Free Catalogue Design Proposal Template
A catalogue design proposal covers the print scope, process, deliverables, proof rounds, pricing, and sign-off so a press-ready package can go to the printer.
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A catalogue goes to print, and the buyer needs to know the pages will come back from offset the way they approved them, not with muddy blacks, dull images, or margins that drift. This catalogue design proposal gives that certainty by spelling out how the file gets built, checked, and handed off, so the last-mile details don’t get decided in a rush.
The proposal reads in the order a production job actually runs, from The short version and How we work into the specific handoff pieces like print-ready PDFs, preflight notes, and the spec sheet a printer can quote from. The layout sits on an olive-brass and deep indigo palette with Space Grotesk headings over Inter body text, so the page feels like a proof stamp instead of a mood board.
- The short version Frames what gets delivered and what the proposal covers, including scope, process, timings, proof rounds, and cost.
- How we work Explains the production process from locking the system through building the InDesign file and preparing for prepress, so approvals happen before pages multiply.
- What it costs Prices the single line item and gives the client one clear number to approve, with your price replacing the placeholder amount.
- Getting started Holds the signature and fee summary, so the client can sign and the job can move into the production slot.
- Proof rounds Defines what counts as a round, how extra rounds are billed, and how scope changes get re-priced before extra work starts.
The What it costs section carries one priced item, and the client accepts online so the scope and payment schedule in Who does what becomes the shared reference for proof rounds, handoff checks, and final delivery.
We went from spending hours on every proposal to creating fully customized ones in under 5 minutes. That's not an exaggeration - we timed it.
What this proposal contains
| Part | What it covers |
|---|---|
The short version | Summarises the job in plain terms, then states what the proposal covers so scope, process, timings, proof rounds, and cost sit in one place. |
About us | Explains the studio’s production-led background and why the handoff includes preflight checks, licensing awareness, and printer-ready exports. |
Who you will work with | Clarifies that a two-person studio runs the work, so the same people handle production and printer communication. |
Selected work | Gives short examples of catalogue and book production work, so the client can match the proposal to relevant past outcomes. |
Exhibition catalogue rebuild | Describes a takeover where masters, styles, margins, and bleeds get rebuilt to reach a press-ready export a printer can impose. |
Photo-heavy museum book | Covers a grid and image-prep approach aimed at consistent CMYK tone and predictable blacks and overprints across spreads. |
Small publisher first run | Shows a full layout and print-pack delivery, including a client quote about passing prepress and handling proof changes clearly. |
How we work | Breaks down the working method from confirming printer requirements through building the layout system, proofs, and prepress prep. |
Print-ready interior pdf | Lists the press-ready interior PDF/X export, cover file with spine and back, and a one-page print spec sheet for quoting and checks. |
Preflight report notes | Adds a checklist of verified items and flagged risks, plus an editorial style sheet and an InDesign template build for future editions. |
What it costs | Includes a priced item table for Catalogue layout + preflight, with the client selecting acceptance based on the tier described in the text. |
Getting started | Carries the signature and fee summary, so the client can sign and the project can start on the agreed scope. |
Who does what | Splits responsibilities across the two-person team, then states the payment schedule and what the client and printer need to provide. |
Proof rounds | Defines proof rounds, the hourly rate for extra rounds, and how scope changes or halfway takeovers get audited and re-priced. |
Who it is for
Print and editorial designers, studios handling catalogue production, and teams producing exhibition or museum publications that need a press-ready handoff and clear proof control.
Questions about this proposal template
What should a catalogue design proposal include?
A catalogue design proposal usually includes scope, the production process, deliverables, proof rounds, pricing, and sign-off. This one also spells out print-ready exports, preflight notes, and a print spec sheet for the printer.
How do you describe proof rounds in a design proposal?
A proof round works best when the proposal defines what counts as one round and how feedback gets compiled and applied. This template states that a round is one compiled set of changes applied once, with extra rounds billed hourly.
Can a designer take over an existing InDesign file partway through?
A halfway takeover is possible, but the proposal should set expectations about an audit and what needs rebuilding before a press-ready export is signed off. This template says the file gets audited first, then styles, links, and document setup are rebuilt or verified before final export.
What does a printer need for a press-ready PDF handoff?
Printers typically need confirmed specs like trim size, stock, binding, colour intent, and finishing, plus a press-ready PDF export that matches those requirements. This proposal includes a print-ready interior PDF/X, a cover file built to spine and stock, and a one-page spec sheet.
How do you handle scope changes on a catalogue once production starts?
A proposal needs to name the changes that affect work, like page count, trim size, binding, or image volume, and say when pricing gets updated. This template says the price gets updated before the extra work starts and keeps changes tracked in one place.
Do you need a signature on a design proposal before starting print production?
A signature helps lock the scope and payment schedule before the work moves into prepress and printer coordination. This template includes an online signature block in the Getting started section so acceptance is recorded in the document.
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