Wholesaling: Top Tips for Building Your Catalog

Catalogs are an important and necessary sales tool for your wholesale business. But they are also expensive and time-consuming to produce so you want to make them as effective as possible.

Whether you’re attending tradeshows or sending samples to stores, a catalog is a must-have. Let’s take a closer look at three things you MUST have in your catalog:

1. CONTACT INFORMATION.

Make it super easy for a buyer to contact you. Include your email, phone and URL on every single page. The footer is a good spot to put this.

2. WHOLESALE TERMS & CONDITIONS.

Clearly lay out how much they have to spend to place an order with you, MOQ, turn around times, payment methods accepted, and your policies on returns & exchanges. Be stronger in writing, then flexible in practice.

3. PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS.

If they don't know what you're selling, how to use it and the specs of your product, why would they buy it? When in doubt, opt for clear & concise product descriptions versus witty & fun. And, be sure to have great photos & product thumbnails!

Remember that your catalog is a critical sales tool when selling wholesale. It does the job when you aren't there in person with the buyer. Having a printed catalog makes you look polished, professional and tells buyers that you're serious about your business.

For more information, you can watch my short video or take my CreativeLive course about catalogs.

Connect with Katie Hunt

Katie Hunt is a business strategist, podcaster, mentor and mama to four. She helps product based businesses build profitable, sustainable companies through her conferences, courses and coaching programs.

Website: prooftoproduct.com | Instagram: @prooftoproduct

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2025 State of the Product Industry Report

Every founder I know has wondered:
How much are other brands making? What tech are they using? How big are their teams? Are they paying themselves yet?

And even though every business journey looks different, it's natural to want a peek behind the scenes — especially right now.

The product world is shifting fast.

Rising costs, tariffs, supply chain delays, and changing customer habits are reshaping how we create, market, and sell. We’re all adjusting, recalibrating, and figuring out what growth looks like in this new landscape.

So once again, we decided to check the pulse of the industry.

Over 400 product-based business owners answered the call, generously sharing insights for the 2025 State of the Product Industry Report.

We heard from brand new founders and seasoned six- and seven-figure businesses. They shared how much they’re earning, paying themselves, where they’re selling, how they’re building teams, and how they’re feeling about the future.

I hope you find these insights not just interesting — but empowering — as you plan your next moves.

Thank you to everyone who contributed. Your openness helps us track trends, spot opportunities, and better support this amazing industry.

Grab your favorite ☕️, find a cozy spot, and dig in. I’m so glad you’re here.

2024 State of the Product Industry Report

Everyday I hear from product-based business owners who are curious about other people’s business models, their teams, their tech-stack, how much revenue they are earning and what other product business owners pay themselves.

And although we know that every business is different, it is natural to want to see behind the curtain of other brands in your industry.

But it is more than curiosity.

We know the industry has experienced major shifts over the last several years. Everyone has been pivoting and recalibrating.

We're experiencing new normals.

You need to know what’s happening in our industry.

So, the Proof to Product team decided to take an industry-wide temperature check.

And, 925 product based businesses owners answered the call, anonymously sharing their business details with us for the 2024 State of the Product Industry Report

How to Find The Right Manufacturing Partners For Your Wholesale Business

Expanding your wholesale product line can be both exciting and daunting. There are a lot of factors that go into creating a new product and finding the right manufacturing partners to turn your vision into a reality is crucial, particularly if you’re planning to sell the product to the wholesale market. In this article, we’ll guide you step-by-step through the process of finding a product manufacturer that aligns with your product specs, budget, timeline and quality. We also want to make sure our manufacturing partners communicate well, work efficiently and have values that align with our brand.