How to Create an Art Exhibition Catalogue?

TL;DR

• An art exhibition catalogue documents your show and showcases artworks professionally.
• Define purpose, audience, format, and print run before planning.
• Include forewords, essays, artist statements, artwork entries, and captions.
• Use high-resolution images and accurate metadata for consistency.
• Balance text and visuals with clear structure and layout.
• Write in a professional, consistent tone.
• Design with grids, typography, and colour workflows for readability.
• Consider professional printers like Ex Why Zed for quality and reliability

Creating an art exhibition catalogue can be daunting for artists, curators, or galleries. Choosing the right images, organising content, and selecting paper, binding, and printing methods all affect the final quality. A poorly planned catalogue can confuse viewers and undermine your exhibition’s impact.

This guide breaks down the process step by step, offering practical tips on content, design, printing, and budgeting to help you create a professional, polished catalogue that engages your audience and leaves a lasting impression.

What is an Exhibition Catalogue?

An exhibition catalogue is a professional record of an art show. It combines images, essays, and artist statements into a publication that documents the exhibition and promotes the work.

Learning how to create an art exhibition catalogue starts with understanding that it’s more than a brochure; it’s a long-term resource for collectors, curators, and audiences.

How to Create an Art Exhibition Catalogue?

Creating an exhibition catalogue is more than just compiling artwork images. It’s about producing a professional record that documents, explains, and elevates your show. For artists, curators, and galleries, a well-structured catalogue becomes a key tool for marketing, scholarship, and legacy building. The following step-by-step guide will help you create a catalogue that is clear, professional, and engaging.

Step 1: Define Purpose and Scope

Before starting the content, it’s essential to determine the purpose of your catalogue. An exhibition catalogue is a structured record that combines images, texts, and metadata for research, sales, and archival purposes.

Begin by deciding who your audience is, whether it’s collectors, curators, researchers, or general visitors. Next, set the format, print run, and distribution plan.

Having these parameters in place will give you a clear framework for the rest of the process.

Step 2: Map the Content

Once the purpose is clear, plan out the structure and content of your catalogue. Draft a flat plan that outlines what sections to include, such as a foreword, curatorial essay, artist statement, artwork entries, captions, credits, checklist, bibliography, acknowledgements, and colophon.

Choose a piece of art to feature as the focal point in your catalogue. Mapping the content early ensures that your catalogue flows logically and that each section connects cohesively with the next.

Step 3: Gather Assets and Metadata

The foundation of a professional catalogue lies in high-quality assets. Create a spreadsheet to track essential metadata for each artwork, including title, year, medium, dimensions, photography credits, and usage rights.

Standardise file names, colour profiles, and resolution (300 DPI is recommended). Gathering consistent assets upfront prevents last-minute issues and ensures that both images and data are presentation-ready.

Step 4: Structure Length and Reading Order

With content and assets prepared, focus on the physical layout. Decide on a trim size, grid, and page architecture that balances images and text.

Solo exhibitions typically range from 24 to 40 pages, while larger group shows can reach 64 to 96 pages or more. Maintaining a logical reading order and balanced spreads prevents visual fatigue and keeps the audience engaged.

Step 5: Write Core Texts

Writing should be deliberate and clear. Outline the sections, word counts, and tone for your catalogue. For each piece, provide accurate, concise details, and ensure consistency throughout. Core texts include:

• Artist Statement: Explains the central theme and concept of your work.
• Curatorial Essay: Provides critical interpretation and contextual information.
• Artwork Entries: Include title, medium, year, dimensions, and brief descriptions.
• Supporting Texts: Forewords, acknowledgements, or interviews add depth.

Using a style guide helps maintain clarity and professional tone across all sections.

Step 6: Build Artwork Entries

Organizing each artwork entry carefully is crucial for readability. Include images, catalogue numbers, titles, dates, medium, dimensions, provenance, and notes. Ensure captioning is consistent, and cross-reference each entry with your checklist.

This step combines precision with narrative clarity to make your catalogue both informative and visually coherent.

Step 7: Handle Design and Typography

A clean, well-structured design enhances readability and visual appeal. Set a baseline grid, define margins and gutters, and choose a maximum of two typefaces for headings and body text.

Pay attention to colour management, ensuring accurate CMYK or RGB-to-CMYK conversion. Export print-ready PDFs with bleeds and crop marks for a professional finish.

Step 8: Manage Printing and Production

Selecting the right materials and printing method is key. Choose paper stocks that complement your images and suit your budget. Digital printing works well for short runs and speed, whereas offset printing ensures color fidelity for larger runs.

Consider binding options such as perfect, thread-sewn, or case-bound, and always request a calibrated proof or dummy copy before final production to verify colours, alignment, and finishes.

Step 9: Budget and Set Pricing

Careful budget planning ensures no surprises. Track all hours spent on research, writing, editing, design, image licensing, and production management.

Freelancers and galleries can use a blended pricing approach, base fees for editorial and design work plus per-page rates, with printing costs billed separately. Clearly document inclusions and change fees to avoid misunderstandings.

Step 10: Include Credits, Identifiers, and Compliance

Professional catalogues include proper credits and legal identifiers. Add ISBN or ISBN numbers if retail distribution is planned, a barcode on the back cover, copyright statements, and image permissions.

For digital versions, include alt text for accessibility. Ensuring compliance at this stage saves headaches later.

Step 11: Plan Distribution and Reuse

Distribution is more than shipping copies; it’s about ensuring your catalogue reaches its intended audience. Plan sales in gallery shops, direct online sales, or reviewer copies. Prepare press kits and digital PDF samplers.

Repurpose texts and images for wall labels, websites, and marketing materials to maximise reach.

Step 12: Archiving & Long-Term Preservation

A catalogue’s value extends beyond the exhibition. For archival purposes, store high-resolution digital files and print copies in controlled conditions.

Maintain metadata records, backup files, and document production details. Long-term preservation ensures your catalogue remains a reliable reference for future research, scholarship, and promotional use.

Once you’ve planned your content and layout, seeing the process in action can make it easier. Watch this step-by-step video tutorial to learn how to design and structure a professional exhibition catalogue.

How to Write an Exhibition Catalogue?

Writing an exhibition catalogue requires more than just putting captions under images; it’s about shaping a narrative that gives the audience context, insight, and connection to the work.

When thinking about how to create an art catalog, start by outlining the different types of texts it should contain.

• Artist Statement: Explain the central theme of your work in clear, accessible language.
• Curatorial Essay: Provide critical interpretation, background, and conceptual framing for the exhibition.
• Artwork Entries: For each piece, include title, medium, year, dimensions, and a short description.
• Supporting Texts: Forewords, acknowledgements, or even interviews can add depth and perspective.

Clarity and consistency are key. If you’re deciding what to include in an exhibition catalogue, focus on content that informs without overwhelming. Use a consistent tone, check facts, and align text with high-quality images.

Professional galleries set a strong example. They know that editing, proofreading, and page flow make all the difference between a catalogue that feels polished and one that feels rushed.

For independent artists managing their own publications, working with experienced art printers like Ex Why Zed ensures that both the written content and the design translate seamlessly into print, maintaining professional standards without excessive printing costs.

Ready to bring your catalogue to life? Watch this video guide for expert tips on writing compelling exhibition texts that captivate readers and complement your artwork.

What is the Complete Professional Checklist to Create an Art Exhibition Catalogue?

A truly impactful art exhibition catalogue is the result of careful coordination between curators, writers, designers, and printers. Here’s a professional-level checklist designed to take your catalogue from concept to completion with confidence:

1. Align Catalogue Goals with Exhibition Vision

Before you begin, confirm that your catalogue reflects the theme and objectives of the exhibition. Decide whether it will act as a collectible, a research resource, a sales tool, or all three. Align tone, design, and budget with the exhibition’s curatorial narrative.

2. Create a Content Calendar

Map deadlines for photography, writing, editing, design, and approvals. Account for lead times with printers, especially if you need catalogues ready for opening night. A clear timeline helps keep production on track and prevents last-minute compromises.

3. Assemble a Cross-Functional Team

Identify who will be responsible for writing essays, sourcing images, editing text, and coordinating with printers. If resources allow, hire a copy editor, proofreader, and art director to maintain professional quality.

4. Prioritize Image Quality and Cohesion

Rather than simply collecting artwork images, curate them thoughtfully. Ensure lighting and styling are consistent across all photographs. Decide whether installation shots, behind-the-scenes images, or artist portraits will enhance the narrative.

5. Include a Curatorial Voice

Even if you are producing the catalogue independently, add curatorial commentary that explains why the works of art were selected and how they connect to the exhibition’s theme. This creates a bridge between casual readers and serious researchers.

6. Test Different Layout Options

Print mock spreads early in the design process to evaluate the balance between images and text. Check how works look in full-page vs. grid layouts and make adjustments before finalising page order.

7. Standardise Captions and Terminology

Agree on a single format for titles, dimensions, and media descriptions. For instance, decide whether to use metric or imperial measurements, and whether to include framing dimensions. Consistency signals professionalism.

8. Consider Accessibility

Plan for accessible typography (minimum 10–11pt body text), colour contrast, and descriptive image captions for digital versions. If your catalogue will be shared online, ensure compatibility with screen readers.

9. Plan for International Audiences

If the exhibition has global reach, consider bilingual or multilingual editions. Decide on translation style (side-by-side or separate sections) and leave space in the design to accommodate language variations.

10. Include Contextual Extras

Enrich your catalogue with timelines, maps, or diagrams where relevant. These supporting visuals give readers a deeper understanding of the artistic process and situate the exhibition in a broader cultural or historical framework.

11. Build in Feedback Rounds

Schedule at least two review cycles: one for text (before layout) and one for the final designed pages. Encourage stakeholders to review proofs carefully for typos, image placement issues, or missing credits.

12. Track Your Production Files

Organise all assets into labelled folders: images, text documents, design files, and proofs. Maintain a version-control system so everyone works on the latest approved file. This is especially important if multiple collaborators are involved.

13. Evaluate Post-Exhibition Use

Think beyond the show dates. Will you sell copies at future events, send them to critics, or archive them in libraries? Order a small surplus so the catalogue continues to work as a marketing tool and legacy piece after the exhibition closes.

Want to make sure nothing is overlooked? Watch this video for a complete, step-by-step professional checklist to create an art exhibition catalogue that looks polished and cohesive.

How Do You Print Your Catalogue with Confidence?

Once your content and design are ready, the final step is finding a printer you can trust. That’s where Ex Why Zed comes in. Specializing in artist catalogues, zines, and self-published books, they make the process simple; just send over a print-ready PDF, and their team will guide you through papers, bindings, and finishes.

With fast turnaround, free file checks, eco-friendly printing, and worldwide delivery, Ex Why Zed has built a reputation among artists, galleries, and students for producing professional exhibition catalogues on any budget. Whether you need a one-off test copy or a large print run, their expertise ensures your catalogue looks as impressive in print as it does on screen.

Ready to get started? Contact us today to discuss your project and get a free, no-obligation quote.

Conclusion

Crafting an art exhibition catalogue is both an art and a science. It requires careful planning, thoughtful writing, and meticulous design to create a publication that accurately documents the exhibition while highlighting the artworks and the creative vision behind them.

A well-executed catalogue not only serves as a professional record but also extends the reach of your exhibition, engaging collectors, curators, and audiences long after the show ends.

By following these structured steps, from defining purpose and mapping content to production and distribution, you can produce a catalogue that is visually compelling, informative, and built to stand the test of time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when creating an art exhibition catalogue?

Common mistakes include using low-resolution images, having an unclear or weak introductory essay, and inconsistent formatting. Forgetting a detailed table of contents can also make the exhibition catalog difficult to navigate, diminishing its usefulness for readers trying to find specific artworks or essays.

How can I self-publish and print an art exhibition catalogue on a budget in the UK?

To self-publish on a budget, research online and local printing services for competitive quotes. Opt for print-on-demand to avoid large upfront costs. You can also save money by choosing standard paper sizes, simpler binding options, and limiting color printing to pages featuring artworks.

What referencing style should I use for citations in an art exhibition catalogue?

While there is no single required style, many art historians use MLA or The Chicago Manual of Style. The most important thing is to choose one style and apply it consistently for all footnotes and the bibliography throughout the exhibition catalogue.

How do galleries and museums prepare and publish catalogs and books?

Galleries and museums follow a structured process to produce professional publications. From curatorial planning, photography, and text editing to design, proofing, and printing, they ensure accuracy, quality, and visual appeal. This illustrates a model for how to make an exhibition catalogue effectively.

How many pages in an exhibition catalogue?

Exhibition catalogues vary in length depending on the show’s size. Solo exhibitions often range from 24 to 40 pages, while larger group shows can reach 60 to 100 pages. Planning page count carefully is key to understanding how to make an exhibition catalogue.

How much should I charge for creating an art catalog?

Planning an exhibition involves defining purpose, selecting artworks, arranging space, and considering audience experience. Budget, content, and catalogue production must also be considered. Effective planning ensures a cohesive presentation and guides artists on how to make an exhibition catalogue.

How can I make my own exhibition?

Creating your own exhibition requires curating artworks, designing layout, writing texts, and producing marketing materials. Preparing a professional catalogue, coordinating printing, and managing distribution are essential steps, demonstrating practical guidance on how to make an exhibition catalogue independently.

What to write in an exhibition catalogue?

An exhibition catalogue should include a foreword, curatorial essay, artist statement, artwork descriptions, captions, and credits. Add contextual information, timelines, and acknowledgements to guide readers and provide a deeper understanding of the exhibition.

What are the printing options for exhibition catalogues?

Exhibition catalogues can be printed using digital printing for short runs or offset printing for larger volumes with precise color matching. Choose paper stocks, finishes, and binding styles, saddle stitch, perfect binding, or hardcover, based on budget and presentation needs.

Why catalogues are good for exhibitions?

Catalogues preserve the exhibition’s narrative, offering visitors a tangible takeaway and researchers a long-term reference. They boost artist visibility, aid in marketing, and serve as a professional record that can engage collectors, curators, and future audiences.

Are there any recommended templates for designing an art exhibition catalogue?

Yes, many designers use templates from Adobe InDesign, Canva, or Affinity Publisher. Look for clean grid-based layouts with space for high-quality images, captions, and essays to keep the catalogue professional and easy to navigate.