What Is an AR Catalog? A Guide to Adding Video to Print

What an augmented reality (AR) catalog is, how it works and whether readers need an app, plus a step-by-step guide to adding video to your printed catalog.

· 4 min read

The printed catalog is still one of the strongest sales tools there is: it sits on the desk, gets passed around, is handed out at trade fairs and sent to dealers. But it has one limit: a photo only shows a single moment. Paper can't show how a product opens, how it's used or what it really looks like. An AR catalog fills exactly that gap.

What is an AR catalog?

An AR (augmented reality) catalog is a printed catalog where a video plays when a page's photo is scanned with a phone camera. The reader points their phone at a product photo, the phone recognizes it and plays the matching video. The paper stays the same, but every page becomes a door to a video.

The difference from a classic QR code: a QR code is a separate square on the page that takes you to a website. With AR, the photo itself is the trigger. Readers see the video of whatever they are looking at. (We compare the two in detail in QR code or augmented reality?)

What does the reader do? Is an app needed?

AR experiences used to require downloading a special app, which meant most readers gave up. Web-based AR removes that step:

  1. The reader scans the QR code on the cover or first page with their phone camera.
  2. The catalog's page opens in the browser; they tap “Start” and allow the camera.
  3. They point the camera at any photo in the catalog and the video plays right away.

No app, no sign-up, no payment. It works in the browser on iPhone and Android. The QR code is only scanned once to get in; after that, readers simply point the camera at whichever photo they like.

Which catalogs does it work for?

  • Furniture and home decor: the product set up in a room, moving parts, fabric and color options.
  • Machinery and equipment: the machine in operation, setup and maintenance steps. It becomes training material for dealers and field teams.
  • Cosmetics and personal care: how-to application, before and after.
  • Food and drink: recipes, serving suggestions, the production story.
  • Price lists and brochures: new product introductions or campaign films.

Why it works

The product is shown in motion

A photo shows one angle; a video shows the product's real size, material and use. The catalog explains what a sales rep would explain at the table.

It updates without reprinting

You print the catalog once and change the video whenever you like. No reprint for a new campaign, a new color or an updated promo film.

It becomes measurable

The biggest problem with printed catalogs is not knowing how much attention they get. In an AR catalog every scan is counted, so you can see which pages and products draw the most interest in your dashboard.

Do I need to redesign my catalog?

No. Just upload photos of your existing pages. The only addition is a QR code on the cover or first page with a short note inviting readers in, such as “Scan with your phone to bring the products to life.”

Tip: the easiest images to recognize are detailed, high-contrast and free of glare. Before sending to print, go through the AR image checklist.

Step by step: your first AR catalog

  1. Create an account and pick a plan. Your catalog's own address and QR code are created right away.
  2. Add photos and videos. Match a video to each photo. Upload the video as a file or paste a Google Drive / Dropbox link.
  3. Try it on your phone. Scan the QR code and point the camera at the printed page or the photo on screen.
  4. Add the QR code to print. The cover, first page or back cover are the most natural places.

FAQ

How long should the video be?

Short, eye-catching videos work best. The first seconds matter most; 15–45 seconds is enough for most products.

What if the internet connection is weak?

Videos are compressed automatically so they play smoothly on phones. In crowded places like trade fairs it's still a good idea to print the free Wi-Fi details next to the QR code.

Can I use the same photo in different places?

Yes. As long as the photo is the same, the same video plays in the catalog, a brochure or on a poster, and all scans are counted in one place.

For examples specific to product catalogs, see the product catalogs page.

Try it on your own catalog

Publish your first video in minutes, no app required.

Register your business

More articles

7 Ways to Stand Out at a Trade Fair Booth with Images That Play VideoSeven practical ideas to make your booth stand out in a crowded trade fair hall by turning posters, brochures and product images into video with augmented reality.How to Prepare Images AR Recognizes Well: A Pre-Print ChecklistA design and pre-print checklist so phone cameras recognize your printed images quickly and reliably: detail, contrast, surface finish, lighting and look-alike pages.QR Code or Augmented Reality? Which Works Better for Print?The differences, strengths and limits of QR codes and augmented reality (AR), and when to use each one in catalogs, posters and packaging.

← All articles