How-to
How to create a clothing catalog from flat-lay photos
To create a clothing catalog with Alovia, upload flat-lay product photos to the Catalog Builder, set a season and brand tone as your creative brief, then generate on-model photography for every product. Arrange the results into a catalog template and export a print-ready PDF, or publish a shareable flipbook buyers can browse — no photographer or studio required.
To create a clothing catalog with Alovia, upload flat-lay product photos to the Catalog Builder, set a season and brand tone as your creative brief, then generate on-model photography for every product. Arrange the results into a catalog template and export a print-ready PDF, or publish a shareable flipbook buyers can browse — no photographer or studio required.
What do you need to create a clothing catalog from flat-lay photos?
- Flat-lay product photos for each item (or existing product photography)
- Alovia account (free to start)
How do you create a clothing catalog from flat-lay photos?
Start a catalog project
Open the Catalog & Lookbook Builder and choose Create Studio to generate new photography, or the Template Layout Compiler to skip straight to layout with photos you already have.
Set your creative brief
Name your collection, choose a season or sales theme, and set your brand tone — Alovia uses this to generate consistent on-model photography for every product.
Upload products and generate
Upload a flat-lay photo for each product; Alovia renders on-model photography for every item in the catalog automatically.
Arrange the catalog layout
Pick a catalog template, drag products into place, and apply your brand colors, logo, and typography in the built-in design editor — no InDesign required.
Export or publish
Download a print-ready PDF, or publish the catalog as a shareable, interactive flipbook link buyers can browse and order from on any device.
What do brands who create a clothing catalog from flat-lay photos say?
“Shooting hundreds of items on models was financially impossible for us. With Alovia, we automated the whole process using our basic product shots. Our entire 500-SKU catalog now has consistent, professional model photography. Conversion rates jumped 42% in the first month alone. It's a very practical tool that directly impacts the bottom line.”
Jake Peterson
E-commerce Store Owner, STYLE DIRECT
What does it cost to create a clothing catalog from flat-lay photos?
| Line item | Traditional photoshoot | With Alovia | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service agency product photography, per image | $100–$300+ | 5–20 credits, 1K to 4K | |
| Photographer, per day | $1,500–$4,000 | Not required | |
| Model, per day | $500–$2,000 | Not required | |
| Turnaround to edited delivery | 5–10 business days | Minutes | |
| Cost per look | Billed by the day, not per look | 10 credits, about $1.00 per look | |
| What you pay monthly | Not a subscription | $49.99 Starter · $149.99 Pro |
Questions about how to create a clothing catalog from flat-lay photos
Do I need existing product photos to build a catalog?
Yes — you need a flat-lay or plain product photo for each item; Alovia generates the on-model photography from that image. If you already have on-model photography, skip generation entirely and use the Template Layout Compiler to go straight to layout.
What file formats can I export a clothing catalog in?
Export a print-ready PDF for trade shows and email, or publish the catalog as an interactive flipbook at a shareable link that buyers open in any browser — both generated from the same catalog project.
Can I update a catalog after publishing it?
Yes. Return to the design editor anytime to swap images, adjust the layout, or add new products, then republish — the same flipbook link always serves the latest version.
How many credits does generating a clothing catalog cost?
Each product in the catalog costs 10 credits to generate on-model photography for, plus 5 more if you add an optional close-up detail shot for that item — a flat per-product rate regardless of the final page count.
Is there a limit on how many products I can include in one catalog?
A single catalog project generates up to 6 products, each carrying 1 to 6 of its own product images. That is the per-project generation ceiling — build additional catalog projects for a larger collection.
Can I export a catalog directly to Shopify or social media, not just PDF?
Yes — beyond PDF and flipbook, the design editor also exports image packs pre-cropped for Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, and can push generated images straight into your Shopify store's Files library.
Does exporting a catalog as a PDF cost credits?
Yes — downloading a PDF costs 10 credits, deducted at export time. Publishing the same catalog as a flipbook is priced separately, by the publish plan you choose (see "How to publish a digital showroom").
What page size does the catalog PDF export at?
It depends on the template you pick: editorial catalog and lookbook templates export on Tabloid/Ledger landscape pages (17×11"), while wholesale-style templates export on the same paper size in portrait (11×17").
What to read after you create a clothing catalog from flat-lay photos
Ready to create a clothing catalog from flat-lay photos?
Follow these steps inside Alovia — no photoshoot, no studio booking required.
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