How to Request Free Catalogs from Any Company
Thousands of American companies still produce and mail free print catalogs. Getting them delivered to your home is usually simple — but the process is not always obvious. Here is how it works.
Print catalogs are not extinct. Hundreds of specialty retailers, seed companies, outdoor outfitters, food producers, and gift sellers continue to invest in high-quality print catalogs because they work. Customers who receive a catalog tend to order more and order more often than those who find a company only online.
Most catalogs are free. The company absorbs the production and postage cost because they expect that mailing cost to pay for itself in orders. Getting one sent to you is almost always possible if you know how to ask.
The two main ways to get on a catalog mailing list
Companies add names to their mailing lists in two main ways: through direct requests and through purchases. If you buy from a catalog company, you will almost certainly continue receiving their catalog for at least a year or two without doing anything else. If you have not purchased from them, you need to request it.
Method 1: Request through their website. Most catalog companies have a “request a catalog” or “free catalog” link on their website, usually found in the footer or under a “Customer Service” section. Click it, enter your name and mailing address, and submit. The catalog usually arrives within two to four weeks.
Method 2: Call their customer service line. If you cannot find a catalog request form on the website, a single call to their customer service number will usually do it. Say you found the company online and would like to receive their print catalog. This rarely takes more than two minutes.
Categories with the most active catalog programs
| Category | Typical catalog volume | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Seeds & plants | High | Often highly illustrated; free with request |
| Outdoor & workwear apparel | High | Many specialty brands still rely on print |
| Specialty foods & gifts | Moderate-high | Seasonal catalogs common (holiday editions) |
| Crafts & hobby supplies | Moderate | Long product lists suit print well |
| Health & wellness products | Moderate | Direct-mail focused; watch for subscription traps |
| Collectibles & gifts | Moderate | Often targeted to specific demographics |
| Farm supplies | Active | Rural-targeted; comprehensive product ranges |
What happens after you request a catalog
Once you are on a mailing list, you will typically receive the next scheduled issue and then continue receiving future issues on the company’s publication cycle, which might be annually, seasonally, or monthly depending on how active the company’s catalog program is. Your name and address will remain on the list as long as the company believes you are a viable customer, generally for one to three years from your last order or interaction.
Some companies will share or sell their mailing list to other catalog companies. This means requesting one catalog can lead to receiving catalogs from related businesses. If you prefer not to receive unsolicited mail, you can opt out through the DMAchoice service operated by the Data & Marketing Association, which allows you to reduce catalog mailings nationally.
Avoiding the few catalogs that are not free
The majority of consumer product catalogs are mailed at no charge, but a small number of specialty, luxury, or trade catalogs charge a nominal fee — usually $1 to $5 — which is often refunded with your first order. If a catalog requires payment upfront, check that the company is legitimate before providing payment details. Look for a physical address, a working customer service phone number, and a verifiable track record.
When your catalog does not arrive
Catalogs are sent via bulk mail (USPS Marketing Mail), which has lower priority than first-class mail and longer delivery windows. Allow at least three to four weeks from your request before following up. If no catalog has arrived after a month, contact the company directly — it is common for bulk mail pieces to occasionally go astray, and most companies will simply send another.