Soap Opera: How Print Catalogs Tell Pacha Soap Co.’s Story

Founded in 2011, Pacha Soap Co. was born out of an experience co-founder Andrew Vrbas had on vacation in Peru. After seeing a need for better sanitation, along with education and economic opportunities, Vrbas’ solution was a clean one – literally.

Over a decade later, Pacha Soap Co. is still innovating and inspiring as the brand concocts irresistible products while challenging the notion of what an ethical business is and does. To help with the first part, they’ve turned typical product catalogs into a feast for the senses – the imagery practically Instagrams itself.

Raising the bar on print catalogs was, like so many of the company’s endeavors, a purposeful tactic and a creative priority to “ensure our brand is reflected in the design. We try to make things vibrant and fun with a touch of handcrafted-ness,” said Design Manager Hannah Adams.

Choosing Smartpress for their catalog printing was another one of those purposeful tactics. With premium paper stocks and finishes that highlight all of the sudsy selections and product specs, Adams and the team were able to convey the right message.

“We want our catalogs to appear professional and clean,” she said. “Saddle stitch helps convey that,” along with the coated gloss – white 80# cover stock and 80# text stock for the interior pages.

And while their online presence is an enviable one (trust us, you’ll want to Like every post), Pacha Soap Co. knows a physical catalog is an invaluable marketing workhorse.

“We sell a majority of our products to retailers, so it’s important to have a physical catalog available for moments where our sales team encounters a new connection in-person,” said Adams.

Hint: Need more inspo before you do your own online printing? Here you go:

• Catalog Printing: How to Choose the Right Format for Your Business
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With naturally-derived ingredients and transparent supply chains that support local economies, Pacha Soap Co. definitely lives up to its “Made Good. Feel Good. Do Good.” motto. All three values are on display in their annual report (yep, their print plan goes beyond custom catalogs).

With Smartpress’ business printing services, they were able to put a spotlight on the “Do Good.” part in particular. Opting for the same paper stock and paper weight as their print catalogs (if it ain’t broke, right?), their annual report fits right in with their cohesive branding while providing essential information.

“We believe it’s important to reflect on and celebrate our work,” said Adams. “The annual report summarizes a ton of work that happens throughout the company, from our mission, to operations, to events we attend. It’s also a great way for our consumers and external partners to learn more about us.”

The custom options in Smartpress’ online print shop let Adams design a layout so effective, you’d think you were flipping through one of their catalogs. Each page features enticing imagery and strategically-sized text that’s easy to digest (and makes partners more likely to invest).

Pacha Soap Co. is more than bars of soap, so naturally, their print marketing is more than print catalogs. Custom printing with Smartpress lets the brand cover it all. Or in the case of their blend tags, uncover it all.

“Our bar soaps are sometimes sold ‘naked,’ meaning no sticker,” said Adams of the in-store assets. “The blend tags call out the product name, key ingredient and ingredient lists, so when a consumer is shopping our product on a bulk table, they see all of the important information.”

Created by customizing Smartpress’ cards, Adams also took advantage of our Versions feature, which allowed her to print multiple blend tags with various content at the same time. From Spearmint Lemongrass to Dirty Hippie, all of their bars were accounted for in one simple order.

Along with a trade show postcard that included a brand statement and social shoutouts, Pacha Soap Co.’s marketing suite was complete with package inserts of the laser die-cut variety.

Proving once again that a card is so much more than the greeting kind, Adams turned hers into note cards with a fluid, wave-like design along the top.

“We use them to write notes to customers,” she said. “They’re a standard note card that can be used as a thank you card or a simple letter card. We love die-cut anything!” It’s a personal touch that any brand can benefit from.