Before deciding, it helps to understand the real cost of each option.

Option 1: Freelance designer

Usually priced per page. The advantage is bespoke design, but there are two problems: a fee for every revision, and dependency on the designer's availability.

Option 2: Advertising agency

Higher quality and more polished work, but several times the cost. Sensible for large brands, rarely justified for a typical wholesaler.

Option 3: Online tool

A fixed, much lower cost with unlimited edits and no waiting. The limitation is that the design comes from ready-made templates.

The hidden cost people forget

The biggest cost is being out of date. A catalog that hasn't been updated in two years because revisions cost money confuses customers with wrong prices and loses sales.

Practical advice

If you have many products that change often, an online tool is more economical. If you want one distinctive, static brand catalog, a designer is the better choice.