PBLISH/Docs Open App
Product Management

Catalogs

A Catalog is the visual and distributable output of PBLISH. It combines a data feed, a design template, a target platform, and a canvas size to automatically generate product ad images on a schedule. It exposes a permanent public URL that ad platforms can fetch on demand.

What is a Catalog?

When you create a catalog in PBLISH, you are configuring an automated pipeline that:

  1. 1Reads your product data from the linked feed on the configured schedule
  2. 2Loops through every product (or every product in a selected Set) and renders an image using your design template, substituting dynamic variables like {{price}}, {{name}}, {{image}}, {{brand}}, {{discount_amount}}, etc.
  3. 3Packages all generated images into a platform-formatted catalog feed
  4. 4Updates the permanent public URL so that the ad platform always receives the latest version on its next fetch
The magic link principle
The public feed URL is permanent and never changes. You paste it into your ad platform once. Every subsequent generation cycle updates the content behind that URL automatically. The ad platform fetches fresh data on its own schedule without any action from you.

Creating a Catalog

Navigate to Catalogs in the left sidebar and click Add Catalog +. A modal dialog will appear with the catalog configuration fields.

Add Catalog modal, platform selection
The Add Catalog dialog: enter a name, select your feed, optionally filter to a product set, choose the target platform, and select the canvas size.
FieldRequiredDescription
Catalog NameYesA descriptive name (e.g., "Facebook Square / Summer 2025")
Select FeedYesThe data feed that powers this catalog
Select SetOptionalFilter to a specific product set instead of the full feed
PlatformYesThe social network this catalog targets
Platform SizeYesCanvas dimensions for the generated images

Platform Sizes

Each platform supports specific canvas sizes optimized for different ad placements. PBLISH offers the following standard sizes:

Platform size selection square landscape story
The Platform Size dropdown: square (1080×1080), landscape (1200×630), and story (1080×1920).
Size NameDimensionsBest PlatformsTypical Use
Square1080 × 1080Facebook Instagram TikTokFeed posts, catalog ads, product showcases
Landscape1200 × 630Facebook Google AdsLink ads, display banners, news feed ads
Story1080 × 1920Instagram Snapchat TikTokStories, Reels, full-screen vertical ads

Catalog Setup Guide

After creating a catalog, the platform displays a Catalog Setup Guide with four sequential steps that must be completed before the catalog becomes active. Each step shows its current status (Completed, Pending, Inactive, or Not Ready Yet).

Catalog Setup Guide four steps
The Catalog Setup Guide: Step 1 (Catalog Created) is automatically completed. Step 2 requires you to create a design template before generation can begin.
1
Step 1: Catalog Created Auto-completed

Completed automatically when you click Add. Records the catalog name, creation timestamp, and configuration.

2
Step 2: Create Template Manual action required

Click the Create Template button to open the visual design editor. Build your ad layout using dynamic variable placeholders from your feed. Once saved, this step is marked complete.

3
Step 3: Generate Images Automatic after template

Once the template is ready and the catalog is active, image generation runs automatically on the next scheduled cycle. This step shows the last generation timestamp and any errors encountered.

4
Step 4: Ready to Use Auto-completed after generation

When all images have been generated successfully, the catalog becomes ready and the Public Feed URL is revealed. Copy this URL and paste it into your ad platform.

Completed Catalog & Public Feed URL

Once all four setup steps are complete, the catalog status changes to Completed and the Public Feed URL becomes visible. This is the permanent magic link you paste into your ad platform.

Completed catalog with Public Feed URL
All four steps completed. The PUBLIC FEED URL is now active and ready to use.
How the magic link works
The Public Feed URL is a permanent endpoint hosted by PBLISH. When your ad platform fetches this URL (according to its own refresh schedule), PBLISH serves the most recently generated catalog data. On every generation cycle, PBLISH updates the content behind this URL, so the link itself never changes, but the data it returns always reflects your latest products.

Creating Multiple Catalogs from One Feed

One of PBLISH's most powerful capabilities is the ability to create multiple catalogs from a single feed. Each catalog can target a different platform, use a different canvas size, or apply a different design template while using the same underlying product data.

For example, from a single "Electronics" feed you might create:

  • A Facebook square (1080×1080) catalog with a bold price-focused template
  • A TikTok square catalog with a minimal, lifestyle-focused template
  • An Instagram story (1080×1920) catalog for vertical ad placements
  • A Snapchat story catalog with a different color scheme

All four catalogs update automatically on the same schedule as the feed, and each has its own permanent public URL to paste into the respective ad platform.

Updating Feeds and Templates

Both the feed data and the catalog template can be updated at any time. Changes take effect on the next scheduled generation cycle:

  • Feed data changes (e.g., new prices in your Google Sheet): Reflected in the next generation cycle automatically
  • Template design changes: Save the updated template and it will be applied to all products in the next generation cycle
  • Column mapping changes: Updated mapping is applied on the next sync and generation cycle
No manual regeneration needed
You never need to manually trigger a regeneration after making changes. PBLISH detects all changes and applies them on the next scheduled cycle. The public feed URL will serve updated content automatically.
Previous
Column Mapping