For 2019, we here at Calaméo have been working on a little something different. Today we are proud to announce the first issue of our new CALAMEO Magazine!
Browse the first-ever issue of CALAMEO Mag to check out interviews with some of our team, digital publishing stats, news and tips:
It’s no secret that we’re fans of magazines—we love getting lost in pages of great stories, beautiful images and sleek design. We’re excited to present our own digitally published magazine so that readers can get to know more about our platform, our company and our industry.
Plus, our state-of-the-art HTML5 viewer and innovative conversion technology make flipping through the CALAMEO Mag a great experience, if we do say so ourselves!
We’ve followed our own best advice and used the Calaméo Editor to add links, video and more. We even whipped up a custom Skin to show off the new magazine!
We hope that you enjoy reading the first issue of the CALAMEO Mag as much as we enjoyed making it. Keep your eyes open for our next issue, coming soon!
Don’t forget to tag us @calameo when sharing your publications on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn! Use the hashtag #CalameoCoversClub to let us know you’d like to be considered for our homepage.
There’s a big change happening on Calaméo in 2021. That’s right—our new and improved “2021” viewer theme has launched. Find out everything you need to know about the “2021” theme!
What is the “2021” theme?
The “2021” theme is a new viewer interface for your publications on Calaméo. It should look familiar: we’ve based “2021” on the classic “Default” option. But the new theme offers you lots of improvements. First and foremost, our tech team has rebuilt the viewer for maximum comfort, usability and efficiency. You’ll notice that browsing is smoother, close reading is easier and—of course—that your publications look great.
What’s new?
Here are just a few of the updates you’ll enjoy in the “2021” theme:
More space for your documents in the viewer
Publisher’s choice of Book, Slide or Scroll mode
Improved navigation tools
Helpful Index mode to access thumbnails at a glance
Larger, streamlined buttons and icons
Intuitive zoom controls
New “Made with Calaméo” viewer watermark
Cohesive mobile experience
We think you’ll find “2021” simple to use, with the great features you’re used to like in-text search, custom logos and direct downloads. Check out an example below to see the new theme in action!
Can I still use the classic Calaméo themes?
If you are a PREMIUM or PLATINUM user, you can continue to use the classic Calaméo themes with your publications. To select a theme, go to the Design tab of your publication’s properties. Next, choose the theme you wish to use from the drop-down menu. Finally, click the green “PUBLISH” button to save your selection.
BASIC users do not have access to the classic Calaméo themes. However, BASIC users are free to define Book, Slide or Scroll mode for their publications in the “2021” theme.
What about changing the background?
Changing the viewer background is a feature exclusive to our PREMIUM and PLATINUM plans. As a result, BASIC users may not modify the background color or image in the “2021” theme.
PREMIUM and PLATINUM users should see no disruption to their existing publications and customization elements. You can make use of your custom logos, backgrounds and viewer themes as usual! For those planning to choose “2021” for upcoming publications, it’s important to be aware that your logo will be automatically resized in this theme. Therefore, we recommend using a horizontal version of your logo, in .PNG format with a transparent background.
Please note that BASIC users will no longer be able to display custom backgrounds for their publications.
What else do I need to know?
We’re delighted to be bringing the “2021” theme to all of our users and we hope that you find it modern, practical and fun. While you’re getting to know the new theme, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns! You can write to us at contact@calameo.com or visit our Help Center to submit a request. Plus, stay tuned for details about more changes coming to viewer themes right here on Calaméo.
For years, downloadable PDFs have been the default format for presenting product catalogs. Convenient? Sure. But far from ideal—heavy files, limited interactivity, difficult to browse on mobile, and above all… they fail to showcase your brand’s full potential. Today’s readers expect a smooth, dynamic experience directly online. And that’s where Calaméo changes the game.
In this article, discover why your catalog deserves more than a simple PDF—and how you can transform it into a truly immersive experience with Calaméo.
The PDF: A static format that limits the user experience
A catalog isn’t just a list of products—it’s a full-fledged marketing asset. Yet the downloadable PDF format comes with key limitations:
No interactivity: no clickable links, no videos, no animations.
Not mobile-friendly: a print-designed PDF quickly becomes unreadable on a small screen.
No flexibility: impossible to add dynamic elements or update content easily.
The result? Readers lose interest faster, and your catalog falls short of the modern experience your customers expect.
Turn your catalog into an interactive experience with Calaméo
With Calaméo, you can publish catalogs directly online, with a polished and immersive reading experience. Here’s how your content reaches a new level:
Smooth and intuitive navigation: Calaméo offers natural page-by-page reading with dynamic page flips and a web-optimized interface.
Clickable links to boost conversions: Add links to direct readers to your website, product pages, or even checkout. With Shopping Links and Shopify integration, users can view product pages and purchase in just a few clicks.
Embedded videos, audio, and animations: Showcase your products in action with demo videos, animated GIFs, zoom zones, and more—bringing your catalog to life.
A perfect mobile experience: Unlike PDFs, Calaméo publications automatically adapt to all devices—desktop, tablet, and smartphone.
Easily optimize the reach of your catalog
Publishing with Calaméo goes far beyond simply putting a document online—everything is designed to increase visibility.
Embed on your website: Add your catalog in just a few clicks—ideal for product pages or your online shop.
Shareable on social media: Each publication has a unique URL, ready to share on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, or via email.
Unlike downloadable PDFs, Calaméo gives you access to detailed analytics:
most-viewed pages
time spent per page
clicks on interactive elements
and more!
These insights help you understand what works, improve future editions, and better understand your audience.
Pro tip: You can also link your Calaméo account to Google Analytics 4 or Matomo to centralize all your stats in one place.
Conclusion
Your catalog is a strategic asset—it should captivate, inform, and convert. The downloadable PDF, while useful, no longer meets today’s expectations. With Calaméo, you deliver a modern, interactive, and engaging experience while maximizing content impact.
Pro tip: You can also link your Calaméo account to 
Ready to bring your catalog to life?