Free Ribbon Samples By Mail A Guide To Requesting Complimentary Ribbon Samples

Free ribbon samples offer crafters, event planners, and businesses the opportunity to evaluate product quality before making purchase commitments. Several companies provide complimentary ribbon samples through mail-in programs, allowing consumers to assess colors, materials, and widths for their projects. This guide examines the available options for requesting free ribbon samples by mail, including eligibility requirements, processing times, and important considerations when requesting these complimentary products.

Companies Offering Free Ribbon Samples

Two primary companies provide free ribbon samples to interested customers: Print My Ribbon and May Arts. Each company has specific requirements, limitations, and processing times for sample requests.

Print My Ribbon

Print My Ribbon offers a free ribbons sample packet through their sampling program. The company has over 20 years of experience providing personalized ribbons suitable for various purposes including weddings, commercial advertising, retail packaging, gift wrapping, and branding. Their sample program allows potential customers to evaluate their products before making a purchase decision.

To request a sample packet, interested individuals must fill out an online form available through authorized platforms such as Freeflys or directly through Print My Ribbon's website. The sample packet contains various ribbon options that showcase the company's different styles, widths, and colors available for customization.

May Arts

May Arts provides complimentary ribbon samples to help customers determine which colors, materials, or widths will work best for their projects or stores. The company offers a more structured sample program with specific limitations:

• Sample requests are limited to 12 samples per customer, per month
• Samples are traditionally six inches in length
• Sample requests are processed separately from wholesale orders
• Samples are sent via regular mail (USPS) in a May Arts branded envelope

May Arts does not provide samples of discontinued items or items 5 yards or under, including their Deck The Halls ribbons. The company clarifies that sample requests are not considered orders.

Request Process and Requirements

The process for requesting free ribbon samples varies slightly between companies but generally involves a straightforward online form submission.

Print My Ribbon Sample Request Process

To request a sample packet from Print My Ribbon:

1. Access the sample request form through an authorized platform
2. Complete the required information in the form
3. Submit the request

Print My Ribbon's sample packets are distributed through partnerships with platforms like Freeflys and VonBeau, which serve as guides to free offers and deals.

May Arts Sample Request Process

May Arts has a more detailed sample request process:

1. Visit the May Arts website
2. Navigate to the sample request section
3. Select up to 12 ribbon samples
4. Complete the sample request form
5. Submit the request

May Arts processes sample requests separately from wholesale orders, and due to demand, requests take a minimum of 7 business days to process and put in the mail. Samples are sent via regular mail (USPS) in a May Arts branded envelope.

Processing and Delivery Times

Understanding the timeframes for sample processing and delivery is important for planning projects and setting expectations.

Print My Ribbon Timeframes

Print My Ribbon samples may take 2 to 8 weeks to arrive in the mail. The samples are shipped directly from the brand, not from the platform through which the request was made. Freeflys, which features Print My Ribbon's sample offer, notes that patience is required as processing times can vary.

May Arts Timeframes

May Arts specifies that samples take a minimum of 7 business days to process and put in the mail. However, the company notes that these timeframes are guidelines and may fluctuate based on season. Since the sample service is free, May Arts does not guarantee specific delivery windows.

The company also provides a special notice regarding their busiest season: August-December is their peak time for holiday ribbon orders. As a small business with limited personnel, they prioritize getting paid orders out first and have personnel cut sample requests when possible. During these months, samples can take an extra 1-2 weeks to be put in the mail.

Special Considerations

When requesting free ribbon samples, there are several special considerations to keep in mind:

Silk Ribbon Variations

May Arts provides special guidance regarding silk ribbon samples. They explain that samples of silk ribbon should be considered guidelines only because dye lots can vary between batches. Since silk is an organic material affected by environmental factors during dyeing, some variation is natural. May Arts takes efforts to keep dye lots within an acceptable variance range and updates pictures online when new batch variances occur.

Seasonal Demand

The demand for ribbon samples, particularly from May Arts, increases significantly during the holiday season (August-December). This seasonal peak can affect processing times, with samples potentially taking an additional 1-2 weeks to be put in the mail during this period.

Sample Limitations

Both companies have limitations on their sample offerings:

• Print My Ribbon does not specify sample limitations beyond what is included in their sample packet
• May Arts limits customers to 12 samples per month and does not provide samples of discontinued items or items 5 yards or under

Tips for Successful Sample Requests

To maximize the chances of receiving free ribbon samples successfully:

1. Request samples as soon as possible, as many sample offers are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis
2. Be patient with delivery times, especially during peak seasons
3. Follow the specific request procedures for each company
4. Consider the seasonal variations in processing times, particularly for holiday periods
5. Remember that sample requests are separate from paid orders and may be prioritized differently

Other Free Sample Opportunities

While this guide focuses specifically on ribbon samples, it's worth noting that numerous other companies offer free samples by mail across various categories including beauty products, food, pet care, baby supplies, and household goods. Many of these follow similar request processes and have comparable timeframes for delivery.

Some companies offer full-size products as samples rather than smaller portions. Survey platforms like FreeCash, Earn Haus, InboxDollars, KingOpinion, and Swagbucks may also provide opportunities to earn free products or gift cards that can be used to purchase ribbons and other craft supplies.

Conclusion

Free ribbon samples by mail provide valuable opportunities for crafters, event planners, and businesses to evaluate products before purchase. Print My Ribbon and May Arts both offer sample programs with specific requirements, limitations, and processing times. Understanding these details can help set appropriate expectations and ensure successful sample requests.

When requesting ribbon samples, it's important to consider processing times, especially during peak seasons, and to be aware of any special considerations such as silk ribbon dye lot variations. By following the proper request procedures and being patient with delivery, consumers can take advantage of these complimentary offerings to make informed purchasing decisions.

Sources

1. Free Ribbons Sample Pack - Freeflys
2. May Arts Sample Request Page
3. Free Samples by Mail - Money Pantry
4. Free Ribbons Sample Packet - VonBeau