Free Paper Samples How To Obtain Physical Swatches And Samples For Printing Projects

Introduction

For consumers, designers, and businesses evaluating printing options, obtaining physical paper samples is essential for making informed decisions about print projects. Several companies offer free paper samples, allowing customers to evaluate texture, weight, and print quality before committing to larger orders. While the search query specifically requested information about free blotting paper samples, the available source material primarily focuses on general paper sample programs rather than specialized blotting papers. This article examines the various free paper sample options available to consumers in the United States.

General Paper Sample Programs

PaperDirect

PaperDirect offers a free sample program with a $20 sample budget for customers. Most samples cost $2 each, making them free up to the $20 limit. Customers may receive up to 3 greeting cards free with free shipping and handling. The process involves:

1. Shopping for the desired paper products
2. Clicking on the "Order Free Sample" button
3. Having one item automatically added to the cart

It's important to note that not all products have free samples available. Non-paper products such as trophies and wooden frames are excluded from the sample program. Some paper products with specialty foil colors and inks may not be available as free samples, in which case the base product will be shipped instead.

The program charges a $5 fee for ground shipping in the continental US. Customers receive a $5 coupon to be used toward their next PaperDirect order placed within 30 days. Free samples ship separately from paid orders via 1st Class Mail, with an average shipping time of 5 business days depending on location.

PrintDirtCheap

PrintDirtCheap offers free pre-printed sample packs to demonstrate print quality. The company will send these samples immediately upon request. To obtain the samples:

1. Add the sample pack to the cart
2. Proceed to checkout
3. Create an account or check out as a guest
4. Do not use the PayPal checkout option

The samples ship free when choosing USPS Priority mail to the US and Canada only. Expedited options (UPS 2 Day Air or Next Day Air) are available for an additional fee. The samples are preprinted jobs from other work and include many different generic unbranded samples to showcase print quality.

The sample packs exclude certain items: - Shirts/Other Garments - Pens - Pins and Buttons - Printer Paper - Self Inking Rubber Stamps

PrintDirtCheap notes that custom printed proofs must be ordered separately if needed.

SmallBusinessPrinting

SmallBusinessPrinting provides free paper swatch samples for a wide variety of paper products, including:

• Appointment Cards
• Bookmarks
• Door Hangers
• Flyers
• Folded Cards
• Greeting Cards
• Hang Tags
• Holiday Cards
• Menus
• Presentation Folders
• Rack Cards
• Response Cards
• Rip Cards
• Sell Sheets
• Table Tents
• Thank You Cards
• Tickets
• Custom Orders / ETC...

The company offers a contact number for customers with questions (1-800-454-1092, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm PST).

QinPrinting

QinPrinting provides a free paper sample manual that serves as a comprehensive resource for evaluating paper stocks. The manual is free, but customers pay only the shipping costs from Shanghai to their address. Shipping via FedEx or DHL starts from $28 in the US.

The paper sample manual includes:

• Beautiful, clean samples of all paper stocks, weights, and special finishes available from QinPrinting
• Labeled page samples detailing the name and weight of the stock
• Partial printing with both images and text to demonstrate final print quality
• Different weight samples of popular paper choices: uncoated offset paper, gloss and matte coated paper, C1S paper, and holographic paper
• Various finishes: gloss lamination, matte lamination, soft touch lamination, embossing, debossing, spot UV, and foil stamping

When shipping the paper sample manual, QinPrinting also includes a special printed sample similar to the customer's specific printing product at no extra charge. The company emphasizes that the choice of paper affects the quality, design process, and price of finished printed products, encouraging customers to consult with their experts after reviewing the samples.

Beauty and Specialty Paper Options

While the search query specifically requested information about blotting paper samples, the available source material offers limited information about free samples of this specialized product. Source [4] mentions several blotting paper products but focuses on purchasing options rather than free samples:

• Superdrug Deep Action Mattifying papers (UK only)
• NYX Blemish Control Blotting Paper ($6)
• Mai Couture Vitamin C + E Blotting paper ($10)

None of these sources indicate that free samples of these blotting papers are available. The article primarily discusses pricing and product features rather than sample programs.

Other Free Paper and Printing Samples

Source [6] (Freaky Freddies) lists various free paper and printing related items, though not specifically blotting paper samples:

• Free Rolling Papers (available every month with sign-up)
• Free card stock, invitations, paper and envelopes samples from Cut Card Stock
• Free printed box samples from Value Box Printing
• Free label sample kit from SK Label
• Free custom wine labels from 19 Crimes
• Free label samples from Grace Imaging
• Free personalized bourbon labels from Knob Creek
• Free business card & print sample packs from Overnight Prints

The site includes a disclaimer that all listed items are free to the best of their knowledge and advises caution when providing information online or ordering products.

How to Request Free Paper Samples

Requesting free paper samples generally follows a similar process across different providers:

1. Identify the desired paper products or categories
2. Visit the company's sample request page or product pages
3. Add samples to the cart
4. Proceed to checkout
5. Provide shipping information
6. Select shipping method (often with standard shipping included in the offer)
7. Complete the process without payment (for standard samples)

It's important to review each company's specific terms, as some may require account creation, exclude certain products from sampling, or charge for expedited shipping.

Limitations of Sample Programs

While free paper sample programs offer valuable resources, potential customers should be aware of certain limitations:

1. Product Availability: Not all paper products may be available as samples, particularly those with specialty finishes or customizations.

2. Geographic Restrictions: Some companies may limit free samples to specific regions or countries, with international customers potentially paying higher shipping fees.

3. Shipping Time: Sample shipping may take longer than paid orders, typically 5-7 business days depending on location and carrier.

4. Sample Size: Physical samples may be smaller than full-sized products, which could affect the evaluation of certain paper characteristics.

5. Exclusions: Some companies exclude certain product categories from their sample programs, such as garments, promotional items, or non-paper products.

Conclusion

The provided source material does not contain specific information about free blotting paper samples. Instead, it offers comprehensive details about various free paper sample programs for general printing purposes. Companies like PaperDirect, PrintDirtCheap, SmallBusinessPrinting, and QinPrinting provide free or low-cost paper samples to help customers evaluate print quality before making larger purchases. These programs typically involve a simple online ordering process with minimal costs for shipping. For consumers specifically interested in blotting paper, the available information suggests purchasing options rather than free samples, with products available from brands like NYX and Mai Couture at various price points.

Sources

1. PaperDirect Free Samples
2. PrintDirtCheap Free Sample Pack
3. SmallBusinessPrinting Free Paper Samples
4. Huda Beauty Blotting Papers Article
5. QinPrinting Paper Samples
6. Freaky Freddies Paper Samples