The trend for elevating sampling
We have had many conversations over the past few years, months and weeks about the shift in sampling. The importance of books For quite some time now, people have asked whether there is still a place for fabric swatch books and wallpaper sample books; they are large, often cumbersome, take up space and cost money. […]
Wallpaper Sampling: John Mark Naturals Partner with Sampling International
Sampling International are delighted to be chosen as the preferred production partner of the wallpaper sampling for John-Mark Ltd’s new venture, John Mark Naturals. John Mark Naturals by John-Mark Ltd Born from the expertise of John-Mark Ltd, a globally recognised leader in digitally printed wallpaper, John Mark Naturals blend traditional methods with modern processes, creating […]
Four Colour Digital Printing
We are absolutely thrilled to share some exciting news from our Batley HQ! Last week, we welcomed a fantastic new addition to our facility: our brand-new, state-of-the-art four colour digital printer. At Sampling International, we’re always investing in the latest technology for our sampling solutions. We know the market can be tough, and this commitment […]
F.J. Ratchford – Materials That Make Pattern Books Shine
At Sampling International, we understand that the materials that go into your samples and our manufacturing processes make a huge difference to your products, which is why we source only the highest-quality suppliers in the industry. We’d like to introduce you to F.J. Ratchford, a thriving family business operating on a global scale, led by […]
Cost Efficient Sampling
Two of the things we are most passionate about at Sampling International are product sampling and minimising waste. With almost 50 years of manufacturing expertise, and with many of our staff having been with us for in excess of 20 years, we really are the ideal and most experienced industry partner for your sample production. […]
Sample Fulfilment by Sampling International
In today’s fast-paced e-commerce world, getting your product samples into the hands of potential customers quickly and efficiently is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity. The speed and ease with which you deliver those samples can be the deciding factor in converting a browsing visitor into a loyal customer. At Sampling International, we […]
A Fabulous Day Tree Planting to Capture Carbon
Blessed with clear skies and dry weather, on 22 January 2025, our Sales and Marketing Manager, Caroline, accompanied by one of our lovely customers, pulled on her wellies and joined fellow ‘Carbon Captors’, at the historic Smithills Estate in Bolton for a special tree planting event. Smithills Estate is the largest site ever acquired by […]
Carbon Capture – Sustainable Sampling Solutions
At Sampling International, we’re passionate about what we do, and we’re also passionate about protecting our planet. We know climate change is an important issue that deserves attention, and we believe businesses have a responsibility to step up and make a difference. That’s why we’re really excited to be involved in Premier Paper’s Carbon Capture® […]
Happy New Year & A New Look for Sampling International
Happy New Year to you all from the team at Sampling International! As we reflect on 2024, we remember it as a year of significant change. The retirement of our long-standing MD, Stephen Hubbard cannot go without mention, but the business continues on under the experienced and steady hands of Directors Tim and Martin. We’d […]
Sample Prototypes and Innovation: Bringing Your Sampling Vision to Life
At Sampling International, we’re passionate about more than just sampling. We’re committed to innovation and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of sample presentation with sample prototypes that demonstrate your final product. You’ll often hear us talking about supplying prototypes or how innovation is in the DNA of Sampling International, but what […]
Fabric Sampling Solutions: Making the Right Choice
Choosing the Optimal Fabric Sampling Solution When showcasing your fabric collection, selecting the most effective sampling method is crucial for attracting potential customers and minimising waste. Let’s explore some popular options and their ideal applications. Fabric Sample Books Also known as pattern books or swatch books, fabric sample books come in various sizes and styles. […]
Sampling International: Your Partner for Tailored Fabric Presentations
In today’s competitive market, it is essential to present your fabrics in a way that captures attention and drives sales. At Sampling International, we understand that every company and product has unique requirements. That’s why we offer bespoke fabric sampling solutions tailored to your specific needs. Our Expertise With 45 years of experience in the […]
Exhibition Season: A Month of Textile and Design Inspiration
September marks the start of the exhibition season within the textile and design industry, and at Sampling International we love to see our clients showcasing and launching their wonderful new designs and innovative manufacturing methods that keep the industry thriving and keep our homes beautiful. We are honoured to provide our role of taking these […]
Designing the Perfect Wallpaper Sample Book: Beyond the Cover
In our previous blog, we discussed the importance of creating visually stunning wallpaper sample book covers and fittings, as well as effectively incorporating your branding. You can read last month’s blog here. Now, let’s dive into designing the equally crucial aspect of your perfect pattern book: the livery. Over our 46 years of experience in […]
John Mark Ltd on Revolutionising The Wallcovering Industry
Sampling International is proud to be a UK manufacturer and to be part of a thriving and vibrant fabric, wallpaper and paint manufacturing community. This month we shine a light on John Mark ltd. They are an innovative and driving force in digital wallcoverings. Based in Lancashire, we are always pleased to work with them […]
Crafting the Perfect Wallpaper Book: Design Considerations
When creating a wallpaper book, there are several things to consider. Size, cover design, and overall aesthetic play crucial roles in capturing attention and effectively showcasing your collection. Size Matters: Balancing Functionality and Impact While the standard size for a wallpaper book is often 52 cm wide by 40-50 cm high, the ideal dimensions depend […]
A Look Back on Our MD Stephen’s Time at SI Over the Last 46 Years
As Stephen prepares for his retirement, we take a look back at some of the times during his 46 years as MD here at Sampling International. Starting in April 1978, Stephen set out to create a pattern book manufacturing company which is still thriving years later. With just two people initially, the company grew from […]
The Heart of Sampling International: A Look Inside Our Dedicated Sales Team
At Sampling International, we pride ourselves on more than just creating high-quality sampling solutions. We believe in building strong relationships with our customers, understanding their unique needs, and exceeding their expectations. And at the core of this commitment lies our dedicated sales team. A Family Atmosphere, a Shared Passion: One of the most striking themes […]
Siobhan Hannah Murphy a Colourful Journey in Crafting Wallpaper and Fabric Collections
Siobhan Murphy is a British interior and product designer known for her vibrant, playful, and joyful style. With a penchant for transforming spaces from mundane to magnificent, Siobhan’s creative eye for design, pattern, and colour has made her a prominent figure in the world of interiors. Let’s take a closer look at her recent collaboration […]
MEET MICK FROM THE ORDER OFFICE
CELEBRATING 35 YEARS SERVICE AT SAMPLING INTERNATIONAL
We are back with another blog from our sequence introducing the individuals who create our team and make our company what it is today. We would like to introduce you to Mick Kennedy from the order office, who this year is celebrating 35 years working at Sampling International. WOW! MICK, 35 YEARS, THAT’S A LONG […]
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM WORK RELATED ILL-HEALTH AND INJURY STATISTICS PUBLISHED BY THE HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE?
Every Year the Health and Safety executive publishes work-related ill-health and injury statistics. In the year 2020/21 the results showed that in the UK the estimated number of workers suffering from a work related illness or injury was 1.7 million. The number of cases with stress, depression and anxiety is recorded at 800,000. The latest […]
45 years in the sampling industry
In a candid interview, Stephen Hubbard MD spoke to us about his 45 years in sampling. SG: Hello Stephen. Let’s start at the very beginning. Why did you start your own company? SH: In April 1978 I was working for a competitor and it wasn’t going too well so I saw it as an opportunity […]
Meet Aleksandra, Sales Administrator at Sampling International
This is the first of in a series of blogs giving an insight into the people who make up Sampling International. Over the next few months we will get to know the people who make up our team and make our company what it is today. We would like to introduce to you to Aleksandra […]
The Urban Commune A collaboration between a group of artists who believe that art and creativity are good for the soul based in Wakefield
At Sampling International we are always looking for ways to recycle and reduce landfill so teaming up with Urban Commune certainly made perfect sense. A family relative of one of our staff who volunteers at TUC put us in touch with the organisers to discuss the possibility of a contribution. As a result, we were […]
Wow! What a season by Finlay Sykes
Finlay Sykes – Season 2022 “The aim of the game”…Following a marked out track…. Get from the top of the mountain to the bottom of the mountain in the fastest possible time!!……Easy right…..! Wow what a season!!! Where do I start…..? THANK YOU seems an appropriate way I guess!! After all without your help (and […]
Fulfilment – taking the hassle out of processing your consumer samples
With online sales booming and the continued growth of e-commerce, it’s ever more important to get your cutting samples to the consumer as quickly as possible. From our perspective, we cannot believe how much growth we’ve seen in this area of the business. E-commerce is booming! Customers want to see samples – and they want […]
Exciting times at Sampling International
Exciting times here at Sampling International where along with introducing our revitalised website we can’t wait to help you with your greener sampling requirements – our strategy for the coming years is focussing on driving innovation, sustainability, becoming more green, producing sampling products that help our customers achieve their green goals too which gives us […]