How to Request and Evaluate a Material Sample Board
7 5 月, 2025
Making Confident Display Decisions with Real-World Touchpoints
Table of Contents
By Yan Luo | Samtop Display
Quick Answer: A material sample board lets you see and touch real finish options before approving a display. It includes paint swatches, textures, logo prints, and hardware — helping teams make informed decisions on color, texture, and brand fit before mass production.
Anti-Fingerprint Coating for POP Displays UV print and silk screen logo samples for evaluation
Renders can’t tell you how a display actually feels — or whether that matte black is truly “premium” in real light.
Guessing finish based on PDF mockups often leads to disappointing results, color mismatch, or touchpoints that don’t feel brand-aligned.
Request a material sample board from your supplier — one with real paint, textures, logo print, and edge treatments. Then review it under store-like lighting with your full team.
🎨 What Is a Material Sample Board?
Included Samples
What It Confirms
Painted finish on real surface (e.g. MDF)
Pantone match, gloss level, color consistency
Print process swatches (UV, laser, silk)
Logo sharpness, ink density, method comparison
Textures (laminate, velvet, vinyl)
Surface feel and brand alignment
Hardware parts (feet, risers, edges)
Quality, weight, edge finish
Edge treatment demos
Polished, chamfered, wrapped, or brushed outcome
💡 Think of it as your material R&D lab — in your hands.
📩 How to Request a Sample Board (Checklist)
To ensure your supplier sends a useful board, include:
Input Needed
Why It Matters
Brand moodboard / reference visuals
Helps supplier match tone and style
Color references (Pantone, RAL)
Enables accurate spraying and comparison
Finish options you want to test
Gloss, matte, velvet, brushed?
Special logo treatments
Foil, UV, silk screen, laser — request examples
Final usage context
Wipeable? Outdoor? Counter-height?
Timeline
Allow 3–7 working days + shipping
📌 Ask for:
Labels on each sample
Material spec sheet per piece
Photos under daylight + store light
✅ Sample Board Evaluation Guide (With Team)
Element
What to Check
🎨 Color
Pantone match under warm + cool light
✨ Finish
Gloss level, consistency, no streaks or orange peel
🖨️ Print Quality
Sharpness of logo, no bleed, correct ink technique
👋 Touch / Texture
Does it feel high-end? Rugged? Too slippery or soft?
💪 Durability
Wipe test, scratch test, bend test (if applicable)
🛍️ Brand Fit
Does it align with your in-store image and product value?
💡 Pro Tip: Review under spotlights, LED, and daylight to simulate retail.
🔍 Real Case: Material Decision for Makeup Launch
🟨 Client: European color cosmetics brand 🟨 Challenge: Choose between satin red vs metallic red spray for counter display
🟩 Samtop Delivered:
Sprayed MDF sample blocks side-by-side
Black matte base for contrast
Silk screen logo sample with both finishes
Photos in daylight + spotlight
Pantone swatch included for direct visual match
✅ Outcome: Client chose satin red for main display, black matte for base. Used board photos in internal brand presentation.
💬 FAQ
Q: Can a sample board include multiple finishes?
A: Absolutely — that’s the best way to compare finishes side by side and make fast, aligned decisions.
Q: What size should each sample be?
A: 5–10cm² is ideal. Large enough to show gloss/texture, small enough to ship easily.
Q: Can I approve based on photos?
A: Possible for early review. But for gloss, texture, or color matching — in-hand review is critical.
Q: Is it free?
A: At Samtop, yes — we include boards during development for active clients at no charge.
🎯 Conclusion: Turn Visual Guesswork Into In-Hand Confidence
✔️ Sample boards help you see and feel before you commit ✔️ Evaluate with your VM, creative, and procurement teams ✔️ Save time, reduce revisions, and align faster ✔️ Request labeled, well-prepared boards with full lighting photos
