Choosing the right paint colour is a significant decision for any home improvement project. The way a colour appears can be dramatically affected by lighting, surrounding décor, and the specific surface it is applied to. To help consumers make confident choices, many paint brands, including Dulux, offer sample services. These programmes allow individuals to test colours in their own spaces before committing to a full purchase. This article examines the available sample options from Dulux and other paint brands, focusing on the methods of access, the types of samples available, and the associated requirements, based on information from official brand sources and verified guides.
Understanding Dulux Sample Options
Dulux provides several ways for consumers to obtain paint samples, catering to different testing preferences. The primary offerings include peel-and-stick samples and traditional paint testers, which can be accessed through official Dulux channels.
Dulux Peel & Stick Samples
Dulux offers a range of peel-and-stick paint samples. These are described as stick-on samples that use real paint, providing colour accuracy for consumers. The samples are designed to be moved around a room, allowing users to see how the colour looks in different areas and under various lighting conditions. According to the official Dulux product information, these samples are packaged to be letterbox-friendly, ensuring convenient delivery. It is important to note that colours may differ by product range, and consumers should verify that their chosen colour is available in their desired range. If a specific colour is not available in a particular range, the brand states that it can be mixed by selecting any of their colour mixing products.
Dulux Paint Samples and Testers
For those undecided on a specific shade, Dulux provides paint samples and testers. These are available through the Dulux Decorator Centre. The service allows consumers to customise their own Dulux paint samples to see how emulsion paint colours look in specific lights. The samples are intended to help consumers experiment with a variety of shades and ensure their vision is brought to life. The selection includes shades for bold statement walls, such as Inca Orange, Red Sand, and Wild Blackberry, as well as more neutral tones like Dune Grass or English Elm.
Other Paint Brands Offering Sample Programmes
While Dulux provides specific sample services, other paint brands in the market also offer sample programmes, some of which may be available to UK consumers. The following information is based on a general overview of paint sample offerings, though the availability of these specific brands and programmes in the UK is not confirmed by the provided source material.
Dunn Edwards
Dunn Edwards is noted for providing free colour cards from its Perfect Palette selection, with up to 100 cards available. Additionally, 8-ounce paint samples are available for purchase through Dunn Edwards' online store. However, it is important to note that Dunn Edwards is a US-based brand, and its direct sample programmes may not be available to UK consumers.
Dutch Boy
Dutch Boy offers a paint sample programme that provides four times more paint than traditional 8-ounce samples, using Twist & Try quart samples. The brand also offers 8-ounce samples for Platinum Plus and Forever Paint. Like Dunn Edwards, Dutch Boy is primarily a US brand, and its sample programmes are not typically available in the UK market.
Ecos Paints
Ecos Paints sells small jars of paint samples (2 ounces) in three-packs. The brand offers a rebate programme where samples are free if one or more gallons of paint are purchased. Paint chips are also available for free. Ecos Paints is an international brand, but its specific sample availability in the UK is not detailed in the provided sources.
Kelly Moore Paints
Kelly Moore Paints provides one free quart of sample paint for orders placed online. However, the order is not fulfilled directly through the online request. Instead, customers receive a coupon to take to a Kelly Moore Paints store in participating areas. Kelly Moore Paints is a US brand, and its store network is not present in the UK.
PPG Paints
PPG Paints offers large 8-inch by 8-inch colour cards for free by request online. The brand is also part of the Samplize colour sample card programme. PPG is a global brand, but the availability of its free colour cards and Samplize programme for UK consumers is not specified in the provided data.
Sherwin-Williams
Sherwin-Williams, a US brand, offers "Color To Go" as the largest-sized paint sample, providing around 75 square feet of coverage. Loose paint chips are available for free at Sherwin-Williams stores. The brand does not offer paint fans for free. Sherwin-Williams is not a primary brand in the UK market, so its sample programmes are unlikely to be accessible to UK consumers.
Valspar
Valspar paint is available at Lowe's Home Improvement stores in the US, with 8-ounce samples available for purchase in-store or online. Loose paint chips are available for free at Lowe's, but Valspar does not offer paint fans for free. Valspar is also available in the UK, primarily through B&Q, but the specific sample programmes mentioned are tied to US retail partnerships.
Behr and Glidden
Behr and Glidden paint samples are available at Home Depot in the US, in 8-ounce sizes. Free liquid paint samples are not available, but small colour swatches as loose cards are free. Colour fans are available for purchase for professionals. While Home Depot offers Samplize, Behr and Glidden are US brands, and their sample programmes are not directly available in the UK.
Benjamin Moore
Benjamin Moore offers pint sizes of liquid paint colour samples for purchase, both online and in-store, from a collection of over 3,000 colours. Eight-inch-long paint swatches can also be purchased. Benjamin Moore colours are also available on Samplize. Benjamin Moore is a US brand, and its sample programmes are not typically available in the UK.
Country Chic Paint
Country Chic Paint, a boutique paint company, occasionally runs free paint sample programmes. Consumers are advised to monitor their website or Facebook page for these promotions. This brand is not widely available in the UK market.
Accessing Paint Samples in the UK
For UK consumers, the most accessible paint sample programmes are likely those offered by brands with a strong retail presence in the country, such as Dulux, Valspar (through B&Q), and possibly other brands available at UK home improvement stores. The provided source material focuses on Dulux's offerings, which are directly accessible to UK consumers.
Steps to Obtain Dulux Samples
- Peel & Stick Samples: Consumers can visit the official Dulux website to access the peel-and-stick sample range. These samples are designed for easy application and removal, allowing for flexible testing in different rooms.
- Paint Samples and Testers: Through the Dulux Decorator Centre, consumers can use the colour selector tool to customise their own paint samples. This service is ideal for those who want to see how specific shades look in their home environment.
Considerations for Sample Testing
- Colour Accuracy: While samples use real paint, colours can vary between product ranges. It is essential to check that the chosen colour is available in the desired range.
- Sample Size: The size of the sample can affect the accuracy of the colour perception. Larger samples, like the 8-ounce options from some brands, provide a better representation of the final result.
- Lighting and Environment: Samples should be tested in the actual room where the paint will be applied, as lighting and surrounding colours can alter appearance.
Conclusion
Dulux offers practical and user-friendly sample options for UK consumers, including peel-and-stick samples and customisable paint testers. These programmes are designed to provide colour confidence before making a purchase. While other paint brands offer sample programmes, many are tailored to the US market and may not be readily available in the UK. For UK-based consumers, focusing on brands with a local retail presence and official sample services, such as Dulux, is the most reliable approach. Always verify the availability and terms of any sample programme directly with the brand or retailer.