Selecting the right paint colour for a home improvement project can be a challenging process, influenced by factors such as lighting, room size, and existing decor. For UK consumers, many paint companies offer free colour cards and, in some cases, free sample pots to help visualise colours in situ before committing to a full purchase. This article details the available options for obtaining free colour samples, the typical processes involved, and the key terms and conditions associated with these programmes, based exclusively on the provided source material.
Sources of Free Colour Cards and Sample Programmes
Several paint manufacturers and specialist suppliers provide complimentary colour cards to assist customers. These cards are typically physical swatches or brochures that display a range of colours. According to the source material, many companies offer free colour cards, often with the request that you subscribe to their email newsletter in return. This subscription can be beneficial if you are interested in their products, as it provides access to updates and promotional offers.
Major Paint Brand Programmes
The provided data identifies several specific programmes and companies offering free colour cards:
- PPG (via Glidden): PPG offers a service to mail free 8x8 colour cards. Customers can select up to six colours to receive. To participate, users must agree to receive emails containing information, product updates, e-newsletters, samples, promotional offers, and rebates from PPG Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Consent can be withdrawn later by following the opt-out instructions in the emails.
- Dunn-Edwards: This company provides free 5x8 colour chips from their "Perfect Palette" collection, which includes over 2,000 colours. The ordering process is completed online, and the chips are mailed to a provided address. For specific colour collections like "New Neutral" and "Front Door," customers are instructed to contact Dunn-Edwards Customer Service directly. The company reserves the right to limit orders.
- Dulux (Heritage): Dulux Heritage is mentioned as a brand that offers colour cards. This is part of the broader Dulux brand, which is a major player in the UK market.
- Johnstones: Johnstones Trade colour cards and their "Inspired collection" colour card are available. This brand is often associated with trade professionals but also accessible to consumers.
- Little Greene: This brand offers a colour card that includes "new flying chips," likely referring to updated or additional swatches.
Specialist and Traditional Paint Suppliers
Beyond mainstream brands, the source material highlights several specialist companies that cater to specific niches, such as eco-paints, traditional finishes, and historic colour matching.
- Traditional Paint Company: Supplies lime wash in hundreds of colours and provides colour cards upon request.
- Ecos Paints: Offers hand-painted colour cards.
- Nutshell Natural Paints: Provides a hand-painted swatch.
- Livos Natural Paints: Displays their natural paint colours online.
- Holman Specialist Paints: This company has an extensive database of approximately 150,000 colours. Their speciality is colour matching, including matching top coat colours exactly to items like Zinsser BIN and Coverstain. They also tint paints for manufacturers.
- Papers and Paints: A company focused on historic colours, run by an individual who developed colour ranges for Dulux Heritage and other well-known brands. They charge for their in-house traditional paint colour cards, which are researched and developed internally. They also offer exact colour matching to actual paint samples, furniture, wallpaper, or fabric.
The Process of Obtaining Free Samples
The method for acquiring free colour cards varies by company but generally involves an online request or a direct contact.
- Online Request Forms: Many companies, such as PPG (Glidden) and Dunn-Edwards, have dedicated web pages where customers can select colours and provide a mailing address. For PPG, the process involves selecting up to six colours and agreeing to marketing communications. For Dunn-Edwards, customers can browse all colours or specific collections and complete an online order for free chips.
- Email Newsletter Subscription: A common requirement is to subscribe to the company's email newsletter. This is presented as a fair exchange for the free product and keeps the consumer informed about new products and offers.
- Direct Contact: For some brands or specific colour collections (e.g., Dunn-Edwards' New Neutral and Front Door), customers may need to contact customer service via telephone to place an order.
- In-Person Requests: The source material suggests that most companies offering free colour cards can provide them if asked, indicating that visiting a stockist or contacting the company directly may also be a viable method.
Sample Pots: The Next Step After Colour Cards
While colour cards provide a general idea, the source material clearly states that the next recommended step after narrowing down choices is to use sample pots. This allows for a true-to-life test of the colour on an actual wall, accounting for lighting and other environmental factors.
- Cost: The data explicitly notes that while it would be nice if sample pots were free, most companies charge for them. Prices typically range from £1 to £3.50 plus postage and packaging (P&P).
- Purpose: Applying a sample pot allows you to paint a square of at least 2' x 2' (approximately 60cm x 60cm) with two coats for the most accurate representation of the final colour. This step is crucial as decor, lighting, and the time of day can significantly affect how a colour appears.
Important Considerations and Terms
When ordering free samples, several important terms and conditions are highlighted in the source material:
- Order Limits: Companies like Dunn-Edwards explicitly state that they "reserve the right to limit orders." This suggests that there may be restrictions on the number of samples one household can request, possibly to prevent abuse of the programme.
- Geographic Restrictions: While not explicitly stated for UK programmes in the provided data, it is a standard practice for such offers to be limited to specific countries. The Dunn-Edwards information is based on a US customer service number, but the principle of geographic limitation is common.
- Marketing Consent: For programmes like PPG's, consent to receive marketing emails is a mandatory part of the sign-up process. It is important for consumers to understand that they are agreeing to ongoing communication from the brand.
- No Guarantee of Suitability: The source material includes a disclaimer that the resource is for reference purposes and is not an endorsement of the quality or suitability of any of the paints. Consumers are advised to conduct their own research and testing.
Conclusion
For UK consumers embarking on a painting project, a structured approach to selecting a colour can save time and money. Starting with free colour cards from major brands like PPG, Dulux, and Johnstones, or specialist suppliers, provides a broad overview of available shades. These are typically accessible by subscribing to a company's newsletter or requesting them directly. The subsequent use of paid sample pots (costing between £1 and £3.50 plus P&P) is the recommended next step for an accurate in-situ test. Consumers should be aware of potential order limits and the requirement to consent to marketing communications when signing up for free samples. For highly specific or historic colour matching, specialist services like Holman Specialist Paints or Papers and Paints offer advanced capabilities, though their colour cards may come at a cost. By following these steps and understanding the associated terms, consumers can make more confident colour decisions for their homes.