Paper Samples

Print sample paper gives you the opportunity to see and feel the quality of your design when printed using our modern digital printing methods, before committing to a large order. It is the perfect way to try before you buy wallpaper, poster, gift wrap, and art prints. You can try out multiple different papers, and choose the texture and finish which you prefer, or you can try multiple designs on the same papers. Available in an array of approximate sizes from Half Letter to ANSI D, and with the option of either landscape or portrait orientation, you can print paper samples quickly and easily. 

When you upload your image or design, our system will automatically scale it to fit on the size of the sample that you have chosen. If you want to try a paper sample at actual-size which features only a part of your design then we would advise you to crop this before upload within your chosen image editing software. We recommend a file size no larger than 5mb.

As a first time customer, if you order a test print, you will receive a discount voucher to redeem against your full order. 

Paper Types

There are numerous paper types available for printing paper samples:

• Premium wallpaper (5.01 oz)
• Standard wallpaper (3.54 oz)
• Brushed textured wallpaper (3.54 oz)
• Self-adhesive wallpaper (10.32 oz)
• Satin Poster Paper (5.31 oz)
• Satin Gift Wrap (4.13 oz)
• Smooth Matte Fine art paper (5.57 oz)
• Textured Matte Fine art paper (9.14 oz)

Sizing For Hemming And Shrinkage

We have a full Cut & Sew service here at Contrado, and are able to hem your fabric prints for a small additional charge. We create a small one- or two-fold hem that typically uses 0.2" to 0.75" (5-20mm) of material, depending on the thickness of the fabric. So, for example, if you want a finished piece of fabric that measures 39.37" x 39.37", you will need to order a size of 39.96" x 39.96" to allow for the hem (on top of that please also allow for shrinkage of min 2%). The thicker the fabric, the bigger the hem will be. You can choose to have your prints hemmed with either Black or White thread. On our silk and other light woven fabrics, one hemmed edge will be straight (vertically down the roll) and the other will be slightly rippled. The hemming material allowances are as follows and you need to make your print bigger to accommodate the hem:

• Light Fabrics (0.59oz-2.95oz): For silks and other light fabrics, we use 0.24" - 0.32" / 6mm-8mm in the hem (2 fold), so overall width/height will be minus 0.48"-0.56""/ 12-16mm
• Medium Fabrics (2.98oz-5.90oz): For medium-weight fabrics that fray, we use 0.5 - 0.75" / 15-20mm in the hem (2 fold) so overall width/height will be minus 1.4" - 1.6" / 35-40mm
• Stiff/Heavy/No-fray fabrics: we use 0.5 - 0.75" / 15-20mm in the hem (1 fold) so overall width/height will be minus 1.5" / 35-40mm

All of these measurements are approximate and can vary. Including with shrinkage, it can mean a fairly significant difference to ordered dimensions, so please plan your print accordingly. Depending on how open the weave is, our fabric can shrink anywhere from 2% to 8% with the average being 2.5%.

How Would you Like the Edge?

• As it comes. We cut around your image, leaving a simply scissor cut, perhaps uneven white fabric border. 
• Hem with thread. We can hem your fabric with a choice of black or white thread. Please allow 1-2 days additional production time. See below for information on how hemming affects the size of your print. We offer an overlock hem, as well as a folded hem (one or two fold depending on the fabric) however not all fabrics are suited to both hem types. If you can see both options, it means both are suitable, and you will be able to choose whichever you prefer. 
• Cut on the line. We will cut neatly on the edge of your design. This means that if you have a border around your design we will cut around that border, if your design takes the whole space of the fabric, then we will neatly cut around the edge of that image. Please be aware, when we cut along the line, we have to cut against the grain of the fabric. This is the standard procedure for fabric cutting. This means that with some fabrics, for example, Georgette and Mulmul, which have a slight wave in them, some fraying will occur. This is unavoidable, as the cut follows the grain of the textile. 

All of our fabrics are cut manually by hand, with the utmost care and attention. If your fabric has a slightly uneven look on the edges or a touch of fraying, this does not indicate a flaw in the textile. It is not always possible to achieve a perfectly straight cut with certain fabrics, so please do bare this in mind when it comes to your design. If you have any queries or would like to know about our cutting methods in more detail, please get in touch and we will be more than happy to discuss them with you.

Please note: As we make everything by hand, all sizes may vary slightly.

For further information about our fabrics see our FAQs.

What sizes do the paper samples come in?

Your samples are available in Half Letter (8 x 5.75"), Letter/ANSI A (8.25 x 11.75"), Tabloid/ANSI B (11.75 x 16.5"), ANSI C (23.5 x 16.5"), or ANSI D (33 x 23.5"). You can choose either a portrait or landscape orientation when printing paper samples. Please note all sizes are approximate.

What is the value of my voucher?

When you print sample paper, we send all first-time customers a voucher for $3 off your first order. The minimum spend is only $15, which means you can use it on larger orders such as wallpaper, as well as smaller ones for prints such as gift wrap.

Are there limitations to my voucher?

There are a few. Your voucher is valid on wallpaper/borders/premium posters/wrapping paper. Each voucher may only be used once and is valid for 30 days. The offer is for first-time customers only. It cannot be used for test prints or samples.