Hello everyone, this is Leïla from Inkoo to talk to you about our neutral samples and how they can make a difference. If you're wondering which product to pick, have a read at our article about summer wardrobe decisions.
Key Takeaways
Neutral samples = speed & flexibility
They help validate cuts, colors and materials without delay — and without branding that could interfere with client relationships.
Cost-effective alternative to BATs
A neutral sample costs less than a personalized proof and still allows you to move forward with confidence.
Reassurance tool for your clients
Holding the product in hand builds trust and shortens the decision-making cycle.
Streamlined B2B process
INKOO offers fast dispatch, sample returns, showroom visits and video calls to help you choose the right products.
Discretion respected
Ideal for agencies and resellers who present the samples to their own clients — no branding, no risk of being bypassed.
Introduction:
So why are neutral samples a game changer for pros?
At INKOO, we also work with industry professionals - agencies, creative studios, retailers... These partners sometimes present the products to their own clients.
In this context, it's essential to provide them with samples without any branding or mention of our brand, so that they can retain the lead and the customer relationship.
This is simply part of the B2B code: offering the best possible quality, while respecting the chain of trust between intermediaries.
💡 What is a neutral sample?
A neutral textile sample is a textile product sent without any logo, branding or personalisation. It allows you to test the textile quality, cut and colour of an item before placing an order, while remaining perfectly reusable in a professional context.
The print-proof called BAT (Bon À Tirer) is a made-to-measure prototype, produced with the customer's logo or final visual. It is used to validate the location, size and printing or embroidery technique before production begins. If you're curious about how to send us your files like a pro to have the best result possible, you could check our article about it.
The neutral sample is versatile and economical.
The personalised proof is unique and specific to a project.
🚀 The tool that speeds up sales
In a B2B sales cycle, every return trip counts. A neutral sample makes it possible to validate a textile order more quickly, by reassuring the end customer about the cut, material or even actual shade of the product - without waiting for a full proof.
The result: less back and forth, less friction in the approval process, and above all a faster sales cycle.
It's also a cost-effective choice: a neutral sample costs less to produce than a personalised proof, while allowing you to move forward with the project on a concrete, testable basis.
It's the perfect tool for boosting your sales and speeding up customer decision-making.
🤝 A selling point for your own customers
Receiving a sample in person changes everything. It's a powerful reassurance tool to convince a customer who's still hesitating to validate an order. They can touch it, compare it, appreciate the quality of the fabric - and project themselves more easily into the final result.
This is particularly useful for communications agencies, creative studios, retailers or marketing teams who need to present several options to their own customers. By showing them a real product, you gain credibility and speed up the decision-making process.
Each sample is also a showcase: it reflects the quality of INKOO's production, our finishes and our carefully selected textiles. In short, it helps you to convince a customer with a sample, without even needing a lot of arguments.
How does sample validation work?
At INKOO, the validation of a sample follows a simple but structured process, designed to save time and secure your projects:
- Customer → You contact us with the details of your project (type of textile, cut, colour, use).
- Sending of a neutral sample → We send you one or more blank, unprinted textiles to test at your leisure.
- Touch & test → This is the key moment: touch the material, test the fit, look at how the seams hold, try on the cut if necessary. This “touch test” validates the quality, fabric density, comfort and general perception.
- Order confirmed → Once the sample has been approved, you can validate your personalised order with peace of mind - without unnecessary return trips.
👉 This process is fast, reassuring and inexpensive. It allows you to convince your own customers with concrete in hand, while speeding up your sales cycle.
How do I request a sample from INKOO?
At INKOO, we've done everything we can to make the sample request simple, quick and tailored to your B2B needs.
📩 All you have to do is contact us (via email or form) with a few details about your project: type of professional customised textile or B2B customised goodies, desired quantities, techniques required... Together we'll select the most relevant products to test.
📦 Fast dispatch: we dispatch within a few working days, and if necessary, samples can be returned after the decision has been made.
💳 Please note: samples are invoiced upfront at their standard retail price (available on our website) + delivery costs. If the final order includes the same item, we’ll deduct the sample cost from the total invoice.
🛋️ Want to see more? We can also welcome you in our showroom in Nivelles, or by videoconference, to show you different references live and guide you in your choices.
To book an appointment, follow this link.
In short: a smooth process, practical advice and a single objective - to help you choose the best support for your textile communication or your business goodies.
Conclusion:
It's often forgotten, but a simple neutral sample can turn hesitation into validation.
It's a decision accelerator, a selling point and a confidence builder - for your customers as much as for you. It allows you to save time, to reassure without having to argue, and to validate technical choices before production, without unnecessary costs.
👉 In short, it's fast, efficient and reliable - especially when your projects involve several people or a chain of decisions.
At INKOO, we're with you every step of the way to find the right professional textiles and goodies to test.
📩 Need a helping hand to validate your next order?
If you're ready to take an order with us, maybe you'll be interested in the 5 mistakes to avoid when personalizing goodies.
A neutral sample is blank (no logo), reusable, and cheaper — ideal for testing fabric and cut.
A BAT is the document of the customized product with your logo, used to validate placement, size and technique before production.
Yes — neutral samples are billed upfront at their standard retail price (you can find it directly on our website), plus delivery costs.
If you place an order with the same item, the sample amount will be deducted from your final invoice.
Yes, we offer the option to return the neutral sample once your decision is made — just ask us during the request.
Samples are usually shipped within a few working days after your request is confirmed.
Absolutely. You can receive multiple references by post or come visit our showroom (or join us on a video call).
Not at all — we support projects of all sizes, especially if they involve customisation and professional use.