4 Step Guide to Online Material Sampling

How to Order Free Material Samples: For Interior Designers & Architects

You must have heard the saying, “Keep up with the times.” Well, it's easier said than done, especially when you are juggling between various roles.

Architects and interior designers are a one-person army who perform various activities, including designing, execution, and coordinating tasks. Amidst this hectic schedule, managing to squeeze out some time to explore and learn new things appears to be an added activity.

Fortunately, digital transformation is replacing labor-intensive practices for good. One such example is how architects and interior designers can order free material samples online on a digital marketplace.

Learn how digitization is shaping up the architecture and construction industry

Given the dynamic nature of the field, it becomes essential for professionals of the AEC industry to keep upskilling themselves.

The Concept of Online Marketplace for Building Materials

The trend of online shopping has also penetrated the architecture and design industry. Be it for stationery or building materials, the concept of digital buying has gained popularity across the globe.

The originally time-consuming activities of material procurement and material sampling are now being done at the click of a few buttons. Thus, adapting to the digital world has become necessary for any mainstream architect or interior designer.

While many professionals are well versed with visualization software, online material selection can seem challenging. Navigating through websites and filtering materials and architectural products online is different from visiting a material warehouse. Understanding the process of online material sampling can help architects to save time, energy, and effort by making quick selections. Here is all you need to know about material sampling in a digital way.

4-Step Guide to Online Material Sampling

1. Discover Digital Material Sampling Portals

Building material e-commerce websites are virtual stores for architects and interior designers. These marketplaces are a one-stop solution for ordering architectural products that are displayed as product categories. Designers can find different building materials on these sites, including tile, plywood, laminate, wallpapers, and more – listed along with their specifications. One such good example of an online marketplace is Archmozzo that makes it easy for you to discover and source materials for projects across India. You can even compare materials from various brands and decide the best fit to go with your project requirements.

2. Create Your Account and Search Materials

A trusted online marketplace will first verify the buyer to ensure that they are real and genuine before accepting their order. By verifying the buyer, the web portal can provide customized solutions for the client’s search and build credibility among the platform users.

To create an account on the platform, you will have to enter the basic details about you and your project. Once done, you can start browsing materials by categories and add them to your cart. Many web platforms provide the ‘filter’ option to help you easily search through plenty of options available, and find the best-suited material for your project. Filters based on pattern, color, brands, and usage are useful to navigate through the material inventory.

Read this guide to select the best building materials for your project

3. Add Materials to Cart and Place Your Order

Check the material specifications before narrowing them down to your favorite ones. After ensuring the material suitability, click on ‘Add to cart.’ The cart is like the virtual shopping trolley that you can fill with materials and architectural products.

You can select material samples from various brands in a sample box. This helps in avoiding the back and forth between the architect and vendor with respect to communication issues. However, there is a pre-decided limit on how many samples you can order. This quantity is decided as per the material specification.

After adding all materials to the cart, view your sample summary and place your order for free material samples. Voila!

4. Payment, Material Delivery, and Cancellation Policy

Most building material websites provide free material samples and quick delivery options.

Archmozzo, a digital marketplace, allows architects and designers to order free material samples from their website and get them delivered within 48 hours. Thus, architects, designers, or clients don’t have to pay for material samples.

If you wish to purchase a material after checking its suitability on-site, you can place an order directly with the vendor. Most often, you will find detailed information on their website. The cancellation and return policy vary for every portal depending upon their relationship with the vendors and company work ethics.

Final Thoughts

Having access to free material samples online can prove to be effective for both designers and clients. Architects get to experiment and assess material suitability without worrying about time constraints. And, they can also involve the client in the material selection process without much ado.

Digitization is redefining the face of building construction by enhancing the design process. Of course, there needs to be a behavioral change from the side of architects and designers to embrace technology.

Now that you know how to order material samples online, stay up-to-date with the latest materials in the industry and keep your customers happy.

Have you previously ordered building material samples from a digital store?