Paper stocks, weights and finishes
A useful reference for brochures, booklets, direct mail and marketing print.
Print Material Swatches
Choosing the right material is a key part of any print project.
Our material swatches give you a clear, practical preview of different print materials and substrates, helping you make more confident and informed decisions.
Print Material Swatches
See how different materials
look, feel and perform
Choosing the right material is a key part of any print project. To make that process easier, we have developed a set of material swatches designed to give a clear, practical preview of different print materials and substrates.
Rather than relying on descriptions alone, our print material samples allow you to experience materials first-hand, helping you make more confident and informed decisions.
We have created three dedicated swatches covering our core print areas: paper, flexible print materials and rigid print materials.
Each one is designed to demonstrate not just the base material itself, but also how print shows up on each surface, including finishes, detail and texture.
Overview
Why Material Swatches Matter
When planning a print project, the choice of material can significantly influence the final result. Texture, weight, rigidity and finish all play a role in how a piece looks and feels when it's finally printed.
Our print material samples are designed to bring those characteristics to life. They provide a visible reference point, allowing you to see colour reproduction, print detail and overall print finish and texture in a real-world example.
This is particularly valuable when comparing print substrates or presenting ideas internally. A physical sample often communicates more clearly than a digital proof, helping ensure what you can expect from your finished printed piece.
Each swatch set has been carefully produced to reflect the quality and consistency of our production environment, giving you an accurate representation of what can be achieved across a wide range of print materials.
What’s included?
Three dedicated swatches covering our core print areas
Banners, vinyl and large format materials
Ideal for large format graphics, exhibition materials and display solutions.
Rigid substrates for signage and POS
Compare materials such as Foamex, acrylic and Correx for signage, displays and point-of-sale print.
Paper Swatch
Paper stocks, coatings and finishes
Our paper swatch showcases a range of commonly used paper stocks, allowing you to explore differences in weight, coating and finish.
From uncoated, silk, gloss and textured sheets to smooth coated options, each sample demonstrates how ink interacts with the surface. You can see how colours appear, how detail is held and how the print finish and texture contributes to the final look and feel. The paper swatch book also includes a variety of laminations, folding box board and sticker sheet examples for you to consider.
This paper swatch is particularly useful for projects such as brochures, booklets, direct mail and marketing collateral, where the tactile quality of the material plays an important role.
It provides a clear, side-by-side comparison that helps simplify what can often be a complex decision when selecting print substrates.
Flexible Material Swatch
Flexible print materials for large format and display work
The flexible material swatch focuses on flexible print materials used for applications that require durability, adaptability or ease of installation.
This includes materials commonly used for banners, durable posters, mesh, magnetic prints, vinyl graphics and other large format materials. Each sample highlights how print performs on these surfaces, including colour vibrancy, adhesion and finish.
Flexible print materials are often used in environments where practicality matters just as much as appearance. This swatch demonstrates how consistent, high-quality print can still be achieved across these more adaptable substrates.
It is a useful reference for anyone planning large format graphics, exhibition materials or display solutions.
Useful for
Banners and promotional displays
Vinyl graphics and applied signage
Exhibition graphics and large format materials
Print that requires durability
Flatbed Rigid Material Swatch
Rigid print materials for signage, displays and point-of-sale
Our flatbed swatch is dedicated to rigid print materials, showcasing substrates such as Foamex, acrylic, Correx, PVC, Dibond and more.
These rigid print materials are widely used for signage, displays and point-of-sale applications, where structure and durability are essential.
Each sample demonstrates how print appears on a solid surface, including colour density, sharpness and overall finish. It also allows you to feel the weight and rigidity of each material, which can be difficult to judge without physical print material samples.
By presenting these print substrates in one place, the swatch makes it easier to compare options and select the most suitable material for your application.
Rigid material examples
Compare substrates before choosing the final finish
Lightweight rigid signage
A popular choice for indoor signs, display boards and point-of-sale graphics.
Clean, professional display print
Useful for premium signage, branded displays and graphics where a polished finish is important.
Durable temporary signage
A practical option for outdoor signs, event signage, estate agency boards and short-term displays.
Supporting Better Decisions
Bringing clarity to material selection
Across all three material swatches, the goal is the same: to provide a clear, practical understanding of how different print materials behave in a real print environment.
They are designed to support conversations, streamline decision-making and reduce uncertainty at the planning stage of a project.
Each material clearly shows how the print and finished look will appear, giving you further clarity and confidence in your choice of material.
They also make it easier to compare options side by side, helping you choose the most suitable material for the way your finished print will be used.
Request Your Free Swatch
Explore our print materials in more detail
If you would like to explore our print materials in more detail, we would be happy to provide free print material samples.
Whether you are planning an upcoming project or simply want to better understand the options available, our material swatches offer a useful and practical starting point.
Get in touch with our team to request your free swatch sample and see first-hand how different print materials can shape the final result.
At Hickling & Squires, we are always focused on helping you make informed choices and delivering print that meets the highest standards.
Contact us
We can help you…
bring your brand to life with high-quality litho, digital, large format, and flatbed printing — plus expert design support to make your business stand out.
If you have any enquiries, get in touch with us today and let’s get talking.
Visit Us
Unit 1, Moorgreen Industrial Park, Dunsil Road, Newthorpe, Nottingham, NG16 3TN.
Opening Hours
Mon – Fri – 8:30am – 5:00pm
Sat – Sun – CLOSED