What a sample loan covers
Sample loans are arranged for buyers who want to assess a range before committing to bulk or repeat orders. In practice, that means we handpick a small set of textiles, ceramics or artisan goods that match your brief, your price point and the final use case, whether that is retail, hospitality or gifting. Each loan is issued from our Maboneng base in Johannesburg and can be sent to Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Gqeberha, Midrand, Soweto and other South African towns, with export handling available for approved international buyers.
Every loan is documented so you know exactly what is on hand, what is reserved and what must be returned. We include maker information, dimensions, materials and care notes so your team can compare items properly. For line planning or seasonal buying, this is far more useful than reviewing photos alone.
- Textiles in swatch or full sample form
- Ceramic pieces for finish, glaze and weight checks
- Small artisan goods for shelf testing, gifting or display trials
- Provenance notes and product measurements
How we curate the right selection
We start with your brief, target customer, expected order size and preferred delivery area. If you are fitting out a hotel, restaurant or concept store, we will also factor in durability, cleanability and replacement lead times. For wholesale buyers, we can narrow the selection to one colourway or material family, or prepare a broader comparison set if you are still deciding on a range direction.
Our curators consider the practical detail that matters at buying stage: how a textile drapes, how a ceramic base sits on a shelf, whether a surface shows fingerprints and whether the product will hold up in coastal humidity or under strong retail lighting. If you need gift pack sizing, sample loan sets can be packed to approximate the final presentation, not just the raw item itself.
- Brief review and use-case matching
- Material, size and finish selection
- Optional comparison sets across makers
- Loan sheet prepared with return terms
Loan process from enquiry to return
Buyers contact us through the enquiry form on our contact page and we confirm availability, intended use and the loan period. Once approved, we prepare the sample set, record each item and arrange collection or courier. In Johannesburg collections can be arranged from our Maboneng base, while courier coordination covers main centres and selected regional routes. For international buyers we work with export packing and shipping steps that suit the goods and destination.
Once the samples arrive, your team reviews them within the agreed window and confirms any follow-up order, edit or revision. If a sample is damaged or lost, we assess it against the agreed loan record and the item condition at dispatch. This keeps the process practical and fair for both sides.
- Enquiry and brief confirmation
- Selection, packing and dispatch
- Review period and decision making
- Return, replenishment or conversion to order
Packing standards for fragile and mixed-material goods
Sample loans are packed for transport, storage and repeated handling. Ceramics are wrapped with layered protection and separated to prevent chip damage. Textiles are folded or rolled according to fibre type and finish, with moisture-safe packing where needed. Mixed sample sets are boxed so that heavier items do not sit on top of lighter ones.
For export and long-distance domestic couriering, we also allow for route conditions, temperature swings and transfer points. That matters when a buyer is receiving samples into a warehouse, shop floor or studio that may not have climate control. Good packing reduces breakage and helps the sample arrive in the same condition it left in, which is the whole point.
- Protective wrap for ceramics and fragile goods
- Moisture-aware packing for textiles and natural fibres
- Clear item labels for quick stock checks
- Courier-ready cartons with handling notes
Turnaround times and pricing approach
Turnaround depends on the type of sample, the number of makers involved and whether the goods are already on hand. Standard sample loans can often be prepared within 2 to 5 working days, while mixed or export-sensitive requests may take longer. If an item needs to be sourced from a maker in another province, we will confirm the lead time before you commit.
Our pricing approach is straightforward. Sample loans may carry a handling fee, courier cost and, where necessary, a refundable deposit. For larger commercial buyers the sample fee can sometimes be credited against a confirmed order, subject to the item type and agreement terms. We quote according to packing complexity, destination and the number of pieces, so you only pay for the actual work involved.
- Simple requests: 2 to 5 working days
- Multi-maker or export requests: quoted case by case
- Handling, courier and deposit structured separately
- Possible credit against confirmed bulk orders
Keeping samples in good condition during the loan
Sample care is mostly about sensible handling. Textiles should be kept away from direct sunlight when not in use, especially natural dyes and hand-finished pieces. Ceramics should be stored on a flat surface and not stacked without protection. If the samples are being shown at a showroom, hotel or retail floor, we recommend a quick visual check every few days so any marks, loose threads or surface wear are picked up early.
For active loan sets, an interval check every 7 to 14 days is usually enough. If your team is using the pieces for multiple client presentations, a weekly audit helps keep counts correct and prevents loss. We can also advise on cleaning methods, but any washing, polishing or repair must be approved first. That keeps the sample valid for comparison and avoids unnecessary damage.
- Keep textiles dry and out of harsh sun
- Store ceramics upright and cushioned
- Check counts and condition weekly or fortnightly
- Seek approval before cleaning or repair
Key facts
| Loan types | Textiles, ceramics and selected artisan goods |
|---|---|
| Typical turnaround | 2 to 5 working days for standard requests |
| Loan period | Agreed per project, usually short term for review |
| Packing | Protective, labelled and courier-ready |
| Coverage | Johannesburg, South Africa and international courier |
| Pricing model | Handling fee, courier cost and refundable deposit where applicable |
