MATERIAL SAMPLES & SWATCHES

Digital images can provide an initial impression, but they cannot fully communicate the feel, flexibility, thickness or natural character of a material. Physical samples allow designers, manufacturers and product developers to examine materials more accurately before approving them for prototypes, collections or production.

Our sample service is designed to support clearer communication and reduce uncertainty during the material selection process.

Sample availability depends on current stock, supplier collections and the technical requirements of each project. Material selections may include:

Footwear Leather
Full-grain leather, corrected-grain leather, pull-up leather, nubuck, suede and other materials suitable for footwear uppers, linings and components.

Leather for Leather Goods
Materials suitable for bags, belts, wallets, accessories, small leather goods and other crafted products.

Sheepskin & Merino Wool
Natural and dyed materials for footwear linings, boots, slippers, insoles, accessories and cold-weather applications.

Specialist & Exotic Materials
Selected crocodile, ostrich and other specialist materials, subject to availability, sourcing requirements and applicable regulations.

Linings and Supporting Materials
Selected lining materials and complementary components may also be proposed according to the intended product and construction.

The format provided will depend on what needs to be evaluated.

Material swatches are generally used to compare colours, finishes, textures and surface characteristics.

Larger samples may be required when assessing flexibility, thickness, cutting behaviour, stitching, bonding or suitability for a particular construction.

Curated material selections can be prepared when a client requires guidance across several possible options rather than a single specified material.

Tell Us About Your Project

Provide information about the product, intended use, preferred material, colour, finish and estimated production requirements.

We Review the Requirements

Our team considers the application, construction method and available material options.

We Prepare a Suitable Selection

Available swatches or samples are selected according to the project brief and current stock or supplier availability.

Samples Are Confirmed and Dispatched

Any sample charges, preparation costs, courier fees and estimated delivery times are confirmed before dispatch.

At Smerilli Design Manufacturing, we offer expert technical assistance in evaluating your existing material samples. Our team analyses the thickness, stretch orientation, and tensile strength of your selected leathers to test how they perform during the shoe lasting process (Last Development). This technical assessment ensures your chosen materials achieve a flawless fit and structural integrity before you invest in bulk production.

To help us prepare a relevant selection, please include as much of the following information as possible:

• Product type or intended application 
• Material category 
• Preferred colour or colour family 
• Surface finish or texture 
• Approximate thickness or weight 
• Required performance characteristics 
• Prototype or production stage 
• Estimated quantity 
• Delivery location 
• Reference images or technical specifications 

Our sample and swatch service is suitable for independent designers, footwear brands, leather-goods companies, manufacturers, product developers and other professionals working on new products or material sourcing.

We can assist during early concept development, prototype preparation, collection planning and material confirmation before production.

Suitable for

Footwear development | Leather goods | Accessories | Prototype development | Sample collections | Material sourcing | Small and medium production runs | Specialist projects

Leather, sheepskin, wool and other natural materials may show variations in colour, grain, texture, thickness and surface character. These variations are part of the natural identity of the material and should be considered when reviewing samples.

A swatch represents the general appearance and characteristics of a material but may not be identical to every hide or production batch. Final availability should therefore be confirmed before placing a production order.

Tell us what you are developing and which materials you would like to evaluate. Our team will review your request and advise you on available swatches, sample formats, costs and delivery options.