REVIEW: Samplize Peel & Stick Paint Color Samples
How to sample paint, save money, & have fun
Are you tired of sampling paint the old-fashioned way? Do you have a patchwork of paint colors on your walls and a pyramid of 3/4 empty sample pots on your dining table? I get it. While I spend most of my days helping YOU choose the best paint colors for your home, I also spend a lot of time sampling colors for my own home, and it can be EXHAUSTING. I mean, nothing a glass or five two of wine can’t help with, but still.
WHAT IS SAMPLIZE PEEL & STICK?
Samplize offers PEEL & STICK paint samples that you slap right on your wall—no brush, roller, mess, or stress. Okay, I can’t guarantee the stress part (insert deep breathing exercises HERE). However, between my blog posts and these samples…
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Your paint-pickin’ life just got a whooooole lot easier, and a whole lot more fun!
WHAT BRANDS DOES SAMPLIZE CARRY?
SAMPLIZE has partnered with today’s top paint brands, including Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, Farrow & Ball & PPG. Oh, yeah, and they save you money while you’re doing it.
IS SAMPLIZE LEGIT?
You bet your booty it is. When helping you choose the best paint color for your home, these peel and stick samples are as legit as it gets (other than me, I’m a pretty legit color-picking tool, too).
If myself and the TOP PAINT BRANDS brands have partnered with them, I’d say they’re pretty badass (I don’t even have a partnership with BM and SW – just SAMPLIZE).
And guess what? You don’t even need to put pants on to sample paint. That’s right, FRONT DOOR DELIVERY!
ARE SAMPLIZE PEEL & STICK ACCURATE?
Yes. 100% accurate and true to color. SAMPLIZE uses real paint from each manufacturer, giving you the EXACT color you’re looking for – two coats of it. In fact, SAMPLIZE samples are more accurate than what you see in the fan deck/paper chip samples in the store.
WHAT FINISH ARE SAMPLIZE PEEL AND STICK?
Samplize colors are painted with an eggshell finish, making them applicable to most projects. As the late great Goldilocks once said, ‘…it’s juuuuuuust right’.
Eggshell is the most popular paint finish. However, if you like to paint your walls matte, you know that’s just a wee shift from eggshell. On the other hand, if you want your cabinets or trim to be satin/pearl, you know there will be a touch more sheen!
The Best Paint Finishes For Your Project
SAMPLIZE PROS AND CONS
Let’s start with the PROS…
THE COST
Most of the SAMPLIZE samples cost $5.95 USD. That’s it. And they usually run discounts depending on how much you order.
On the other hand, the average sample pot is $9.99 to $13.99. Add in a roller/tray/canvas, and you’re at approximately $15 per sample, plus your blood, sweat, and many tears.
IT’S MESS-FREE
Sure, you have some paper backing to recycle – big whoop. No more sloppy paint pots, dripping rollers, or walls that look like they’ve been in a paintball war.
IT’S EASY – FRONT-DOOR DELIVERY
You don’t even have to leave your home – SAMPLIZE delivers to your front door, sometimes within ONE BUSINESS day (location dependent*).
IT’S MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
You don’t need to be a tree-hugger to know that sampling paints the traditional way isn’t exactly ‘earth-friendly.’ I did this for years and still have the pyramid of cans in my garage to prove it (most of them are still 3/4 full of unused paint).
As for the CONS, to be honest, there aren’t many, but I do have two…
FINISHES
Don’t get me wrong; I love that their samples are in an eggshell finish; it applies to most projects. However, when doing my Color Consulting, I would LOOOVE to order samples in cabinet finish (satin/pearl). However, I realize I am the exception, not the rule.
ABILITY TO RE-USE SAMPLES
You can’t put your SAMPLIZE sample on its backing again. Or you can, but it’s painstakingly hard. Once you peel that bad boy off, you’re committed. However, let me tell you what to do (I’m a bossy lil thing)…
1. Start with 6-8 paint samples of colors that are ‘similar’ to each other (COMPARISON is KEY when sampling paint!).
2. Keep all peel & stick samples on their paper backing, and use a little piece of tape to stick them up (seems silly, I know, but humor me).
3. Once you’ve narrowed it down to your fave two or three, THEN take the backing off these samples only. This way, you can pass along/save/use for crafts the samples that still have their backing.
If you love Samplize Peel & Stick, did you know you can order countertop and flooring samples online, too?
HOW TO USE SAMPLIZE PEEL AND STICK
The tips below will help you choose the best paint color for your walls, cabinets, trim, or exterior.
Having trouble choosing which colors to sample? You know who to holler at.
1. TAPE WHITE PAPER AROUND YOUR SAMPLE
Your old paint color will 100% influence your perception of the NEW paint color. A bit of white around the edges helps to create a more neutral base to judge your samples.
2. MOVE YOUR SAMPLE TO DIFFERENT WALLS & LIGHTING SITUATIONS
One of the most important tips when sampling paint and picking your room’s best color is to MOVE your sample around – different walls, lighting, day/night. Another great thing about SAMPLIZE is that you can move it dozens of times. I tested a sample to see how many times I could move it (with the backing off), and I literally could’ve gone on and on (kind of like when I’m talking).
3. PEEL IT OFF WITH TWO HANDS
I’m showing you this first photo as my hair looks great, and I also want to show you how not to take SAMPLIZE off the wall.
If you want to move your sample to different walls with no muss no fuss, the two-handed approach (also helpful when drinking wine) makes for an easier, wrinkle-free transition (I wonder if they would make SAMPLIZE for my face)…
4. POUR A GLASS OF WINE
That’s right. Picking paint colors is WAY easier when you have a bottle and a funnel of wine glass of wine by your side (as mentioned earlier, it’s one of my four favorite topics). Not only does WINE make sampling paint more fun – but SAMPLIZE makes sampling paint more fun!
WHERE SHOULD YOU PUT YOUR PEEL & STICK PAINT SAMPLES?
- directly beside your trim (either painted or wood)
- on the wall behind the main furniture pieces
- next to finishes like fireplace stone and backsplash tile
HOW NOT TO SAMPLE YOUR COLORS
- paint samples floating in the middle of the wall don’t work; your color needs something to be bumped up with or visually connected to (re: my previous bulleted list)
This next photo shows the RIGHT SAMPLES but the wrong sampling technique.
- There’s no white paper around the samples to separate them – yup, you even need to separate them from drywall!
- They aren’t being compared to anything – trim, countertop – surely, they’ve picked out SOME product they could compare them to!
If you’re wondering how legitimate this review is, please note that there are few products I personally endorse – I’m no influencer and don’t pawn off hundreds of Amazon and Wayfair products for sharts n’ giggles.
So while I benefit financially from this partnership with SAMPLIZE, I could partner with MANY…many other brands and have had the opportunity to do so. But I haven’t (with very few exceptions). End of story.
WHY DO I LOVE SAMPLIZE PEEL & STICK SO MUCH?
My job as a Paint Color Expert and blogger is to make YOUR life easier when picking paint and decorating your home – in fact, I’ve written a few hundred (almost 600) articles on these topics.
I’m not messin’ around and will NEVER buy another sample pot again*. SAMPLIZE IS A GAME-CHANGER. It’s lit my lil color-lovin’ world on FIRE. And if I think it’s awesome, I know you will, too.
*FULL DISCLOSURE: I only buy a sample pot when I need to see a paint color lighten or darken by a certain percentage – in other words, not very often.
I bet you have more questions about this product, in which case, they have a great FAQ page.
READ MORE
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing White Paint Colors
How to Sample Paint Colors the RIGHT WAY
The 8 Best Whole Home Warm Neutral Paint Colors
The 8 Best White Paint Colors from Benjamin Moore
The 5 Best Off-White Paint Colors
Need help?
Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting; I’d love to help!
I just ordered 3 samples for a client and everything you say is true!! I have some sample boards I purchased that are mainly neutrals but that doesn’t help when choosing anything else..like a bright blue for a front door!!
Oooo Maggie! That’s my daughter’s name, it’s just SO stinkin’ gorgeous. And I know, aren’t they awesome, I’m totally addicted.
Thanks, Kylie, I love Samplize also! And your articles and video reviews have been very instructive as well as entertaining. I would warn against counting too much on the precise accuracy of the whites. I have made my own test board of actual Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace, for example, from a gallon BM can and held it up to the Samplize, and they are not a perfect match. That said, you do get a relative comparison between whites, just not exactly true to actual color. Maybe it’s me- anyone else notice that?
I own probably 20 Samplize sheets in various shades of white, griege, and black. So far I have retained the backing on them all, preferring to tape them to long sheets of white paper and use painters tape (or push pins) to temporarily hang them in various places.
Sometimes I want a larger sample, like half of a poster board sheet, and will buy a $3.99 paint sample from Home Depot (they offer various sheens) and use a cheap or even foam brush. While the color may not be a perfect match, it’s close enough, especially on mid to lower LRV colors. This works especially well for outdoor options, like choosing shutter or porch ceiling color where a larger sample is helpful.
By the way, leftover sample paints are great for kids crafts. This week I am letting my grandsons paint “stones” onto their dishwasher box house.
Hi Gari! You know what’s a REAL bugger? Is that there can be variation in how a colour looks based on the LEVEL of paint you choose as well as the sheen. For example, the formula or recipe that goes into making Chantilly Lace in, say, Benjamin Moore Regal, will be different from the formula that makes it in Aura. So, I know this isn’t something unique to Samplize, it’s an industry issue if you ask me. And that’s interesting, I’m going to posting an article in the next month or so re: colour matching, so I’m happy for your info on that too! And this is true, I seriously have over 100 sample pots…at least. Crafts it is! Hope the kids like gray and beige… ;).
~Kylie
I also ordered Samplize samples recently and some were very close to the Benjamin Moore color chip from the store while others were lighter to the point that I then went out to buy actual paint to sample and I’m glad I did. The actual paint was truer to the paint chip when I held it up. The sheen difference could not account for the difference in the Samplize sample nd the actual color.
So I would say use Samplize to get ‘an idea’ of how the color will look, but don’t make a decision until you put paint on the wall.
Ahhh, what’s funny is that i JUST wrote a new blog post about this today that explains EXACTLY why this happens! And you’re right, I also recommend that before you bite the bullet, if you’re at all concerned, get a quart of the exact type of paint/finish you plan on using and see how it looks :)https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/samplize-peel-stick-paint-color-samples-faqs-tips-ideas/
Big fan of Samplize! We’re remodeling a house and adding an addition. I many more samples than I’ll probably need but this way I’m prepared to choose paint colors once the drywall is up. (Our builder can’t understand why I can’t do it with just the framing in place. Ha!) I use Scotch wall safe tape to attached the samples to a piece of white poster board. Then, I tape the poster board to the wall with the same tape. No issues with damage to the sample. It’s this tape:
https://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Wall-Safe-Repositionable-Invisible-813S6/dp/B07BVNYVZR/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=scotch+brand+wall+safe&qid=1585409011&sr=8-2
My husband appreciates not having all of the small pots and cans filling up a shelf in the basement so we’re both happy.
OOOO, I LIKE THIS IDEA! You’re a genius. I need to be able to reuse my samples for my Youtube colour videos and this is a GREAT solution (as they don’t love going back on their paper). THANK YOU!!
You do have great hair! Love your blog.
Oh you.. ;). thank you! It was a great hair day…
Hi Kylie,
Just tried the Samplize site but unfortunately they are closed due to Covid19. Is there another site you would recommend for samples?
Thanks, Susan
Sadly no, it’s back to good old sample pots for a while! Stay healthy 🙂
I come from a country with excellent wines.. … If wine makes you write articles like this, I will be glad to send you some bottles 🙂 Thank you, you helped me a lot… Irena Slovenia
We are KINDRED SPIRITS Irena!~ And aren’t you lucky. Where we are on the island, we’re lucky to get a fruit wine – which are terrible. If you’ve ever been to the Okanagan in British Columbia though, they have AMAAAAZING wines and are only a days drive away for us!
Hi- Your blog is so helpful. Thank you. Are Samplize the same as the peel and stick product Sherwin Williams sells under their own name? If not, is one more accurate than the other? Would you recommend these for kitchen cabinets or just walls? Thanks again!
Hey Amy, as far as I know, they’re one and the same, as I was told that Samplize supplies to SW :). I recommend them for BOTH. Once you think you’ve picked your final cabinet color, I would get a quart mixed up in the type of paint/sheen you’ll use. This is expensive to do during the sampling process, but a good ‘final check’ once you’ve picked your color. With the shift in sheen from walls (matte/eggshell) to cabinet paint (satin), there can be a subtle tweak in color (sometimes) :).