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Tandus Releases Sustainable Carpet Sample Book

In this book, swatches are meant to be torn off—an act normally discouraged.

Mairi Beautyman -- Interior Design, 6/26/2006 12:00:00 AM

High-tech digital technology is taking the carpet industry by storm. The latest endeavor is an innovative sustainable carpet sample book released by carpet manufacturer Tandus, with help from sustainable design firm Tricycle. The Blink Book, using SIM from Tricycle simulation, features all three Tandus brands—Monterey, C&A and Crossley—and minimizes the need for carpet samples that end up in landfill.

The Blink Book boasts both digitally-accurate paper samples and a designer-friendly format. Swatches are meant to be torn off, a practice normally discouraged by manufacturers, who are then forced to replace samples, or the book itself. The book is also thin—requiring one-third of the shelf space of traditional sample books, and produced to be disassembled and recycled at the end of its life cycle. Since swatches are designed to be easily replaced when a manufacturer changes colors, this life cycle is actually significantly longer.

"While we feel the blink book concept is potentially patentable, we aren't interested in protecting this system from industry-wide use," says Tandus Senior Vice President Lee Schilling. "Because of the significant financial impact as well as environmental benefits, Tandus encourages other manufactures to replicate this system of sampling. The impact on the carpet industry, and beyond, could be enormous."

The Blink Book is part of the firm’s sustainable Blink by Tandus program, an integrated web and print program which launched last year. Through Blink, interior designers can create virtual custom samples for immediate viewing online and for quick delivery of color accurate, realistic print samples and room scenes.