Small samples are indicative only. They give you an indication of the colour and texture of a product, and because of this they can be very misleading when compared to a full slab viewing. A full slab viewing is always the best way to avoid future disappointments. When you view a slab in person you understand the sweep of the veining, how a bookmatched pair meets, what the finish does under warehouse lights, and whether the material genuinely suits the project. That’s why we encourage fabricators, designers and architects to bring their clients to see slabs in person before committing. Occasionally, depending on when an order is placed, the slabs viewed can be the slabs ordered. Here’s how to make the visit count.

Booking your visit

• All visits are by appointment only — weekdays 7:30am–4:30pm and Saturday mornings.
• Call +44 (0)20 8971 7948 or email info@clayinternational.co.uk with a couple of preferred times.
• London: Hub 1, Unit 29, Wimbledon Stadium Centre, Riverside Road, SW17 0BA — the Wimbledon branch also has a showroom where samples and finished work can be viewed.
• Manchester: Unit 6B, Kayley Industrial Estate, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL7 0AU.

Who should come

Ideally, everyone who has to say yes: the fabricator or builder, the designer, and the end client. Choosing the exact slabs together — not from a photo or small sample — removes the single biggest source of surprises or disappointment later. Homeowners are very welcome to visit our showroom and warehouses with or without a trade professional. Our capable Clay team members can discuss the different options with all customers or their representatives in person on the day. Having your interior designer or kitchen designer at the appointment is helpful when discussing your project in more detail, but we understand that’s not always possible. We are happy to report back to your kitchen retailer or stone fabricator on your choices after your visit.

What to bring

• Your finish shortlist (polished, satin, Levigato Pearl or matte) and any effect direction: marble, stone, concrete, metallic or plain.
• Plans and drawings of the space, cabinetry paint colours, samples of any wood veneers, or fabric samples if appropriate — these help during the selection process.
• An idea of timescales.

What happens at the warehouse

You’ll view full slabs from stock and can compare ranges. Our team has general knowledge of the fabrication process and can sometimes help with your questions on thickness for the application and edge profiles. If a range you want isn’t in UK stock, regular deliveries from Infinity’s Italian production mean we can advise realistic lead times there and then. Samples and literature are available for customers to take away with them. We encourage all clients to explore the imagery in our catalogues for further inspiration, and feel free to test any samples you take to ensure the surface performance meets your expectations.

Reserving and delivery

Found the slabs? We require confirmation from either your fabricator, builder or designer to reserve any stock. This ensures correct quantities and bookmatch sets are reserved for your project. We deliver nationwide with no minimum order; charges reflect logistics costs and lead times depend on stock and vehicle availability — we can provide guidelines at the time of order confirmation.

Before you visit

If you’re new to large-format porcelain, ten minutes with our complete guide to porcelain slabs in the UK will make the visit far more productive — it covers sizes, thicknesses, finishes and applications. Then book your appointment and come and see the real thing.