Blank vs. Printed Fragrance Strips: Which Is Right for You?

If you sell perfume, cologne, essential oils, or scented products, chances are you’ve used fragrance test strips—also known as perfume blotters or scent strips. They’re an inexpensive but powerful tool for evaluating scents and sharing samples with customers.

But should you choose blank fragrance strips or invest in custom printed strips with your business name and logo? This guide will help you decide.

What Are Fragrance Test Strips?

Fragrance strips are made from thick, absorbent paper designed to hold fragrance oils without distorting the scent. They allow customers to test perfumes or essential oils without spraying on skin, and they give businesses a professional way to present their products.

At Memory Cross, we offer both blank and custom printed fragrance strips, available in bulk packs starting at 100 for the blanks and 1,000 for the printed.

Blank Fragrance Strips

Pros

• Cost-Effective: Typically less expensive, making them great for high-volume use.

• Versatile: Suitable for perfume houses, essential oil sellers, and product testing labs.

• Writable Surface: Easy to jot down the fragrance name, date, or notes.

• Great for Testing & Development: Ideal for perfumers creating new blends.

Cons

• No Branding: They don’t carry your logo or contact details.

• Easier to Misplace: Customers may take a strip home but won’t know where it came from.

👉 Shop Blank Fragrance Test Strips

Printed Fragrance Strips

Pros

• Professional Branding: Custom printed strips can include your logo, website, and contact info.

• Marketing Tool: Every strip doubles as a business card, keeping your brand in front of customers.

• Customer Experience: A more polished, professional impression that elevates your brand.

• Memorability: When customers revisit a fragrance at home, they’ll know exactly where to buy it.

Cons

• Higher Cost: Custom printing adds to the price, but the branding payoff is worth it.

• Lead Time: Printed strips usually take a longer to produce than blank ones which are in stock available for immediate shipments.

👉 Order Custom Printed Fragrance Strips

Which Should You Choose?

• Choose Blank Strips If… you’re a perfumer, essential oil seller, or testing fragrances in bulk where branding isn’t critical. They’re cost-effective, easy to label, and great for internal use.

• Choose Printed Strips If… you’re selling directly to customers and want to make a lasting impression. Custom printed blotters work like a branded calling card that helps customers remember your business.

Why Not Both?

Many businesses use both blank and printed fragrance strips. Blanks for product development and internal testing. Printed strips for retail sales, events, and customer sampling.

This combination ensures you always have the right tool on hand—cost-effective for bulk use and professional when you need to promote your brand.

Final Thoughts

Fragrance test strips may be small, but they make a big impact in the fragrance world. Whether blank or custom printed, they’re essential for perfume shops, essential oil businesses, and anyone who wants to showcase scents professionally.

👉 Ready to order? Shop our full selection of blank fragrance strips or explore custom printed blotters to take your brand to the next level.