Transform your finish! Basic carving techniques for beginners
(Updated on July 29, 2025)
Hello! I'm Chris, the manager of RUGMATAG, a tufting specialty store in Osaka.
"The rug design seems a bit blurry..."
"I wish the outline was more defined..."
This time, we will introduce the basics of carving, a technique that will solve these problems!
What is carving?
Carving is a technique that uses a trimmer (rug clippers) to carve out the boundaries between colors and create clearer contours .
Just by taking this simple step, the design will stand out more clearly, and a flat piece will have a three-dimensional feel.
This is a technique that you should definitely remember as it will greatly improve the quality of the finished product.
This time, we will introduce the basics of carving in an easy-to-understand manner, divided into five steps , so that even beginners can put it into practice right away.
First Preparation! Necessary tools and environment
Choosing the right tools and working environment is important for carving. First, gather the following items.
thin plastic rod
Use it to clearly separate the color boundaries (the thin handle of the comb is easy to prepare and recommended).
Trimmer (rug clippers)
This is the main tool for carving.
workspace
Make sure there is enough space for the rug to rotate freely
Dust collector or vacuum cleaner
A lot of hair will come out during the process, so be careful not to inhale it. It is recommended to use a dust collector to suck up the hair as you work.
*You can also use a vacuum cleaner, but please be aware that fine hair may clog the motor or filter, leading to malfunctions.
Five basic steps to carving
1: Separating the boundaries between colors
First, separate the borders with a thin plastic stick .
This is more precise than parting with your fingers and the hair stands up nicely, making the rest of the process easier.
2: Angle of the blade
By holding the trimmer blade at a slight angle rather than vertically, you can create a clearer line.
The impression changes depending on the angle, so try it out a few times to find the way you like best .
3: V-cut for a clear boundary
First, tilt the trimmer blade to one side and carve from one side of the border.
Next, tilt the blade and carve in the same way on the other side, creating a V-shaped groove. 
If you can't separate it neatly the first time, try lifting the hair at the border again and re-separating it before trying again.
Removing any remaining hairs from the border will make the line even sharper.
Point 4: Make sure the border is at its lowest point
The key to beautiful carving is to make the border between colors the lowest point.
By lowering the border, the boundary line becomes clearer.
Point 5: Adjust the overall shape
While keeping an eye on the overall balance, round the corners and adjust the lines of the letters.
Look at it from a little distance and make any adjustments you notice to make it look even better.
Check out the difference between before and after!
Let's compare before and after carving.
Before carving:
The outlines of the letters are blurry and unclear, and the colors appear to blend together.
After carving:
The outlines of the letters become clearer, creating more contrast and making the design appear to pop out in three dimensions!
The contours are clearly visible even when viewed from a distance!
Carving Summary
Finally, let's review what we've covered today.
โ Separating the boundaries between colors
โ Insert the blade at an angle
โ V-cut for a crisp finish
โ Make the border part the lowest
โ Finally, adjust the overall shape
Carving is a technique that improves the more you practice it . It may take time at first, but with practice, your speed and accuracy will naturally improve!
Once you get used to it, try your hand at complex letters and detailed illustrations!
โธป
If you want to check it out in video, click here!
This carving technique is also available on YouTube! If you want to see the moves and tips in the video, be sure to check it out!
Conclusion
Thank you for reading to the end! I hope this article helps you take the next step.
I want to know more about this technique!
Please feel free to send in any comments or questions, such as "I didn't understand this part!"
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