Design Guidelines

Tufting Design Guidelines

Your designs can be a screenshot, a picture of a rough sketch, or an image you designed digitally. We use a projector to trace the image you send to us, so if your image is a picture of another rug and it is shot from an angle - your rug will be traced in that perspective.

When scheduling your class, you will receive two emails, the first will confirm your reservation and allow you to reschedule your class, the second will contain a design submission link unique to you or the group you booked for. Designs will need to be submitted and approved prior to your class. Please submit your design as quickly as possible, with a deadline of 24 hours before your class, so that we can review your design and offer any changes to make your experience better.

DOs

  • Cartoon style faces with simplified features

  • Bold shapes with clean edges and outline

  • 3-6 key colors that create a cohesive look

  • Large zones of color

  • Flat color blocks or simple shading

  • Hand-drawn, simplified version of your subject

  • Negative space or solid background

DON’Ts

  • Highly realistic portraits with lots of shading

  • Tiny details: thin whiskers/eyelashes, small dots

  • Extremely thin lettering

  • Complex symmetry or intricate patterns

  • Photos turned directly into rug design

  • Designs with ultra high detail characters

  • Designs that fill every inch with tiny elements

Frame Sizing

Simple Design
Examples:
bold icons, clean shapes, blocky graphics
Time: 1.5-3 hours

Moderate Design: space for line work and shading
Examples: cartoon characters, abstract art
Time: 2-4 hours

Complex Design: high level of detail
Examples: detailed characters, landscapes, geometric patterns, pet portraits
Time: 3.5-6 hours