How to Back a Tufted Rug

Tufted rugs have become an extremely popular DIY decoration over the last few years. If you’ve made one of these woolly works of art, you might be wondering what the next steps are after pulling loops of yarn through monks cloth. Specifically, how do you back a tufted rug? There are a few options depending on if your rug will lie on the floor or hang on a wall.

As a professional custom tufted rugs manufacturer, I will help you to find out!

Why Backing is Important

Backing is an essential step when finishing a tufted rug. Without a backing, the underside of your rug would be messy and exposed. Backing tidies up and protects the back of your rug. It also helps the tufted yarn stay in place instead of slipping out over time.

Proper backing extends the life of a tufted rug tremendously. An unbacked tufted rug likely won’t last more than a few months before the yarn starts falling out. Backing glues down the fibers and provides structure.

Glue Before Removing From the Frame

The first step to backing a tufted rug is glue. Apply a latex or rubber-based rug glue to the back while it’s still stretched on the tufting frame. Using a brush or putty knife, cover every inch of the monks cloth backing in a layer of glue. Make sure to spread the glue out to the edges.

Let the glue cure fully before moving to the next step. This ensures the yarn stays locked in place. Taking shortcuts with glue could lead to fibers slipping out later on.

Types of Backing

There are two main categories of backing material for tufted rugs:

Floor Rug Backing

If your tufted rug will live on the floor, choose a sturdy backing:

• Jute: Jute has excellent strength and stability. It’s also eco-friendly as jute is biodegradable. The downside is that it can feel rough or scratchy compared to other options.
• Felt: Polyester felt backing helps rugs lie flat while providing cushioning. It’s also water-resistant. Felt comes in different thicknesses for light or heavy use rugs.
• Action Bac: This synthetic secondary backing has a textured surface to help grip carpets. It prevents rugs from sliding around on slippery floors.
• Rubber: Adhesive-backed rubber sheets create a non-slip surface. These grippy backings keep rugs firmly planted in high-traffic areas.

Wall Hanging Backing

For a tufted wall hanging, lightweight backing materials are ideal:

• Canvas: Simple cotton canvas gives flexibility for rolling wall hangings. Stretching the canvas over a frame creates a gallery wrap finish.
• Fusible Interfacing: This iron-on fabric backing adds structure while remaining lightweight. Fuse interfacing to cotton fabric then stretch over a frame.
• Felt: Thin craft felt is an affordable backing for small tufted pieces. Use spray adhesive to apply felt to the back before framing.

How to Apply Backing

Adding backing is thankfully quite simple after the initial tufting process. Here is the method:

1. Remove the finished tufted rug from the frame after the glue dries. Trim excess monks cloth if desired.
2. Cut the backing material to the same size as the rug’s dimensions.
3. Apply spray adhesive in a layer over the backing fabric. Wait 60 seconds for it to get tacky.
4. Flip the rug over and carefully line it up over the glue covered backing. Gently set down and smooth out any bubbles.
5. For heavier rugs, use a brayer roller to strengthen the bond between the rug and backing.
6. Trim the edges with sharp scissors to neaten the sides.

And that’s it! With proper glue and backing applied, a tufted rug transforms from a messy monk’s cloth canvas into a polished floor covering or wall art ready for decades of admiration.

Long Term Care

Backing extends the lifespan of hand tufted rugs tremendously if paired with proper care. Here are some tips:

• For floor rugs, use rug pads in high foot traffic areas
• Rotate periodically to evenly distribute wear
• Vacuum weekly using low suction on delicate setting
• Professionally clean every 2-3 years to revitalize fibers

With the right techniques, a well-crafted tufted rug can easily last over 10 years. Backing plays a crucial role for longevity, helping glue down yarn so it stays locked in place as the years go by.

How to Back a Tufted Rug

Knowing how to back a tufted rug is one of the fundamental skills for completing these DIY textile projects. After choosing yarn colors and pulling loops through monks cloth, the next step is deciding how to finish the underside of the rug. Backing options vary between floor rugs versus wall hangings. This guide will outline best practices for backing hand tufted rugs based on their final placement.

Securing Yarn Before Backing

The first step is always to glue down the yarn while the project is still stretched on the tufting frame. Quality latex or rubber rug glues work best to keep each fiber locked firmly in position. Go edge-to-edge covering the entire monks cloth backing in glue.

Let it cure 24-48 hours before moving to backing. Rushing this step often leads to yarn slipping out later on. Taking your time with glue prevents headaches down the road.

Backing Selection by Rug Type

Choosing backing materials depends on if the finished rug lays on the floor, hangs on a wall, or serves other decorative purposes like pillows.

Rugs Backing

For rugs intended for high foot traffic areas, durability is essential. These backing fabrics withstand years of shuffling feet:

• Jute burlap – Natural fiber woven backing. Eco-friendly and biodegradable though somewhat scratchy. Offers exceptional strength and structure.
• Felt – Non-woven synthetic fabric made from pressed fibers. Comes in different thicknesses for cushioning. Water and stain resistant.
• Action Bac – Secondary coating with textured surface to prevent sliding. Bonds to primary backing for stability.
• Non-slip rubber – Adhesive sheets add grip to keep rugs firmly planted on floors. Easy to trim edges with scissors.

Wall Hanging Backing

Lightweight backing materials suit tufted rugs destined for walls:

• Canvas – Classic cotton canvas provides flexibility for rolling. Stretches easily over frames for a polished look.
• Fusible Interfacing – This iron-on fabric backing adds structure without heaviness. Fuse to cotton sheeting then frame.
• Felt – Affordable solution for smaller wall hangings. Use spray adhesive to apply thin craft felt prior to framing.

Application Method

Applying backing is straightforward after tufting and glue steps are complete:

1. Carefully cut finished rug away from the frame and trim monks cloth edges if desired.
2. Cut backing fabric to same dimensions as rug size.
3. Apply spray adhesive in even layer to backing material.
4. Smooth rug (glue side down) onto backing fabric. Smooth out any bubbles.
5. Trim edges neatly using sharp scissors or rotary fabric cutter.

And the rug is complete! It’s now ready to be proudly displayed for all to enjoy for years to come thanks to proper glue and backing.

Maintenance for Longevity

With backing securing tufted fibers in place, basic maintenance keeps rugs looking their best:

• Use carpet protectors under heavy furniture
• Vacuum weekly with brush attachment
• Professionally shampoo clean every 2 years
• Avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading

Proper care maintains fibers, glue, and backing so tufted rugs thrive for over a decade rather than falling apart after a few years like their unbacked counterparts.