Rugs can be an expensive purchase, so you want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Handmade rugs are usually higher quality and more durable than machine-made rugs, but they also come with a higher price tag. So how do you know if that rug you have your eye on is actually handmade?
In this post, as a professional custom rugs manufacturer, I’ll break down the tell-tale signs of authentic handmade rugs so you can avoid getting duped by a knock-off machine-made imposter.
How to Tell if a Rug is Handmade
Check Out the Backside of the Rug
The easiest way to tell if a rug is hand vs. machine-made is to flip it over and examine the underside (the backside).
Handmade rugs will have slight imperfections and irregularities in the knots and threads along the back. It’s impossible for even the most skilled artisan to create perfect uniformity across the entire rug by hand. You’ll notice some knots are looser, some rows aren’t perfectly straight, and so on.
With a machine-made rug, the underside will appear flawlessly uniform. Since powerful machines do all the work, there are no imperfections or human errors to be found. The knots (if visible at all) create an almost honeycomb-like pattern of perfect symmetry from end to end.
So if you flip over that rug and notice small irregularities and imperfections, you likely have a handmade piece!
Inspect the Fringe
Another tell-tale sign of handmade rugs is visible when you examine the fringe.
With authentic handmade rugs, the fringe runs continuously from the same threads used to weave the rest of the rug. In other words, the fringe should appear as an extension of the rug itself rather than something added on later.
Machine-made rugs sometimes forego fringe altogether. But if fringe exists, you’ll likely find it was sewn on separately after the initial construction rather than integrated directly into the weaving process.
So if the fringe seems structurally integral to the rest of the rug, that’s a good sign you have a legit handmade piece!
Consider the Materials Used
True handmade rugs use all-natural fibers, yarns and dyes, including:
- Wool
- Cotton
- Silk
- Vegetable-based dyes
You won’t find any synthetic materials like nylon, polyester or chemical dyes in an authentic handmade Oriental or Persian rug.
So if you spot synthetic yarns or fabrics, that’s a red flag you’re dealing with a machine-made imitation. Natural plant-based dyes also provide assurance of authenticity since they’ve been used for centuries in hand weaving traditions.
Compare Prices
Handmade rugs require an incredible amount of highly-skilled labor to produce. A single 8′ x 10′ rug can take a team of artisans over a year to hand knot!
So it’s no surprise authentic handmade rugs cost a premium. In fact, prices commonly range from $1,000 up to $100,000 for top-tier pieces.
If you locate a large, intricate rug advertised at an unusually low price (like a few hundred bucks), odds are it’s a machine-made replica. The price point alone exposes it as counterfeit.
While scoring an unbelievable deal isn’t impossible, genuine handmade rugs hold value incredibly well. So compare against other pricing for confirmation when unsure.
Key Takeaways for Identifying Handmade Rugs:
- Subtle imperfections along backside point to handmade quality
- Integrated fringe hints at artisanal construction
- Natural materials like wool and silk used throughout
- Pricing often $1,000+ for authentic pieces
Armed with these tips, you can now enter any rug shop or browse online listings with confidence. Just flip, inspect, feel and compare, and you’ll be able to reliably identify the coveted handmade gems from the mass-produced machine imposters.
More Rug Buying Tips
Beyond spotting handmade rugs, choosing the perfect area rug for your space involves a few additional considerations like size, color and style.
Here are some quick tips to pick the perfect rug:
- Size it right – Make sure rug dimensions fit the room with 18-24 inches spare floor space on all sides.
- Match décor colors – Coordinate rug hue with existing furniture and wall colors.
- Consider pile height – Low pile for high-traffic areas, high pile for plush comfort.
- Compare shapes – Rectangle and runner rugs for hallways, round rugs for accent areas.
- Review materials – Wool suits best for durability and stain resistance.
- Set a budget – Prices span a huge range from $100 to $100,000+
The Last Word on Identifying Handmade Rugs
Rugs are a big investment, so it pays to get educated before visiting local rug stores or browsing online listings.
By using the tips in this guide, you can reliably assess any rug and determine if it meets the standards of authentic handmade quality. This saves you from overpaying for cheap machine-made knockoffs.
Just remember to flip it over, scrutinize the fringe, check for natural materials, and compare pricing. If everything checks out, then you can hand over your hard-earned cash knowing you’ve scored a handcrafted piece of functional art!