Buyer guide · Faults
Why handmade rugs fail quality checks, and how to prevent it
Handmade rugs most often fail on skew, size, colour, weight and edge finishing, usually because no written standard was set. The fix is to approve a sample, write tolerances down and check every piece against them.
Last updated: 30 October 2026
Common faults at a glance
- Skew
- Rug not square. We hold it within 1 inch.
- Size variation
- Finished size differs from order. We hold plus or minus 3%.
- Colour variation
- Shade differs from approval. Lab dip before production.
- Weight shortfall
- Less yarn than specified. Weight within plus or minus 5%.
Terms at a glance
- Minimum order
- 1 piece
- Sampling cost
- Credited against your order
- Sampling
- 5 to 20 days
- Bulk production
- 8 to 16 weeks
- NDA
- Signed as standard before designs are shared
- Label, barcode, packaging
- Your own, on request
- Payment terms
- 50% advance, 50% before dispatch
Skew and size variation
A handmade rug relaxes off the loom and moves again in washing, so a rug can finish slightly out of square or off size. It fails when a buyer has no written tolerance to measure against. Prevention: a stated tolerance (size plus or minus 3%, skew within 1 inch), measurement of every finished piece, and correction before packing.
Colour variation
Colour fails when the first time a buyer sees the final shade is on arrival. Prevention: approve a lab dip under D65, TL84 and A light before production, and check the finished piece against it. Note that slight shade movement in hand-dyed natural fibres is part of handmade character, which is best agreed in writing. See lab dip and colour matching.
Shedding, weight and density
New wool rugs shed loose fibre early in use, which is normal and reduces over time. Excessive shedding or a thin feel can point to lower density or less yarn than specified. Prevention: weigh every piece against the specification (plus or minus 5%) and check knot or tuft density in process. See weight and GSM checks.
Edge finishing and damp
Edges and binding take the most handling, so loose binding or uneven finishing shows up first. Prevention: hand-finishing inspection after washing and shearing, against the approved sample. Another transit fault is damp: a rug packed before it is fully dry can arrive mildewed, so dryness is checked before packing. See pre-shipment inspection.
The method behind all of this
Every prevention above is the same idea: write the standard down, approve a sample, then check every piece against it. The stages are in rug quality control and on our standards. A good supplier comparison is also on the rug manufacturer checklist.
Get a quote with tolerances in writing
Send your design, size and estimated quantity. We reply within two business days, usually within one. Minimum order: 1 piece. Sampling cost is credited against your order. Payment: 50% advance, 50% before dispatch.
Buyer questions
Rug faults: your questions
What is the most common fault in handmade rugs?
Size and skew problems are common because handmade rugs move after weaving and washing. A written tolerance and measurement of every piece address this.
Is some colour variation normal?
Slight variation can be part of hand-dyed fibres. Approving a lab dip first and agreeing acceptable variation in writing avoids disputes.
Is shedding a defect?
Some early shedding on new wool rugs is normal. Heavy, continuing shedding may indicate low density, which is why weight and density are checked.
How do you prevent skew?
We measure finished pieces and hold skew within 1 inch (about 2.5 cm) before packing.
What size tolerance do you work to?
Plus or minus 3%.
Can a rug be fixed if it fails?
Minor finishing issues can be corrected. A piece outside tolerance is corrected or remade before shipping.
How do I protect myself as a buyer?
Approve a sample, get tolerances in writing and consider an independent inspection. See pre-shipment inspection.
Does a larger order change the checks?
No. The minimum order is 1 piece and each piece is checked.