How to Tell If a Rug Is Handmade: 7 Signs Experts Look For (Abrash Is One of Them)

• 07 July 2026
• 9 Min Read
• By Jaipur Rugs

Wondering how to know if a rug is handmade? Get an overview of 7 key characteristics that will help you identify if a rug is truly handmade and learn about its differences compared to machine-made rugs, and why they do not lose their value. Here is what to keep in mind when buying a handmade rug.

Now let's talk about the truth. Investing in a rug means being able to distinguish between what is real and what is not. The rug industry is loaded with machine-made rugs posing as the authentic ones. It's frustrating when you think you got a handmade deal but find out you're dealing with twenty-minute factory-made stuff.

The positive side of the story? Handmade rugs will tell you the truth each and every time if you know where to look. And as soon as you learn those telltale signs, you'll be able to tell in just 10 seconds whether a rug is a fraud or not.

We at Jaipur Rugs specialize in hand-knotted, hand tufted, flatweaves and handloom rugs and have seen enough to know these signs. Here's the list of 7 things to watch out for. One of them is an amazing feature called abrash.

Quick tip: If a rug is handmade, the back will have slight irregularities in the hand-knotted knots; color changes smoothly throughout the rug (abrash effect); the dye colors are soft-looking; the fringe is woven into the rug; and the design has slight flaws. The machine-made rug looks too perfect and has a hard, printed backing.

Flip It Upside Down First

You always begin with the back side. There is nothing faster to determine it.

Flip over an authentic rug and notice thousands of knots that are slightly different from one another since every knot is tied by a human being. The image is quite clear from the back, just like you could see it through the window. This is the sign of authentic hand-knotted rugs.

Now, flip over a machine-made rug. The back is rigid and sometimes glued. The pattern on the back side is blurry or not even printed. If you see that the knots are a bit uneven and not regular, it is the right thing to do.

Abrash: The One Most People Miss

Time for the tricky one. Have you ever heard the term 'abrash' and had no idea what it meant? It’s quite simple, really. Abrash is the slight shift in color that you'll see across your handmade rug, appearing as light color streaks or bands of one color in your rug.
What causes it? Our artisans dye the wool in small batches, and each batch varies in color. As the rows in the rug build up, the color tone changes slightly. Abrash is when it happens. Blue rugs show abrash best – you might have a deeper indigo in one part of the rug, while the other is lighter.

Don't worry, it's not a defect of any kind. In fact, collectors specifically look for the abrash rug because its changing color tones add a whole new dimension to the rug. No machine can replicate that effect. The color of the machine-made rug is even and uniform throughout. 

Antique abrash rugs are the most desired items available for this very reason. "Character" of the rug refers to abrash.

Also read: Why Top Interior Designers are Switching to Indian Handmade Rugs

The Colors Should Be Natural

Authentic handmade rugs are generally colored with natural dyes derived from plants, roots, and minerals. Red and warm orange rugs are made using the madder root. Blue colors are achieved using indigo, while pomegranate and turmeric are used to get soft yellow rugs.

Natural-dye rugs have a warm, slightly subdued glow. These colors do not harm your eyes, and they grow better over time, unlike synthetic dyes, which give a good, even, neon-like effect under store lights. They age well without fading into nothingness.

One thing to keep in mind is that natural dyeing is generally associated with abrash. If you spot a natural dye coloration in the rug, it is a good indicator of the point mentioned above.

The Touch of Hand Spun Yarn

Take a closer look at the wool itself and check it by running it through your fingers. In a handmade rug, the yarn is usually hand spun; thus, it will be slightly irregular, and sometimes thicker, sometimes thinner.

This is what you should expect. Hand-spun yarn absorbs dye in a slightly different manner; therefore, it contributes to the development of the abrash effect. Hand-spun wool rugs have more character and soul than machine-made ones. They can be slightly rustic, while machine-spun yarn is identical throughout and quite boring.

Also read: The Power of Subtle Rugs in Bold Interiors: Inside the Abrash Collection

Pull the Fringe

Fringe is crafty, but it reveals quite a bit. In a handmade carpet, the fringe is not a decorative element added later. The fringe is the warp threads that go all the way across the rug, which have been knotted.

So pull the fringe, gently. It will not come off in an authentic piece since it holds the rug together. But it can be found in many machine-made and hand-tufted rugs, as it was added later.

Find the Imperfections

When you think of handmade, you probably think of something that's a little rough around the edges - and that's exactly what you get. Handmade is human-made, after all, and we're not talking about robots here. 

So you're likely to find small, honest imperfections that come with the territory - a line that wobbles ever-so-slightly, a shape on the left that doesn't quite match its twin on the right, a border that's off by a hair.

This is actually what the experts are looking for. Even on high-quality pattern rugs, there's usually a bit of a mismatch between the two halves - and that's the whole point. 

Whether you're in the market for an ornate traditional rug or something chic and modern, those tiny little human touches are what prove its authenticity. And if everything is just too darn perfect, you can bet your bottom dollar it was printed by a machine.

Trust Your Instincts on the Material

Last thing to consider: what exactly is the rug made of? Most high-quality handmade pieces are made of wool, silk, or cotton.

Quality wool rugs have a really nice, springy feel - and they bounce right back when you press down. You'll also notice they're pretty darn tough and stain-resistant, which is why they last for decades. Silk rugs, on the other hand, have a cool, shiny feel and a bit of a shimmer as you walk past.

And then there are cotton rugs, which tend to be a bit lighter and are often flatweave. 

And let's not forget the machine-made pieces - they usually lean on synthetics that feel plasticky and just kind of flat-out lose their shape under your feet in no time.

So, Why Do You Need to Pay More for Handmade?

Once you start noticing these little signs, the price tag makes a lot more sense. Every single knot, every batch of natural dye, every streak of abrash on that rug is the result of real human skill - and real hours of hard work. Factories might be able to copy the look, but they can't replicate the actual work that went into making it.

And the good news is that a good handmade rug doesn't just wear out - it actually gets better with age. It softens, it ages, and it usually looks even more beautiful as the years go by. 

You're not really just buying a floor covering, by the way - you're buying a small, truly unique piece of art that your family may be fighting over someday. Handmade carpets and rugs retain their value unlike anything else on the floor.

Ready to Find Your Dream Rug?

Now that you know the 7 signs to look for, you can actually shop as you mean it. Got your heart set on a timeless, oriental rug? 

Want something soothing and neutral for the living room, or maybe a soft pink rug tucked away in a bedroom? 

Just look for that hand-tied back, the subtle abrash, and that warm glow of natural dyes.

Got something specific in mind? A round rug looks great under a dining table, a grey rug and a black rug can really ground a modern space, and a custom rug lets you choose the exact size, color, and design you're after. 

Check out the Jaipur Rugs handmade collection and bring home a rug that's truly one of a kind.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does abrash mean in a rug?

Abrash is that nifty color variation you see across a handmade rug - soft bands or streaks that pop up in one color. It's pretty simple - the wool is hand-dyed in small batches, and you'd be surprised how different the same batch can look from one to another - no two are ever a perfect match. And that's exactly what makes a rug so genuine.

Is abrash actually a defect?

No. In fact, abrash is a big giveaway that a rug is the real deal. It's a totally natural occurrence that happens when the wool is hand-spun and hand-dyed - big deal. Many collectors love abrash rugs because the way the colors shift just adds to the rug's character - just like how a handmade rug is the only one of its kind.

How do I know if a rug is hand-made or machine-made?

Well, here's the trick: flip it over. Handmade rugs are pretty easy to spot - those hand-tied knots might be slightly uneven, and the design appears on the back, all clear as day. And if you see a stiff or printed backing on the back, that's a pretty good sign it's been made on one of those big machines. And of course, look out for abrash, those lovely hand-spun yarns, and a few little imperfections in the pattern - these are surefire signs that your rug has been lovingly handmade.

Do all handmade rugs have abrash?

Not every time. Abrash tends to show up most in rugs that have been made with hand-spun wool and natural dyes - old and tribal pieces especially. It is a pretty strong clue that a rug has been handmade, though - if it's there, then that's a good sign that your rug has been made with some great skill and care. But it's worth noting that a rug can still be handmade without much in the way of abrash.

Are handmade rugs worth all the money?

Absolutely. A handmade rug will last you for years, withstand some serious wear and tear, and - the best part - will actually just get more beautiful and valuable with time. Every single knot and every batch of natural dye that goes into making a handmade rug is a genuine human effort, which is why a good handmade rug is honestly worth every penny and then some - it's a work of art, not just a throwaway rug.

What are these natural dyes in rugs?

So you want to know about natural dyes? Well, they're just that - colors made from plants, roots, or minerals like madder root for red, indigo for blue, and turmeric for yellow. Natural-dyed rugs have this gorgeous, warm look that just gets richer with time - no surprise, really, that they're one of the reasons abrash starts to pop up in handmade pieces.

Jaipur Rugs

Established in 1978 under the guidance of NK Chaudhary, Jaipur Rugs stands as a beacon for preserving India's rich heritage of traditional rug-making on a global scale. Through strategic collaborations with esteemed international designers and skilled artisans, we curate a collection of award-winning luxury rugs that seamlessly blend timeless elegance with contemporary aesthetics. This unwavering commitment to craftsmanship and customization has firmly established Jaipur Rugs as a leader in the rug manufacturing industry.