There's something special about seeing a familiar image transformed into a new material. A painting you made, a child's drawing from the fridge, your business logo, a design you've carried around in a sketchbook for years: rendered in hand-tufted wool, it becomes something you can touch, with real depth and warmth.
Here's how custom tufting works, which designs translate best, and how to prepare your artwork so the finished piece looks exactly how you imagine it.
What can be made into a custom tufted piece?
Almost any flat artwork can be translated into wool. Some of the most popular ideas:
- Your own paintings and illustrations. Artists love seeing their work take on a new, three-dimensional life.
- Children's drawings. Bold lines, bright colours and simple shapes translate beautifully, and the result becomes a family heirloom.
- Logos and brand marks. A tufted logo makes a memorable statement in an office, studio, shop, café or hotel lobby.
- Meaningful symbols. A family crest, a place on a map, a favourite motif, initials or a date.
- Simplified pet or portrait silhouettes. Clean outlines and flat colour work far better than photographic detail.
What makes a design translate well
Tufting builds an image from fields of wool, each a raised block of a single colour, with carved edges between them. That means some designs work naturally, and others need to be adapted.
Works beautifully
- Bold, clear shapes with defined edges
- Flat areas of colour, rather than gradients
- A limited palette: fewer, stronger colours read better than many subtle shades
- Graphic, abstract or folk-style artwork
- Clean lines that aren't too thin
Harder to translate
- Photographs and photorealistic images
- Realistic faces: subtle shifts in tone and tiny features are very difficult to capture in wool
- Smooth gradients and soft blending between colours
- Very fine lines, small text and tiny details, which can get lost in the pile
None of these rule a design out. Usually, the answer is to simplify: reduce the number of colours, turn a gradient into two or three distinct bands, or enlarge small details. We'll suggest adjustments when we review your artwork.
Size makes a difference. The larger the piece, the more detail it can hold. A design that feels crowded at 60 × 80 cm may work perfectly at 120 × 160 cm.
How the custom process works
- Send us your artwork. A clear photo or scan is enough to start. Tell us the size you're thinking of and where it will hang. Get in touch here.
- We review the design. We'll let you know how well it will translate, and suggest any changes that will make it look its best in wool: simplifying details, adjusting colours or recommending a size.
- Design approval and quote. We agree the design, size, colours and price with you before anything is made.
- Hand-tufting. Your piece is tufted by hand, line by line, then sheared and carved so each colour stands as its own raised field of wool. Read more about how tufting works.
- Your approval. When it's finished, we send you photos or video. Nothing ships until you're happy with it.
- Delivered ready to hang. Your piece arrives with a hook-and-loop hanging strip. Here's how to hang it.
How to prepare your artwork
- Photograph it in daylight, straight on, without shadows or glare. Or scan it.
- Send the highest-resolution file you have. For digital artwork, the original file is best.
- Tell us which colours matter most. Colours on screens vary, so if a particular shade is important, mention it, or send a physical colour reference.
- Only send artwork you own or have permission to use. That includes your own work, your child's, or a logo for a business you represent.
About colour
Every colour in your piece is matched from dyed wool. We match each shade as closely as possible, but wool and screens show colour differently: wool is matte and soft, while screens are bright and backlit. Expect the overall feel of your artwork to come through faithfully, with colours that look richer and warmer in person.
Custom ideas for businesses
A tufted logo or brand artwork brings warmth and texture to commercial spaces in a way a printed sign can't:
- Reception and lobby walls
- Offices and meeting rooms, where wool also helps soften echo
- Restaurants, cafés and hotels
- Retail spaces and studios
If you need several pieces or have a specific deadline, mention it when you get in touch.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a custom piece take?
Timing depends on size and complexity. If you need it by a specific date, let us know when you get in touch.
How much does a custom tufted piece cost?
Price depends mainly on size and design complexity. Send us your artwork and preferred size, and we'll give you a quote before anything is made.
Can you make a tufted piece from a photo?
We can work from photos, but photographic detail doesn't translate directly into wool. We'll usually suggest simplifying the image into clear shapes and flat colours, which tends to give a much stronger result.
Can you tuft a realistic portrait or face?
Realistic faces are one of the hardest things to capture in wool, because they rely on very subtle changes in tone. Stylised or graphic portraits work much better. We'll be honest with you about what's achievable.
Will I see my design before it's made?
Yes. We confirm the design, size and colours with you before production starts, and send photos or video of the finished piece before it ships.
Can I choose the size?
Yes. Custom pieces can be made to fit your wall. Our size guide can help you decide.
Have an artwork in mind? Send it to us and we'll tell you how it would look in wool.
Send us your artwork →
