• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Car Interiors: From Drawing to Reality

September 5, 2012 By Naseem

Like artists painting canvas, auto trimmers design car interiors by choosing from a vast palette of colors and textures. However, the combinations we choose – or advice our customers to choose – aren’t always easy to explain without reference. That’s why I always advice trimmers to use illustrations.

Drawing out your ideas allows for both you and your customers to experiment with colors and patterns before ordering materials or sewing a single stitch. It also helps to ensure that both parties are on the same page when it comes to design, and have similar expectations for the end result.

To get started, all you need is paper, color pencils and some creativity.

Don’t worry if you’re no Vincent van Gogh. Even the most basic of sketches can help iron out the details of an impending build. After all, the drawing is only going to be used as a reference point, not hung in an art gallery.

Tech savvy trimmers may even want to consider using design software. These range from the very basic and easy to use, like Microsoft Paint, to the very complex, like AutoCAD. However, the most commonly used are CorelDRAW and Adobe Illustrator.

Regardless of whether you choose to illustrate your design ideas by pencil or computer, one thing’s for sure – doing so can ultimately save you time and money.

Need inspiration? Check out the following illustrations by Carlex Design:

Filed Under: Archive, Better Business, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Adobe Illustrator, Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, AutoCAD, Car Interior, Carlex Design, CorelDraw, Microsoft Paint

Primary Sidebar

THR Sponsors

NC Sewing Machines
Miami Corporation - Right Rail Ad 3
  • Keyston Bros
  • Hyde Leather
  • Douglass Interior Products
  • Albright's Supply
  • OEM+ Banner Ad - The Hog Ring

THR Favorites

What’s Your Type of Upholstery Shop?

Auto upholstery isn’t a uniform industry … [more] about What’s Your Type of Upholstery Shop?

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - DIY Custom Headliner

DIY: Custom Headliner Madness

There are a lot of DIY auto upholstery videos … [more] about DIY: Custom Headliner Madness

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Ish Jimenez - West Coast Customs

Talking Shop with Trimmer Ish Jimenez 2

In part one of our three-part interview … [more] about Talking Shop with Trimmer Ish Jimenez 2

The Hog Ring- First Project Car 1969 Dodge Charger

THR’s First Project Car: 1969 Dodge Charger

Big News! The Hog Ring just acquired its … [more] about THR’s First Project Car: 1969 Dodge Charger

The Hog Ring - How to Upholster a Steering Wheel

This is How to Upholster a Steering Wheel

Want to learn how to upholster a steering … [more] about This is How to Upholster a Steering Wheel

The Hog Ring - Side Impact Airbag Seams

Read This Before Sewing Airbag Seams

One of the most heated debates in the auto … [more] about Read This Before Sewing Airbag Seams

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • Auto Interior Manufacturer Expands Alabama Operation, Signals More Jobs
  • Hydes Leather Introduces Their 3D Mesh Spacer Fabric
  • Choosing the Right Grommet for Long Lasting Performance
  • Chinese Automaker Patents Slide Out Toilet for Drivers Who Can’t Hold It
  • The Foam and Adhesives Industry’s Biggest Event Returns in June

Recent Comments

  • Edward Munday on Hidden Mouse Nest? How to Charge for the Extra Dirty Work
  • Jack on Keyston Bros. Acquires DLT Corporation
  • Brodie Smith on Aston Martin Just Introduced a New Convertible DB12
  • THE CAPTAIN on 6 Tips for Turning Callers into Customers
  • Dmei on Star Wars Seat Covers are ‘So Wizard’

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.

Copyright © 2026 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in