• 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
  • OEM+ Banner Ad - The Hog Ring
  • Hyde Leather
  • Keyston Bros
  • Douglass Interior Products
  • Albright's Supply
  • MasterTech Expo 2026

THR Favorites

Watch Tim Amanns Build a Console

Take a behind-the-scenes look at how hot rod … [more] about Watch Tim Amanns Build a Console

The Hog Ring - 5 Gorgeously Trimmed Motorcycle Helmets

5 Gorgeously Trimmed Motorcycle Helmets

You won't find a lot of auto upholstery shops … [more] about 5 Gorgeously Trimmed Motorcycle Helmets

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Molded Automotive Carpet

How Molded Vehicle Carpets are Made

Have you ever wondered how automotive carpet … [more] about How Molded Vehicle Carpets are Made

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Mercedes-Benz Interior Paint

Mercedes-Benz SLK: Painting Interior Plastic

I recently purchased a 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK … [more] about Mercedes-Benz SLK: Painting Interior Plastic

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - JNG Creations

Shop Profile: JNG Creations

It’s no secret that there’s a lack of … [more] about Shop Profile: JNG Creations

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Bentley Mulsanne Steering Wheel

Wrapping a Bentley Steering Wheel

Believe it or not, wrapping the Mulsanne’s … [more] about Wrapping a Bentley Steering Wheel

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • Keyston Bros Drops 10 New Carbon Fiber Vinyl Colors and They Pop
  • Trimmer Michael Andrew Piccolo Dies at 67
  • 2026 SEMA Show Registration Opens May 4
  • Nexus Fastening Co. Introduces Solid Gold Hog Rings for Luxury Cars
  • Everything We Covered in March 2026

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