Before machines, woven carpets were made by hand. Rug Selection and Use . The three most common woven carpet types include velvet, Wilton and Axminster. A less common woven carpet style is chenille. All still are made and, if made using good quality materials, are extremely durable.
Technology enables needlepunched carpet to be printed, flocked and embossed.
Different textural effects, such as corduroy, can be attained by mixing fiber deniers and angling the needle in various ways. A coating of weather-resistant latex or similar material is applied to the back. Originally this process was used to construct hair carpet pads which, although still made, are seldom found in stores. Knit and flocked carpets represent a very small percentage of the total carpet production in the United States. Knit carpet is made by a process similar to hand knitting.