How to Customize Your Gear Using Every Armor Trim in Minecraft

Minecraft players spent years asking for ways to distinguish their gear from one another, and the armor trim system introduced in version 1.20—and expanded in 1.21—is the definitive answer. This system moves away from functional upgrades and leans entirely into player expression. Using a Smithing Table, you can overlay intricate patterns on any set of armor, from iron and gold to diamond and the elusive netherite.

To use armor trims in Minecraft, you must place a Smithing Template, a piece of armor, and a coloring material into a Smithing Table. The process consumes the template and the material, resulting in a visually unique piece of gear that maintains all its original enchantments and durability stats. While the mechanic sounds simple, the logistical challenge of finding these rare templates and the high cost of duplicating them makes armor trimming one of the most prestigious late-game activities in the sandbox.

Understanding the Core Components of Armor Trimming

Before heading to the crafting bench, you need three distinct items. Each item serves a specific role in determining the final aesthetic of your character.

The Foundation: Eligible Armor Pieces

Every piece of wearable armor—helmets, chestplates, leggings, and boots—can be trimmed. This includes:

Leather: Unique because it can already be dyed, but adding trims provides a layered, textured look.
Iron: Provides a neutral silver base that contrasts well with warm colors like gold or redstone.
Gold: A bright, yellow base often used for "royal" aesthetics.
Chainmail: The gaps in the mail make trims look slightly more fragmented, which some players prefer for a rugged style.
Diamond: The most common late-game base, looking excellent with amethyst or quartz.
Netherite: The ultimate status symbol. Trimming netherite is unique because you cannot use a netherite ingot as a trim color on netherite armor—the game requires visual contrast.

The Pattern: Smithing Templates

Smithing Templates are the rarest part of the equation. These are non-craftable items found as loot in generated structures. There are currently 18 different armor trim patterns, ranging from the common Sentry trim found in Pillager Outposts to the ultra-rare Silence trim hidden in Ancient Cities. Each template features a specific design: some add thin, elegant lines, while others cover the armor in thick, bold plates of color.

The Color: Infusion Materials

The material you choose determines the color of the pattern. You can use almost any ingot or crystal found in the game. The current palette includes:

Iron: Silver
Copper: Orange (Note: In recent snapshots, copper trims do not oxidize on the armor; they stay bright orange).
Gold: Yellow
Lapis Lazuli: Dark Blue
Emerald: Green
Diamond: Light Blue/Cyan
Netherite: Black/Slate
Redstone: Red
Amethyst: Purple
Quartz: White
Resin Brick: Burnt Orange (Added in the 1.21.2 Pale Garden updates)

The Smithing Table Interface and Process

The Smithing Table was redesigned specifically to accommodate this feature. Unlike the Crafting Table’s 3x3 grid, the Smithing Table has three specific slots that must be filled in order.

The Template Slot (Left): Place your Smithing Template here. The UI will show a ghostly icon of a template to guide you. Once placed, the other two slots will unlock.
The Equipment Slot (Middle): Place the piece of armor you wish to decorate. You will see a preview of the armor on a miniature stand to the right of the interface.
The Ingredient Slot (Right): Place your chosen coloring material (e.g., a Diamond or an Amethyst Shard).

As soon as all three items are present, the output slot will show your newly decorated armor. It is important to note that this process does not cost experience levels (XP), unlike anvil repairs or enchanting. However, the template is consumed instantly. If you want to trim a full set of armor (helmet, chest, legs, and boots) with the same pattern, you will need four identical templates.

Where to Find Every Armor Trim Template

Exploring the world is the only way to build a collection of trims. Some are guaranteed drops, while others require hundreds of hours of looting. Below is the breakdown of where these items reside across the three dimensions.

Overworld Structures

The Overworld contains the majority of trim patterns, often hidden in the most dangerous biomes.

Sentry Armor Trim: Found in Pillager Outposts. It is one of the easiest to acquire early on, offering a simple, clean aesthetic.
Dune Armor Trim: Located in Desert Pyramids. You’ll find these in the four chests at the bottom of the TNT trap pit.
Coast Armor Trim: Found in Shipwrecks. Since shipwrecks are common, this is often a player’s first trim.
Wild Armor Trim: Found in Jungle Temples. These are hidden behind the arrow traps and the lever puzzles.
Tide Armor Trim: This is the only trim obtained through combat rather than looting chests. You must defeat an Elder Guardian in an Ocean Monument. It has a 20% drop rate, making it a challenging but farmable pattern.
Wayfinder, Raiser, Shaper, and Host Trims: These four are unique to Trail Ruins. You won't find them in chests; instead, you must use a Brush on Suspicious Gravel blocks. This makes them significantly harder to obtain than basic chest loot.
Vex Armor Trim: Found in Woodland Mansions. Given how rare mansions are, this trim is a significant trophy.
Ward and Silence Armor Trims: Found in Ancient Cities. While the Ward trim is relatively common in these deep-dark chests, the Silence Trim is the rarest in the game with a 1.2% spawn rate. Wearing a full set of Silence-trimmed armor is the ultimate sign of a seasoned explorer.
Bolt and Flow Armor Trims: Added in the 1.21 update, these are found in Trial Chambers. The Bolt trim is found in standard Vaults, while the Flow trim is exclusively dropped from Ominous Vaults, requiring the player to defeat Ominous Trials.

The Nether Dimension

The Nether offers patterns that reflect its harsh, fiery environment.

Rib Armor Trim: Found in Nether Fortresses. Its skeletal design is a favorite for players wanting a "dark knight" look.
Snout Armor Trim: Found in Bastion Remnants. It features a piglin-inspired nose shape on the helmet.
Netherite Upgrade Template: While not a decorative trim, this template is found in Bastions and is required to turn Diamond armor into Netherite. This was a massive change in the 1.20 update, making Netherite much harder to obtain.

The End Dimension

Spire Armor Trim: Found in End Cities. This pattern adds vertical, sharp lines to the gear, matching the architecture of the Purpur towers.

The Economy of Duplication: Saving Your Diamonds

Because templates are consumed upon use, and some are incredibly rare (like the Silence or Tide trims), you should never use your last template. Minecraft allows you to clone templates using a specific crafting table recipe.

To duplicate a Smithing Template, you need:

7 Diamonds: This makes duplication an expensive endeavor.
1 Existing Template: The one you want to copy.
1 Specific Block: This block acts as the "base material" for the template.

The block required depends on the trim:

Sentry/Wayfinder/Bolt: Cobblestone
Dune: Sandstone
Coast: Columnar blocks or Cobblestone (depending on the specific version)
Wild: Mossy Cobblestone
Tide: Prismarine
Ward/Silence: Cobbled Deepslate
Rib: Netherrack
Snout: Blackstone
Eye: End Stone
Spire: Purpur Block
Netherite Upgrade: Netherrack

By placing the template in the top-middle slot, the specific block in the center, and surrounding them with 7 diamonds, you receive two templates back. This is the only sustainable way to gear up a whole team on a multiplayer server.

Aesthetic Strategy: How to Style Your Armor

In our testing of different combinations, we’ve found that the "best" look often comes from high-contrast pairings. Applying a Diamond trim to Diamond armor results in a subtle, embossed effect that is barely visible from a distance. If you want your patterns to pop, consider these professional styling tips:

The High-Contrast Rule

If you are wearing dark armor like Netherite, use bright materials like Quartz, Amethyst, or Gold. The white and purple lines stand out sharply against the dark gray plating. Conversely, if you are wearing Iron or White-dyed Leather, use Lapis Lazuli or Redstone to create a striking outline.

The "Commander" Look

Many players choose to keep three pieces of armor the same (e.g., Coast trim in Iron) but change the helmet to a more aggressive pattern like the Snout or Eye trim in Gold. This creates a visual hierarchy, making the helmet look like a crown or a specialized piece of tactical gear.

The Material Property: Copper and Resin

Copper is a unique choice. In the world, copper blocks oxidize and turn green. However, copper trims on armor are "fixed" in their orange state. If you want a green look, you must use Emeralds. Additionally, the new Resin Brick adds a unique textured red-orange that looks significantly different from the "glowing" effect of Redstone.

The Netherite Upgrade Requirement

It is a common mistake for returning players to think they can just combine a Netherite Ingot with Diamond armor in a Smithing Table. Since version 1.20, you must have a Netherite Upgrade Template. These are found in Bastion Remnants. One template is guaranteed in the "Treasure Room" variant of the Bastion, usually guarded by multiple Piglin Brutes.

Advanced Tips for Finding Rare Trims

Acquiring the Silence or Flow trims requires more than luck; it requires a strategy.

Ancient City Sweeps: For the Silence trim, don't just loot one city. You will likely need to find three or four. Use wool to dampen your footsteps and carry a few stacks of snowballs to distract the Warden. The Silence trim is almost always in the chests furthest from the central "portal" structure.
Ocean Monument Farming: To get the Tide trim, you don't need to drain the monument. Use Invisibility potions (without armor) to swim in, kill the three Elder Guardians, and leave. Since the drop rate is 20%, you have a fair chance of getting it within one or two monuments.
Trail Ruins Excavation: Most players miss the trims in Trail Ruins because they only look for chests. Remember: Trail Ruins are mostly buried. You must dig out the dirt and gravel and look for the specific Suspicious Gravel texture. Use a brush carefully—if you break the block with a shovel, the template is lost forever.

Summary of Using Armor Trims

Using armor trims transforms the Minecraft experience from a race for stats into a journey of self-expression. By mastering the Smithing Table, understanding the rarity of templates, and budgeting your diamonds for duplication, you can create a signature look that defines your character on any server. Whether you are rocking a full set of Silence-trimmed Netherite or a simple Sentry-trimmed Iron set, the system adds a layer of depth to exploration that makes every chest in the game worth opening.

FAQ

Can I remove a trim from my armor? No, currently you cannot remove a trim once it has been applied. You can, however, apply a new trim over an existing one. The new template and material will replace the old design, but the old materials will be lost.

Do armor trims provide any protection or speed boosts? No. Armor trims are 100% cosmetic. A Diamond chestplate with a Netherite trim has the exact same armor points and toughness as a plain Diamond chestplate.

Can I trim Horse Armor? As of the current version, armor trims can only be applied to player armor (Helmets, Chestplates, Leggings, and Boots). Horse armor cannot be customized using the Smithing Table.

Can other players see my trims in multiplayer? Yes, armor trims are visible to all players. They are rendered as part of the armor's texture. Ensure your server is updated to at least version 1.20 so the textures display correctly.

What is the best material for a "stealth" look? Netherite armor with a Netherite trim is the most subtle, but for true stealth in dark environments like caves, many players use Leather armor dyed black with a dark gray Netherite or Lapis trim.