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How to get every armor trim in Minecraft?

  • Feb 14
  • 13 min read

Updated: Feb 26

Tired of your diamond armor looking the same as every other player's on the server? Ever wished you could add a personal touch to your hard-earned Netherite gear? With the armor trim system, first introduced in Minecraft 1.20, you finally can. This feature is all about customizing armor with trims, letting you add incredible patterns and colors to transform standard equipment into a unique statement. Players often refer to this as the minecraft armor trim feature, and this guide shows how to get every armor trim in Minecraft without fuss.

How to get every armor trim in Minecraft?

So, what are armor trims exactly? The easiest way to understand them is to think of stencils and paint. To create a trim, you need a special item called a Smithing Template ---this is your stencil, which determines the pattern. Next, you need a material like a Gold Ingot or an Emerald, which acts as the paint for the color. These changes are purely cosmetic; they look amazing but won't alter your armor's stats at all.


Finding these templates is an adventure in itself. They are hidden away in chests across the Overworld, Nether, and End, making exploration far more rewarding. You might stumble upon a Sentry trim while clearing out a Pillager Outpost or discover a Vex trim inside a Woodland Mansion. Each structure now holds a potential key to unlocking a new style for your gear.


This guide details the simple three-step process at the Smithing Table, provides a complete list of where all the templates are located, and reveals the crucial secret to duplicating your rarest patterns. Get ready to give your armor a legendary upgrade.


How to Craft Your First Armor Trim: The 3-Ingredient Recipe


So you've hunted down your first Armor Trim Smithing Template! Now for the fun part: adding that unique pattern to your gear. Don't head to a Crafting Table, though---this special process requires a Smithing Table. The recipe is simple, always using three key ingredients: the template for the pattern, your armor piece, and a mineral for the color.

Using the Smithing Table for trims is incredibly straightforward. The interface has dedicated slots that show you exactly where everything goes.


  1. Template Slot (Far Left): Place your Armor Trim Smithing Template here. This determines the pattern that will be applied.

  2. Armor Slot (Middle): Add the armor piece you want to customize. This can be any helmet, chestplate, leggings, or boots made of Iron, Gold, Diamond, or Netherite.

  3. Material Slot (Right): Insert your coloring ingredient . This can be an ingot (like Gold or Copper) or a crystal (like Emerald or Amethyst Shard) to set the color of the trim.


Once all three items are in place, your new, stylish armor piece will appear in the output slot on the right. Just grab it, and you're done! This process consumes both the template and the mineral. This might leave you wondering what to do when you want to trim a full set of armor but only have one rare template. Fortunately, there's a way around that.


Never Lose a Rare Pattern: The Secret to Duplicating Armor Trims


Finding that perfect trim template, like the rare Spire pattern from an End City, only to have it disappear after one use can be frustrating. Thankfully, Minecraft has a built-in way to prevent this heartbreak. Once you find a single Smithing Template, you can create infinite copies, ensuring you never truly lose a rare pattern. This means finding just one is enough to decorate your entire armor set, your friend's armor, and any future gear you craft.


The secret to duplicating armor trims is a special crafting recipe. It's a bit expensive, costing seven Diamonds, but it's a worthy investment. To copy a template, head to a Crafting Table and combine the Smithing Template you want to copy with seven Diamonds. For the final ingredient, you'll need a specific block that matches the theme of the template's location. For example, the Sentry trim found in Pillager Outposts requires a block of Cobblestone, while the Rib trim from a Nether Fortress requires Netherrack. This recipe yields two of the same template, doubling your stock.


This ability to copy armor trims changes everything. It turns a rare, single-use trophy into a permanent unlock for your world. You can freely experiment with different color combinations or create matching uniforms for your whole server without worrying about grinding for hours to find another template. With the fear of losing your first find gone, you're ready to begin the hunt.


Start Your Collection: Where to Find the 3 Easiest Armor Trims First


With the ability to copy any template you find, your collection can start with just one successful treasure hunt. The Overworld is filled with different armor trims, but some are much easier to secure than others. To get started without a massive journey, focus on three patterns you can find in common structures: the Sentry , the Dune , and the Coast trims. These provide a great foundation and let you practice the system.


For your very first hunt, head to a Pillager Outpost. These tall wooden towers are hard to miss, and the Sentry Armor Trim is guaranteed to be waiting for you. After dealing with the pillagers guarding the structure, climb to the very top of the main tower. You'll find a chest there containing the template, giving you a sharp, imposing pattern for your gear. It's one of the most reliable trims to acquire, making it a perfect starting point for any would-be collector.


Next, finding the Dune Armor Trim inside a Desert Pyramid introduces a fun new mechanic: archaeology. This template isn't in the four chests at the bottom by the trap. Instead, you need to look for blocks of Suspicious Sand , which have a slightly coarser, more pixelated texture than normal sand. To get the item out, you'll need to craft a Brush. Simply use the Brush on a suspicious block and keep holding the use button until the hidden item---the Dune trim---pops out.


Finally, an excellent and relatively common trim can be found while exploring the oceans. The Coast Armor Trim has a good chance of appearing in the chests inside a Shipwreck. Most wrecks have one or two chests, so be sure to check them thoroughly for maps, iron, and of course, this valuable template. Finding this pattern rewards you with a wavy, ocean-inspired design. With these first three templates secured and copied, you're well on your way to mastering the hunt for the rest of the Overworld's hidden patterns.


The Overworld Hunt: A Guide to All Surface & Cave Templates


Now that you've dipped your toes into the world of armor customization with the Sentry , Dune , and Coast trims, you're ready for the main event. The Overworld is hiding numerous unique patterns, each one a testament to your skill in exploration, combat, or even archaeology. Securing these will take you from the deepest caves to the tallest forests, but every template you find brings you closer to a truly one-of-a-kind look.


Your next journey could take you deep into the jungle in search of the Wild Armor Trim. Found within the chests of a Jungle Temple, this pattern is relatively straightforward to acquire. Be mindful of the temple's traps---dispensers hidden behind vines and tripwires in the hallways---as you make your way to the two chests. One is hidden behind a series of levers, while the other is at the end of the trapped corridor.


A different kind of challenge can be found in a Woodland Mansion, the home of the Illagers. These massive, rare structures are dangerous labyrinths filled with Vindicators and Evokers. Hidden within their many rooms, you may find chests containing the Vex Armor Trim. Despite its name, this template is found in chests, not dropped by the flying Vexes summoned by Evokers. Securing this pattern gives your armor a look inspired by the mischievous mob's wings.


While most templates are found in chests, the Tide Armor Trim completely breaks that rule. To get this one, you must conquer an Ocean Monument. After navigating the underwater temple and defeating the three Elder Guardians inside, each one will drop this template---guaranteed. These giant, ghostly fish are tough opponents that inflict Mining Fatigue, but the reward is a beautiful, trident-inspired pattern that can't be found anywhere else.


Another pattern that requires careful navigation is the Eye Armor Trim , located deep within a Stronghold. After you follow Eyes of Ender to one of these underground fortresses, your main goal should be to find the library. Strongholds can have one, two, or even zero libraries, which look like rooms with vaulted ceilings, filled with bookshelves and cobwebs.


The chests here have a chance to contain the Eye Armor Trim, giving your gear a look reminiscent of the very item that led you there. If you're searching online for extra pointers, try phrases like 'eye armor trim minecraft' to surface Stronghold-specific tips.


Finally, just as you used a Brush to find the Dune trim, four more unique patterns require your archaeology skills. Keep an eye out for a new structure called a Trail Ruin , which often appears as a terracotta and gravel tower poking out of the ground in Taiga or Old Growth forests. Digging down will reveal a buried complex filled with both Suspicious Sand and Suspicious Gravel.


Using your Brush on the suspicious gravel blocks here can unearth four different templates: the Wayfinder , Raiser , Shaper , and Host Armor Trims. Each has its own distinct design, and finding all four can take some time and a lot of brushing. These patterns are perfect for players who enjoy the patient work of uncovering lost history.


With these templates secured, you've conquered every pattern the Overworld has to offer. Your collection is nearly complete, but some of the most striking designs are still waiting for you in a realm of fire and danger.


Forging in Fire: How to Find the Nether's Rib and Snout Trims


With your Overworld collection complete, the next step in your quest takes you into the fiery heart of the Nether. This hostile dimension holds only two unique armor trims, but they are some of the most distinctive in the game. Acquiring them will test your navigation and combat skills against some of Minecraft's most dangerous inhabitants.


Your first target is a familiar Nether landmark: the towering, dark brick walls of a Nether Fortress. These sprawling bridges and corridors are home to Blazes and Wither Skeletons, so come prepared for a fight. The Rib Armor Trim is found exclusively within the chests scattered throughout these fortresses. You will often find them tucked away in alcoves or at the ends of long hallways. This one is a fairly common find, so a thorough search of one or two fortresses should secure this bony, ribcage-like design.


While fortresses are an old threat, the Nether's other major structure, the Bastion Remnant, offers a different kind of prize. These huge, crumbling castles made of blackstone are home to the gold-obsessed Piglins and are the only place to find the Snout Armor Trim. This pattern, which resembles a Piglin's snout, can appear in any chest within a Bastion. Finding the structure is one thing, but looting it without drawing the ire of its entire population is the real challenge.


Getting to those chests requires understanding the locals. The crucial trick is wearing at least one piece of gold armor---even just gold boots---to make regular Piglins peaceful towards you. However, this does not work on Piglin Brutes. These tougher, axe-wielding guards are always hostile and tend to protect the most valuable treasure rooms. If you see them, you know you're near good loot, but be ready for a difficult fight. Successfully raiding a Bastion is a true test of a player's cunning, and the Snout trim is the proof.


The Ultimate Challenge: Hunting the Spire, Ward, and Silence Trims


Having conquered the Nether, the final leg of your journey will take you to the two most remote and dangerous places in all of Minecraft: the floating islands of The End and the silent, deep-dark halls of the Ancient Cities. These locations hold the three rarest armor trims in the game, serving as the ultimate test of your exploration, combat, and stealth skills. Acquiring these patterns is a true mark of a master adventurer.


Your journey into the void begins after defeating the Ender Dragon. By tossing an Ender Pearl through one of the small gateway portals that appear, you can teleport to the outer End islands. Here, you'll find the colossal End Cities, towering structures of purpur and end stone guarded by Shulkers. The Spire Armor Trim is found in chests throughout these cities, often at the very top of the towers. Navigating the treacherous vertical climbs while avoiding Shulkers is difficult, but the reward is a geometric pattern reminiscent of the city's own architecture.


While the End is a challenge of navigation, your next destination demands absolute silence. Buried deep underground are Ancient Cities, sprawling structures made of deepslate and sculk. This is the only place to find both the Ward Armor Trim and the Silence Armor Trim. The danger here isn't a typical mob, but the Warden itself. The city is filled with sculk sensors that detect sound and sculk shriekers that will summon the Warden if triggered too many times. You must sneak, avoid jumping, and carefully open chests to loot the city without being heard.


The Ward Armor Trim , with its blocky, guardian-like design, is the more common of the two patterns you'll find here. Finding it is an accomplishment, but the true prize of the Ancient City is the Silence Armor Trim. This is, by a huge margin, the rarest armor trim in Minecraft. While you search the same chests for it, this template has only about a 1.2% chance to appear. Its stark, simple design is a badge of honor, proof that you not only survived the Warden's home but also had the incredible luck to find its most valuable treasure.


A Special Report: How to Find and Farm the Netherite Upgrade


While almost every Smithing Template is for decoration, one stands apart as an essential tool for progression. Previously, you could upgrade diamond gear by simply combining it with a Netherite ingot. That process has changed. Now, you need a third ingredient: the Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template. This item is a required blueprint for forging the most powerful gear in the game.


Your hunt will take you back to the Nether, specifically to the dangerous, Piglin-infested halls of a Bastion Remnant . These templates are found exclusively in the chests within these structures. For your best chance, look for a specific type of Bastion known as a "Treasure Room." You can easily recognize it by the large, central bridge spanning a pool of lava, often with a Magma Cube spawner at the bottom. These treasure rooms are a jackpot: they are guaranteed to have two Netherite Upgrade templates waiting in their chests.


Finding your first Bastion can be tough, but thankfully you don't need to find a new one every time you want to upgrade a piece of armor. Just like cosmetic trims, the Netherite Upgrade can be duplicated. Even better, its recipe is much cheaper. In a Crafting Table, you can combine 7 Diamonds , 1 Netherrack block , and your Netherite Upgrade template to create two of them. This makes it far easier to outfit your entire arsenal in Netherite once you've secured that first priceless template.


The Armorer's Palette: A Guide to All 10 Trim Materials and Colors


Once you've chosen your pattern, the final step is picking the color. This is where you can truly make your armor your own. The material only changes the color of the trim, not the strength or durability of your armor.


Here is every material you can use and the color it will produce on your armor:

  • Iron Ingot → A light, silvery-gray color

  • Copper Ingot → A bright, metallic orange

  • Gold Ingot → The classic, shiny gold

  • Lapis Lazuli → A deep, vibrant blue

  • Emerald → A rich, jewel-toned green

  • Diamond → A bright, cyan-like blue

  • Redstone Dust → A bold, striking red

  • Amethyst Shard → A mystical, deep purple

  • Quartz → A clean, stark white

  • Netherite Ingot → A dark, charcoal gray (looks fantastic on Diamond armor!)


The best part is that you can mix and match these on the same armor set. Want gold-trimmed boots and an emerald-trimmed chestplate? Go for it! One popular and striking combination is using a Netherite Ingot to add that dark trim to Diamond armor, giving it a prestigious look.


The Lookbook: 5 Awesome Armor Trim Combinations to Inspire You


The sheer number of possibilities can feel a bit overwhelming. Here are some awesome combinations to spark your imagination and show you what's possible when customizing armor with trims.


For a look that screams power and prestige, nothing beats the contrast of dark Netherite armor with a bright, precious material. Try applying the sharp Silence Armor Trim using Gold Ingots across a full Netherite set. The result is a striking black-and-gold design that looks like it belongs to a king. Using a Diamond for a bright cyan trim or an Emerald for a rich green also creates an incredibly high-end, impressive effect.


You can also build your armor around a theme that tells a story. Imagine you're an ocean conqueror. A full suit of Diamond armor equipped with the Tide Armor Trim (from Ocean Monuments) and colored with Lapis Lazuli creates a perfect deep-sea warrior aesthetic. This is a fantastic way to make your gear reflect the adventures you've been on.


Continuing with that idea, a Nether-themed set can be just as intimidating. By combining the Rib Armor Trim , found in Nether Fortresses, with Redstone Dust on your armor, you get a fiery red pattern that looks like glowing embers against the dark metal. It's a simple but effective way of showing you've mastered the game's most dangerous dimension.


But who says your whole set has to match? For a truly unique style, don't be afraid to mix different trims and colors. A seasoned adventurer might wear a chestplate with a Vex trim from a Woodland Mansion and boots with a Dune trim from a desert expedition. This "cobbled-together" style suggests each piece was earned on a different journey, making your character feel one-of-a-kind.


Your Armor Trim Questions, Answered


After experimenting with a few designs, you might wonder what happens if you change your mind. You can't remove a trim to make armor blank again. However, you can easily overwrite an existing trim with a new one. Simply take your already-trimmed armor piece back to a Smithing Table and apply a different template or color material. The old pattern will be completely replaced by the new one.


A common concern is the potential experience cost. Thankfully, applying armor trims costs zero XP levels . The only resources you'll use are the single-use Smithing Template (which is why duplicating them is so important!) and one ingot or crystal for the color. This makes armor trimming a fantastic, low-risk way to customize your gear.


You can apply these awesome patterns to your Iron, Gold, Diamond, and Netherite armor sets. Unfortunately, you cannot add trims to Leather or Chainmail armor. The system is designed specifically for the game's core tiers of metal and diamond-based gear, so keep that in mind when planning your perfect look.


Note on newer versions: Some updates may introduce additional patterns, such as Flow. If your world includes it, search 'flow armor trim minecraft' for the latest locations and version-specific details.


Go Forth and Customize: Your Armor Trim Adventure Begins


What was once just a standard set of armor is now a blank canvas. You no longer see a Desert Pyramid or an End City as just another structure; you see them as a source for your next legendary look. You now hold the keys to ultimate Minecraft customization, transforming your gear from functional to phenomenal.


Your path forward is simple. Start with an easy-to-find trim, like the Sentry or Dune , to build your confidence. Just remember the core loop: Find a template on your travels, Duplicate it with diamonds so you never lose your pattern, and Craft it onto your armor at a Smithing Table.


Your armor is no longer just for protection---it's a visual trophy case of your adventures, showing off every perilous journey you've conquered. Each pattern tells a story of where you've been and what you've overcome. What story will yours tell?

 
 
 

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