How to Use Armor Trims in Minecraft (1.20+)

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Apply armor trims at a smithing table: smithing template + armor piece + material. There are 18 trim patterns and 11 material colors - and every template duplicates with 7 diamonds plus its block.

What you need

Armor trim smithing template x1
Armor piece (any tier, incl. turtle shell)
Trim material x1 (ingot, crystal, dust or resin brick)
Smithing table

Step by step

Find a smithing template: 18 armor trim patterns hide across structures - sentry in pillager outposts, tide from elder guardians (20% drop), ward in ancient cities, flow and bolt in trial chambers, and more.
Duplicate before you use: craft the template with 7 diamonds and its matching block (terracotta, cobblestone, netherrack and others depending on the trim) to get 2 - never spend your only copy.
Open a smithing table: the three slots are template, armor piece, material.
Add the armor: any helmet, chestplate, leggings or boots work - leather, chainmail, iron, gold, diamond, netherite, and even the turtle shell.
Pick the material: 11 options color the pattern - iron, copper, gold, lapis, emerald, diamond, netherite, redstone, amethyst, quartz and resin brick (1.21.4).
Take the trimmed armor: it keeps all enchantments and durability - trims are purely cosmetic and never change protection.
Mix and match: every piece of a set can use a different trim and material - 18 patterns x 11 colors means thousands of combos per outfit.
Show it off: trimmed armor also displays on armor stands, so your base can double as a fashion museum.

Java vs Bedrock

Trims, materials and duplication work the same in Java and Bedrock. Resin brick as a trim material arrived in 1.21.4 on both editions.

Versions: Armor trims launched in 1.20 (Trails & Tales, first shown in 1.19.4's 23w04a experimental snapshots). Flow and bolt trims came in 1.21 with trial chambers; resin brick material in 1.21.4.

Frequently asked questions

How do you duplicate armor trims in Minecraft?

Put the smithing template in the crafting grid with 7 diamonds and its associated block - for example cobblestone for sentry, terracotta for dune, netherrack for rib. You get 2 templates back, so one find becomes infinite.

Do armor trims make armor stronger?

No - trims are 100% cosmetic. They change the look of the armor piece only; protection, enchantments and durability are untouched. The only exception in spirit: netherite trimming gold armor looks fancy but does nothing.

How many armor trims are there in Minecraft?

Eighteen patterns: the original sixteen (sentry, dune, coast, wild, ward, eye, vex, tide, snout, rib, spire, wayfinder, shaper, host, raiser, silence) plus flow and bolt from trial chambers in 1.21. Each can use 11 material colors.