Minecraft armor trims and smithing templates are a new feature coming to Minecraft in the 1.20 update later this year. A Minecraft armor update is something fans have been after for years. Not only is armour customisation finally here, but it’s also challenging and adds a new use to the existing smithing table.
Minecraft is one of the best PC games of all time, thanks, in part, to its regular content updates. In order to play with the new Minecraft armor trims in Java Edition, as well as any other upcoming new features, you need to turn on the experimental features data pack in the latest Minecraft snapshot. Once you’ve done that, you’ll notice a difference to the smithing table interface. Previously used for turning Minecraft diamond into Netherite, which is still one of its uses, the smithing table now has additional slots. These slots can only be used when a template, item, and precious resource are all placed within it.
Minecraft armor update
The Minecraft armor update adds patterns to your armour, a feature that has no real use other than looking super cool. You could always use it to tell apart your different armour sets if you have some with alternative Minecraft enchantments equipped, or to differentiate your own on a multiplayer server, though.
The trims are made from precious materials such as Minecraft copper, amethyst, or lapis lazuli, and the colour of the trim matches that of the resource used. The only thing you can’t do at the moment is add, say, a diamond trim to diamond armour, but a recent developer tweet suggests this could be added before the full rollout.
All Minecraft armor trim resources:
- Amethyst – purple
- Copper – copper
- Diamond – cyan
- Emerald – green
- Gold – gold
- Iron – silver
- Lapis Lazuli – blue
- Netherite – slate
- Redstone – red
- Quartz – white
How to add Minecraft armor trims using a smithing table
To customise your armour, place a smithing table and click the use button on it to open the smithing interface:
- Place a smithing template in the first slot.
- Put your selected piece of armour into the second box.
- Insert an ingot or crystal into the third item slot.
You will then be able to remove your new piece of decorated armour, and all three original items will be consumed.
How to upgrade diamond to Netherite
As mentioned above, the way in which you upgrade your diamond armour and tools to Minecraft Netherite has now changed – and it’s more difficult. So, if you’ve got survival worlds you plan on taking into the 1.20 update, we’d recommend trying to get that gear upgraded immediately.
The process is pretty much the same as before, aside from the fact that you now need the Netherite upgrade smithing template as well as your item and a Netherite Ingot. If finding enough Ancient Debris for a Netherite Ingot didn’t already take enough work, there’s another incredibly rare resource required. You also need a separate template for every item upgraded, as it will be consumed upon use. Ugh, right? Luckily, as we explain further down, you can duplicate the smithing template, but it’s still going to be a long and expensive process to upgrade to Netherite.
Where to find smithing templates
Smithing templates cannot be crafted, and can only be found in specific locations around the world which relate to their specific design. Since they are pretty rare, you’ll be pleased to hear that you can duplicate smithing templates – but of course it’s not cheap. Before you use the smithing template, you can combine it in a crafting table with seven diamonds and its base material as per the image above.
Every Minecraft smithing template location and base material:
| Template | Location | Base material |
| Coast | Shipwreck | Cobblestone |
| Dune | Desert Pyramid | Sandstone |
| Eye | Stronghold | End Stone |
| Rib | Nether Fortress | Netherrack |
| Sentry | Pillager Outpost | Cobblestone |
| Snout | Bastion Remnant | Blackstone |
| Spire | End City | Purpur block |
| Tide | Ocean Monument (Elder Guardian drop) | Prismarine block |
| Vex | Woodland Mansion | Cobblestone |
| Ward | Ancient City | Cobbled Deepslate |
| Wild | Jungle Pyramid | Mossy Cobblestone |
| Netherite upgrade | Bastion Remnant (guaranteed in treasure rooms) | Netherrack |
Mojang Studios is asking players to test this new update out and give them feedback on how easy it is to locate these smithing templates in survival mode. So, switch on experimental features, dive into a new survival world – perhaps using one of our favourite Minecraft seeds, and get hunting. You’ll be showing off your armour drip in no time, so make sure you have the Minecraft armor stand recipe to hand, and you’ll be ready to shine when the Minecraft 1.20 release date rolls around.
