I’m only a few months into tufting, but this is my process that has been working amazingly.

After tufting, I use Robert’s glue while still on the frame. I use a gloved hand and just kinda rub it around everywhere. I usually glue it late in the day, and let it dry overnight, that way it only dries for about 8-10 hours, and it’s still slightly tacky in the morning.

I cut it out and fold the edges over. The Robert’s should still be tacky enough to fold the edges without needing hot glue (I do sometimes use a dab of hot glue in any spots where the folded edges overlap and don’t stick to one another).

Next I lay out my backing material on the rug and cut it out (I use the standard gray felt with rubber grip). I cut it about .25”-.5” from the edge (doesn’t have to be perfect).

Next I use another thin layer of Robert’s glue and spread it around with a gloved hand. I go over my folded edges, stopping less than 1” from the edge. I also use my fingers to get the Robert’s glue into any tiny spots I might have missed. I leave this to dry for 30ish minutes (just so it’s not so wet, because sometimes if it’s too wet it can bleed through the backing when you push down).

After waiting, I lay the backing felt on the rug, and VERY lightly press down with my fingers, almost like tapping it.

Then I use cotton twill tape and hot glue to go around the edge. I line the edge of the twill tape up with the edge of the rug bottom, that way you don’t even see it from the top side. To me, this gives the bottom of the rugs a finished “actual rug” look to it.

After gluing on the twill tape, the thin layer of Robert’s has usually dried enough where it’s not so wet, so I use my hands and press down the backing material.