Velvet and cut pile carpets are usually achieved by cutting the loops of either woven or tufted products during manufacturing. The amount of texture found in the carpet normally depends on the amount of twist in the yarn. If the yarn is fine and has lower twist the result is the smooth classic look of velvet. If the yarn has a higher twist the look is more of a frieze. And if the yarn is a bit bulkier with lower twist the result is a Saxony texture.

Cut pile carpets are ideal for tailored to formal environments and are a good base for layering-on area rugs. An inherent characteristic of cut pile and velvet finish carpets is shading and tracking. Like a fine velvet fabric these surfaces will show light and dark areas during use For example imagine running your hand in different directions on a velvet fabric and the resulting shades of color. Higher twist yarns, hence frieze finish carpets, tend not to show shading or tracking due to the tight twist set in each tuft that produces a surface without an obvious pile direction.