Router Template Guides
Bow Tie Inlay Guides
Learn how to use bow tie router templates, choose the right wood inlays, avoid common mistakes, and add clean butterfly-style details to slabs, tables, charcuterie boards, serving boards, and custom woodworking projects.
This guide hub brings together our most helpful bow tie inlay resources, including template setup, router bit recommendations, live edge slab tips, wood species comparisons, and beginner-friendly advice for using laser cut bow tie inlays.
Bow Tie Inlay Learning Hub
Bow tie inlays, also called butterfly inlays or butterfly keys, are used to add detail, contrast, and craftsmanship to woodworking projects. They are commonly used on live edge slabs, tabletops, charcuterie boards, benches, desks, and epoxy projects.
Start with the guide that best matches your project. If you are new to bow ties, we recommend starting with the Bow Tie Inlay Template Guide, then moving on to the step-by-step router guide.
Browse Bow Tie Inlay Guides
Bow Tie Inlay Template Guide
Learn how bow tie inlay templates work, what router bits to use, and how acrylic templates help create cleaner butterfly-style inlays.
Read the Template Guide →How to Make Bow Tie Inlays with a Router
Follow the basic process for routing a bow tie pocket, choosing router bits, securing the template, and installing the wood inlay.
Read the Router Guide →Bow Tie Inlays for Live Edge Slabs
Learn when and where to use bow ties on live edge slabs, including placement, design balance, cracks, checks, and slab projects.
Read the Slab Guide →Best Wood for Bow Tie Inlays
Compare walnut, curly maple, padauk, matching woods, contrasting woods, and beginner-friendly laser cut inlay options.
Read the Wood Guide →Common Bow Tie Inlay Mistakes
Avoid gaps, template movement, tearout, poor placement, wrong router bits, sanding issues, and other common bow tie inlay problems.
Read the Mistakes Guide →Where Should You Start?
If you are new to bow tie inlays, start with the Bow Tie Inlay Template Guide. That page explains the basics, including what the template does, how the process works, and what supplies are needed.
After that, read How to Make Bow Tie Inlays with a Router for a more step-by-step explanation of routing the inlay pocket and installing the wood inlay.
Shop Bow Tie Inlay Supplies
These are the main products we recommend for cleaner, more consistent bow tie inlays.
What Are Bow Tie Inlays Used For?
Bow tie inlays are used in woodworking to add a decorative shape across cracks, checks, knots, seams, and natural openings in wood. They are often used on live edge slabs, tables, desks, benches, charcuterie boards, serving boards, and epoxy woodworking projects.
They are also known as butterfly inlays, butterfly keys, bow tie keys, bow tie joints, or wood stitches. A clear acrylic bow tie router template helps make the process more repeatable by guiding the router as you create the inlay pocket.
Bow Tie Inlay Guides FAQ
What is the best bow tie inlay guide to start with?
Start with the Bow Tie Inlay Template Guide if you are new to the process. It explains what the template does, how bow tie inlays work, and what supplies you need.
Are bow tie inlays and butterfly inlays the same thing?
Yes. Bow tie inlays and butterfly inlays are two common names for the same style of woodworking inlay. They may also be called butterfly keys, bow tie keys, or wood stitches.
Do beginners need to make their own bow tie inlays?
No. If you are new to bow tie inlays, pre-cut laser bow tie inlays are usually the easier option. They let you focus on routing the pocket and installing the inlay cleanly.
What supplies do I need for bow tie inlays?
The main supplies are a bow tie router template, template tape, router bits, wood inlays, glue, sanding supplies, and a wood finish.
Start Building Cleaner Bow Tie Inlays
Use these guides to plan your bow tie inlay project, choose the right supplies, avoid common mistakes, and get cleaner results on slabs, tables, boards, and custom woodworking projects.
