During the many centuries during which tablet weaving has been practiced, back at least to the 9th century BC, ever-inventive weavers have developed a multitude of complex techniques. Clear and consistent methods of describing the structural attributes of tablet-woven bands enable the historian and reenactor to communicate clearly. Relating structural attributes to potential methods of production allows both the accurate reproduction of historical bands and the recognition of subtle features that aid in determining which of many possible techniques of production may have been used.
A consistent classification has been developed for each aspect of the process of tablet weaving, and its applicability to description of common tablet-woven structures from extant bands demonstrated.
As with many textile techniques that rely only on simple equipment, multiple methods of working can produce identical results. Often errors or minor structural differences can help to distinguish among these methods when the relationship between structure and production is clearly understood.