<p>Knife coating is a widely used technique in the textile industry for enhancing the functional properties of textile substrates through precise coating applications. However, existing large-scale knife coating machines present significant cost and material constraints, making them impractical for research institutions and industries conducting trials for coating development, process optimization, and quality control. This study introduces a novel, cost-effective pilot table-top knife coating machine, designed to overcome these limitations. The machine operates on the knife-over-air principle, ensuring uniform coating with minimal material usage while maintaining high precision. The design includes a robust structure, a feed roller assembly, a coating head assembly, a take-up assembly, and a control unit, ensuring operational efficiency and safety. The novelty of this machine lies in its economic feasibility, adaptability to various coating conditions, and ability to provide continuous and scalable coating trials, distinguishing it from existing alternatives. This study reveals the design, fabrication, operational procedure, and safety features of the developed knife coating machine, demonstrating its potential to serve as an affordable and efficient alternative for research and industrial applications.</p>