Makie technique is distinguished from other lacquerware decorating techniques including: hyomon (also referred as heidatsu) technique, whereby a thin metal sheet is placed on the surface; the chinkin technique, whereby the lacquerware surface is carved and gold and silver is inlayed in the depression; and the 'raden' technique, whereby green turban shell, abalone or other type of shell is cut out into decorative pieces, and glued or inlayed into the lacquered material.
金属の薄板を定着させる平文（ひょうもん）（または平脱/へいだつ）や漆器表面に溝を彫って金銀を埋め込む沈金、夜光貝、アワビ貝などを文様の形に切り透かしたものを貼ったり埋め込んだりする「螺鈿」（らでん）とは区別される。