Cutting carbon fiber, canvas. Will it ruin the pattern?

I'm looking into getting some carbon fiber, and hard canvas to make scales out of but I'm not sure what it will look like after I cut into it. Does the pattern go all the way through the material, or will it look different below the surface so when I shape it, the pattern will only be on the part I don't cut or sand? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The pattern goes all the way through it, you can cut it down as much as you want.

Carbon fiber is woven fabric much like Micarta. As you sand it down, you just hit more layers.