This study investigates the use of Augmented Reality (AR) in comparison to printed instructions for do-it-yourself (DIY) furniture assembly instructions, since guidance quality strongly influences task outcomes. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of AR tutorials compared to traditional printed manuals, with particular attention to the assembly process, user experience, and well-being. AR has been increasingly proposed as a tool to improve assembly processes by enhancing clarity, usability, and engagement. A pilot experimental study was conducted in which participants assembled a furniture piece using either AR-based tutorials or printed instructions. Data collection included a questionnaire addressing clarity, usability, satisfaction, speed, safety, along with direct observations and assembly time measurements. Results showed that AR provided a generally more positive experience than printed instructions, particularly in terms of confidence and learning retention, although printed manuals produced a minor average assembly time. This article contributes to AR-assisted assembly research by highlighting the learning curve associated with AR tutorials and explaining how prior familiarity with printed guides can affect performance. These findings suggest that AR has strong potential to enhance assembly by improving user confidence and retention, but further refinement is needed to reduce variability and ensure clarity in instructions.