Slab pottery template builder

Custom slab pottery templates and 3D printed frames

Slab Studio by DIY Project Depot helps you design handbuilt pottery from flat sheets of clay. Set the finished size, wet slab thickness and clay shrinkage, then preview a cup, vase, tray or butter dish. Choose A4 paper templates, STL files for your own 3D printer, or a printed frame kit made to your configuration.

What can I make?

Build cylindrical mugs, tapered cups, polygon vases, forms made from two joined cones, trays and butter dishes. Available options depend on the shape. Cups can include a handle; selected forms support a foot ring or a wall texture insert.

Paper templates or 3D printed frames?

Paper templates are full-size cutting patterns for clay slabs. The A4 PDF includes assembly guidance, labelled pieces, a print-scale check and glue tabs where a part needs several sheets. Print at 100% or actual size, with “fit to page” turned off.

3D printed frames guide your rolling pin around each slab shape. Select STL files to print the tools yourself, or request a physical kit. Frames stay whole when they fit the build plate; larger frames divide into modules with dovetail joints. The selected cup handle mould uses two shaping pieces and a removable collar.

How is clay shrinkage calculated?

Enter your clay’s measured shrinkage from wet clay to the final firing. Slab Studio enlarges the wet-clay patterns accordingly: wet dimension = finished dimension ÷ (1 − shrinkage percentage ÷ 100). For example, 100 mm after 12% shrinkage requires approximately 113.6 mm before shrinkage. The default 12% is an estimate, not a guarantee for every clay or firing schedule.

Can I add texture to a tapered wall?

Shape-fitted inserts create ribs, raised dots, recessed dots, grids, spirals or horizontal ridges on supported walls. A cone’s texture follows its tapered shape. Inserts belong to the STL or printed-frame option; a paper template does not emboss clay. Matching frame heights account for the insert bed.

Will the frames fit my 3D printer?

Choose a printer preset or enter your build-plate width and depth. The layout considers rotation and the edge margin before splitting frames. A 220 × 220 mm build plate is a starting setting, not a requirement. Physical kits use our Bambu Lab H2S layout.

Which instruction languages are available?

Choose English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, Swedish, Dutch, Portuguese or Danish for the PDF instructions.

How do I order this exact design?

Save the full product code shown in the builder. Choose paper PDF, digital STL + PDF or a physical kit, then prepare an order request with that code. Contact us to confirm the configuration and delivery; we can create a personal Etsy listing. Preparing a request does not place an order or take payment. Physical shipping is extra, and a matching Rim Cone is quoted separately.

Are any projects free?

Selected fixed starter projects are free. Look for the Free badge or visit our free pottery tools and templates. Changing a starter project’s settings may make it a paid custom design.

What is a matching Rim Cone?

A Rim Cone supports the inside of a cup during assembly. Slab Studio shows the calculated wet inner dimensions and a matching tool code. Include that code in your request so we can confirm a suitable cone. You can explore shapes in the Rim Cone builder. You can also explore pottery texture rollers for repeating slab textures, or return to all tool builders.