How to Make Reusable Templates for Transferring Drawings to Pots Chelsea Phelps

Every year, we host a large pottery preorder featuring our popular “Animal” mugs—mostly inspired by Rocky Mountain wildlife, plus a few custom pet designs. In the beginning, I struggled with repeatedly printing new line-drawing templates, only to have them wear out or rip after a few tracings, often digging into the clay body and creating inconsistent results.

To solve this, I started using Procreate (procreate.com) to draw my designs digitally. After printing and scaling them to fit my pots, I apply a layer of clear packaging tape over the images on the printed side only (1). This preserves the template’s structure, allowing each to last for over 50 uses. It’s a simple but effective trick to save time and materials. I use a blunt stylus to trace the taped design onto the leather-hard clay (2). Holding the image down with one hand, I carefully lift the edges to ensure all the lines have transferred. This method leaves a faint imprint—perfect for further detailing (3). Depending on the design, I apply colored slips or underglazes after tracing. After applying slip, I use a tungsten carbide etching tool to carve into the clay, following the outline and adding freehand details for depth and character (4).

This technique of reinforcing templates with tape not only saves time but also ensures that each mug is consistent while allowing room for artistic variation. Whether you’re working on small runs or large batches, this method helps you preserve both the quality and durability of your designs, even after repeated use.