Paper templates, Intermediate level

Thirty-three Intermediate slab pottery templates

This is where parts start having to fit each other: a lid that drops onto its flange, a salad plate that settles into the dinner plate. One to three sheets each, and an hour to three at the table.

New: some of these haven’t been built yet

You can download any of them with confidence. So far every template built and every template in progress has come out 100 percent perfect, and the same will likely be true for the rest.

Every template starts out in my New Pattern Program, marked NEW, until someone builds it in clay and it checks out. Each one should be sound and work as drawn, so use them at your own discretion and be ready to adjust on the fly if a project needs it. Pivoting mid-build is part of the fun of pottery.

Members: be the first to show me one fully assembled and I’ll fire that piece free, with your name on its tile for good. See which templates are still up for grabs.

Made one? Text it to the studio or tag @theclayhole on Instagram.

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Grows as I add more

All Intermediate Bundle

Lids, facets, cones and curves: this is where slab work starts getting interesting. Every Intermediate template is in here, and every new one joins it free the day it goes live. Kiln furniture has its own bundle.

Thirty-three templates today, and every Intermediate one I add later.

$203$290saves $87

See what’s in it
Intermediate

Every Intermediate template

Every size is a fired size, at 12 percent shrinkage, and every one has a free sample to flip through before you buy.

Cards per row
A six-sided white stoneware bud vase with mitered corners holding dried grass, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 03 The Hexagon Bud Vase Six tapered panels and a hexagon base, with mitered corners.
  • Intermediate
  • 90 minutes
  • 1 sheet, 5 pages
5 3/4 in tall, 2 7/16 in across the base
A deep blue stoneware wall pocket vase hanging on a wall with eucalyptus, made from The Clay Hole wall pocket paper template Paper template 04 The Wall Pocket A half-cone hanging vase with a flat back and a hanging hole.
  • Intermediate
  • an hour
  • 2 sheets, 6 pages
6 13/16 in tall with the hanger, 3 15/16 in wide
A small blush pink stoneware keepsake box beside a coffee mug and a book, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 05 The Lidded Keepsake Box A square box with a flat lid that locates on an inner flange.
  • Intermediate
  • 90 minutes
  • 1 sheet, 5 pages
3 1/2 in square, 2 5/8 in tall with the lid,
A sage green stoneware butter dish with the lid lifted to show the butter, made from The Clay Hole butter dish paper template Paper template 06 The Butter Dish A lidded dish sized to a real stick of butter, East Coast or West Coast.
  • Intermediate
  • 90 minutes
  • 2 sheets, 6 pages
lid 5 1/4 in x 2 3/16 in inside, tray 6 3/8 in x 3 5/16 in
A small stoneware tealight house with a blue roof, glowing from a candle inside, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 09 The Tealight House A little gabled house that sits over a tealight and glows through its windows.
  • Intermediate
  • two hours
  • 1 sheet, 5 pages
3 1/16 in wide, 4 5/8 in to the peak
A teal stoneware pan flute of eight pipes lying on a wooden table beside a white mug, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 25 The Pan Flute Eight clay pipes in one row, tuned to a C major scale from low C to high C, finished with beeswax so it plays in tune.
  • Intermediate
  • 2 hours, and half an hour of tuning
  • 4 sheets, 9 pages
eight pipes from low C to high C, 8 3/8 in across and 6 11/16 in tall
A cream stoneware pour-over coffee dripper with a paper filter, set on a charcoal mug, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 31 The Pour-Over Coffee Dripper A 60 degree cone dripper for size 02 paper filters, with ribs inside and a plate that sits on the mug.
  • Intermediate
  • 90 minutes
  • 3 sheets, 8 pages
4 5/8 in across the rim, 3 in tall, a 4 1/4 in plate
A small amber stoneware beehive honey pot with a dipper beside a coffee mug and toast, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 32 The Beehive Honey Pot A honey pot shaped like a straw skep, with coil ridges and a notched lid for the dipper.
  • Intermediate
  • two hours
  • 2 sheets, 6 pages
holds about 8 oz, 4 5/16 in tall, 3 3/4 in across
A deep green stoneware taper chamberstick with a finger loop holding a lit candle, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 33 The Taper Chamberstick A low carrying candle holder with a drip dish, a finger loop and a cup that fits a standard taper.
  • Intermediate
  • an hour
  • 1 sheet, 5 pages
dish 5 1/4 in across, cup 1 1/8 in tall for a standard 7/8 in taper
A pair of green stoneware ramp bookends holding a row of linen books on a shelf, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 34 The Hollow Bookends A pair of hollow ramp-shaped bookends, filled with sand after firing.
  • Intermediate
  • two hours at the table for the pair, plus drying
  • 2 sheets, 7 pages
Requires extra hardware purchase5 15/16 in tall, 3 15/16 in deep, 3 3/4 in wide, about 3 lb each filled with sand,
A cobalt blue stoneware berry colander full of raspberries and blueberries on its saucer, from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 35 The Berry Colander and Saucer A footed berry colander with every drain hole printed on the pattern, and a saucer for the drips.
  • Intermediate
  • two hours
  • 3 sheets, 7 pages
colander 5 1/2 in across and 3 5/16 in tall on its foot, saucer 6 3/16 in across
A tapered blue-gray stoneware soap pump bottle with a cork collar beside a sink, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 36 The Soap Pump Bottle A tapered soap bottle from one fan-shaped wall, with a hole sized for a cork pump.
  • Intermediate
  • 90 minutes
  • 2 sheets, 7 pages
Requires extra hardware purchaseholds about 12 oz, 5 5/8 in tall, 3 in across the base
Faceted salad plate, a twelve-sided teal well and speckled cream rim on an oak table, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 49 The Salad Plate A 7 7/8 inch salad plate with a faceted well that nests inside the dinner plate.
  • Intermediate
  • 2 hours over two sittings, plus two weeks of drying
  • 2 sheets, 8 pages
7 7/8 in across, 15/16 in tall
Faceted stoneware tumbler of water, teal facets below a speckled cream lip, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 50 The Dinnerware Tumbler A 13 1/2 ounce tumbler, twelve facets below and a round drinking lip above.
  • Intermediate
  • 2 hours, plus drying
  • 2 sheets, 7 pages
about 13 1/2 oz, 4 15/16 in tall, 3 1/2 in across
Faceted stoneware mug of coffee, teal facets and handle below a speckled cream lip, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 51 The Dinnerware Mug An 11 1/2 ounce mug, twelve facets below, a round lip above and a creased strip handle.
  • Intermediate
  • 2 1/2 hours over two sittings, plus drying
  • 2 sheets, 8 pages
about 11 1/2 oz, 3 15/16 in tall, 3 9/16 in across
Faceted stoneware bowl, teal facets below a wide speckled cream lip, on an oak table, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 52 The Dinnerware Bowl A 23 ounce bowl, twelve facets below and a wide flared round lip above.
  • Intermediate
  • 2 1/2 hours over two sittings, plus drying
  • 3 sheets, 9 pages
about 23 oz, 2 9/16 in tall, 7 in across
Faceted soup bowl of squash soup, a teal handle and speckled cream lip, by a spoon, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 58 The Dinnerware Soup Bowl A 28 ounce soup bowl with one creased handle, twelve facets below and a round lip above.
  • Intermediate
  • 3 hours over two sittings, plus drying
  • 3 sheets, 9 pages
about 28 oz, 3 1/8 in tall, 6 5/16 in across
Two speckled stoneware yarn bowls with teal insides and yarn fed through J slots, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 69 The Yarn Bowls, Small and Large A flared slab yarn bowl in two sizes, with a crisp peak, a J slot and a needle hole.
  • Intermediate
  • two hours
  • 4 sheets, 9 pages
small 5 1/2 in across and 3 1/4 in tall, large 7 in across and 4 in tall
A celadon green stoneware serving tray with slotted handles, crackers and cheese, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 71 The Twin Handle Serving Tray A flared rectangular serving tray folded from one slab, with a handle slot in each raised end.
  • Intermediate
  • 90 minutes
  • 1 sheet, 6 pages
10 5/8 x 7 1/8 in at the rim, 12 3/16 in over the handles, 1 in tall
A cobalt blue wrapped stoneware oval baker of potato gratin and a matching salad bowl, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 72 The Wrapped Bowl and Oval Baker A bowl and an oval baker whose walls wrap past their own start.
  • Intermediate
  • two hours
  • 11 sheets, 16 pages
bowl 8 1/4 in across and 3 in tall, baker 10 1/2 in x 7 1/2 in and 2 1/2 in tall
A sea glass aqua stoneware wave rim bowl holding lemons and limes on a pale oak table, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 76 The Wave Rim Bowl A flared slab bowl whose rim rises and falls in three smooth waves.
  • Intermediate
  • 90 minutes
  • 1 sheet, 5 pages
about 26 oz, 2 1/2 in to 3 1/4 in tall, 7 1/2 in across
A slate gray stoneware coffee canister with a mountain ridgeline and a peak handle, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 77 The Ridgeline Canister A lidded coffee canister with a mountain skyline pressed round its wall and a mountain peak for a knob.
  • Intermediate
  • 2 1/2 hours
  • 3 sheets, 8 pages
holds a pound of whole coffee beans, 5 1/2 in across, 5 15/16 in tall with the lid
A round cobalt blue stoneware chip and dip platter with hummus, crackers and almonds, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 79 The Pinwheel Platter A round chip and dip platter with three curved dividers that swirl from a center dip bowl like a pinwheel.
  • Intermediate
  • 3 hours at the table, plus a slow dry
  • 3 sheets, 9 pages
9 1/2 in across, 1 1/2 in tall to the dip bowl's rim
An indigo blue faceted stoneware coffee mug with a square strap handle on linen, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 82 The Diamond Mug A six-sided faceted mug that turns round at the rim, with a flat strap handle.
  • Intermediate
  • 2 1/2 hours
  • 1 sheet, 7 pages
about 12 oz with room at the top, 4 1/4 in tall, 3 1/4 in across the rim
A moss green stoneware obelisk vase with pressed fern prints beside a mug and a book, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 86 The Pressed Leaf Obelisk Vase A tall square tapered vase with real leaves pressed into all four walls.
  • Intermediate
  • 2 hours
  • 2 sheets, 7 pages
about 25 oz to the brim, 8 1/2 in tall, 3 3/4 in square at the base
Teal stoneware coffee pod station with twelve pods, packets, creamers and stirrers, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 102 The K-Cup Coffee Station Twelve K-Cup pods on three steps, lids up, with a caddy for packets, creamer cups and stirrers built on.
  • Intermediate
  • 3 hours over two sittings, plus a slow dry
  • 9 sheets, 14 pages
holds 12 pods, 12 1/2 in long and 5 5/16 in tall
Cobalt blue stoneware silverware caddy with flatware beside dinner plates, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 110 The Silverware Caddy A stoneware silverware tote with a round bar handle, three cells for forks, knives and spoons and a napkin well.
  • Intermediate
  • 2 1/2 hours over two sittings, plus a slow dry
  • 5 sheets, 9 pages
8 15/16 in long, 5 3/4 in wide and 8 5/16 in tall to the top of the end boards
Sage green stoneware silverware tray with four lanes in a kitchen drawer, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 112 The Silverware Drawer Organizer A stoneware silverware tray for your kitchen drawer, in two sizes: a Standard with four lanes and an XL with five.
  • Intermediate
  • 2 1/2 hours (Standard) to 3 hours (XL) at the table, plus a slow dry
  • 16 sheets, 20 pages
Standard 9 3/4 in x 13 in, XL 12 in x 16 in, both 2 in tall
Sea green stoneware toothbrush holder with brushes, toothpaste, razor and drip drawer, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 115 The Toothbrush Caddy Four toothbrushes in their own cells, toothpaste standing cap down, a razor slot and a slide-out drip drawer.
  • Intermediate
  • 3 hours over two sittings, plus a slow dry
  • 6 sheets, 11 pages
holds 4 toothbrushes and a tube of toothpaste, 5 15/16 in wide and 5 1/2 in tall
Forest green stoneware incense ash catcher with a lit stick and a line of ash, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 120 The Incense Ash Catcher A long tray that holds a stick at a lean and catches every bit of its ash, from one folded slab.
  • Intermediate
  • 90 minutes
  • 2 sheets, 6 pages
11 5/16 in long and 2 7/16 in wide, for sticks up to 11 in
Charcoal twisted stoneware spoon rest with a wooden spoon resting in its corner notch, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 133 The Twisted Spoon Rest A shallow six-sided dish with folded, leaning faces and a V notch cut into one corner for the spoon's handle.
  • Intermediate
  • 90 minutes, plus drying
  • 2 sheets, 6 pages
5 in across the flats and 1 1/2 in deep
A faceted origami wolf howling at the sky in satin storm gray stoneware on a mantel, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 136 The Origami Wolf A sitting wolf howling at the sky, built from 14 flat slab pieces like a folded paper wolf, with a long pointed muzzle, two ears swept back and a tail curling round to its chest. No grooves to cut: every piece is flat or bends gently.
  • Intermediate
  • 2 1/2 hours at the table, plus a slow dry
  • 4 sheets, 9 pages
9 in tall to the tip of the nose, 7 9/16 in x 5 11/16 in on the shelf with its tail
A blue stoneware water bird whistle standing on a wooden table beside a white mug, made from The Clay Hole paper template Paper template 138 The Water Bird Whistle A round clay songbird that whistles when you blow its tail and warbles with a little water inside, tuned to C.
  • Intermediate
  • 2 hours, and a few minutes of tuning with water
  • 1 sheet, 7 pages
a round bird 3 7/8 in long and 2 1/4 in tall
More bundles

Bundles that go with these

Each one is a handful of templates that belong together, for less than they cost one at a time.

A small stoneware tealight house with a blue roof, glowing from a candle inside, made from The Clay Hole paper template
A complete set

Houses That Glow Bundle

A tealight house, a canal house and a lighthouse, all lit from inside.

Three templates, Intermediate to Expert.

$54.60$78saves $23.40

See what’s in it
Every level

Somewhere to go next

Beginner16 templatesOne or two sheets, no lids to fit. Intermediate33 templates, this pageParts that have to fit each other. Advanced35 templatesMore sheets, and sometimes hardware. Expert20 templatesMost of an afternoon, or a few sittings. Insane30 templatesDozens of pieces that fit exactly. Legendary3 templatesWorld monuments, built in sections. Kiln furniture4 templatesRacks and trees for firing beads.

Every paper template · Every bundle · Every collection

Sent as download links by email the moment the order goes through. Already a member? Log in, and five templates a month are free, one at a time.

Sent as download links by email the moment the order goes through. Already a member? Log in and five templates a month are free.
How a template works

Print, check, roll, cut, build

A paper template does one thing: it puts the same shape on the slab every time, at a size that was decided before the clay came out of the bag. That is how a set of four tumblers matches, and how a lid fits the box it was cut with.

1

Print at 100 percent

Actual size, never Fit to page. Plain copy paper works. Card stock survives a wet slab and can be used again.

2

Check the print

Every sheet carries a 1 inch square and a 5 centimeter bar. A ruler on the square settles whether the print is right. A piece bigger than a sheet prints in parts: match the triangles and tape them first.

3

Roll the slab

Most packs are drawn for 1/4 inch, and the cover says when one needs thicker. Let the slab firm up to soft leather hard, so it holds an edge and still bends.

4

Cut the count, then build

Lay the paper on the slab, cut straight down just outside the edge, bevel where the hatching says, and follow the numbered steps.

A string around your finger

The final lap is yours

I drew these so the fiddly part is already solved. The seams line up, the lid fits, and the piece comes out the size the pack says. That’s my part. Everything after the last seam belongs to you.

Press a texture into the slab before you cut it. Carve or pierce it at leather hard. Give it feet, a knob or a handle I never drew. Glaze it in something I would never pick in a million years. Two people can build the same template side by side and walk away with pieces that look nothing alike, and that’s exactly how it should go.

  • Texture the slab first
  • Carve, pierce or stamp
  • Add feet, knobs or handles
  • Sprigs and slip trailing
  • Glaze it your way

One thing to keep in mind: leave the bones alone. Thinning a wall that carries weight, cutting through a seam or piling extra clay on a lid changes how the piece holds together in the kiln. Decorate the skin as much as you like.

Members

Free templates, every single month

Print one tonight and bring it to your next session. I’d love to see what you make. If you are not a member yet, a membership includes five free templates a month along with the classes, the kilns, the glaze wall and everything else in the studio.

Log in. Members get five free a month See what a membership includes