Make a Card Tray: A Step‑by‑Step Tutorial for Ceramic Gaming Accessories

Struggling to find tabletop accessories that feel as unique as your collection? Make your own.

If you love collectible card games and tabletop sessions but hate bulky mass‑market trays and scratchy plastic bowls, this tutorial is for you. In 2026, tabletop players want one‑of‑a‑kind, durable gaming gear that reflects their fandom—and ceramics are the perfect answer. This guide gives a practical, workshop‑tested path to making a card tray, a ceramic dice bowl, and a ceramic “playmat” tile set using both handbuilding and wheel‑throwing methods. You'll get measurements, materials, firing/glaze advice, and finishing tips geared to collectors and gamers.

What you'll walk away with (in the first 10 minutes)

• How to design a card tray sized for Magic: The Gathering and poker cards
• Two ways to make a dice bowl—wheel‑thrown and pinch/coiled
• Building modular ceramic playmat tiles and making them tabletop‑safe
• Glaze choices, firing schedules, and 2026 glaze trends for durable, collectible pieces
• Practical finishing: felt liners, non‑slip bases, and care tips to keep sleeves and cards safe

Why ceramic gaming accessories matter now (2026 trends)

Since late 2024 the tabletop and collectibles market has leaned heavily into artisanal accessories: limited runs, licensed crossover merch, and customizable pieces. High‑profile drops—like specialized card releases and entertainment crossovers—have driven collectors to invest in themed display and play accessories. At the same time, maker culture and accessible pottery tools (low‑cost electric kick wheels, community kilns, and hobby kilns) mean more gamers are making gear themselves.

“Custom tactile accessories move a game from play to ritual.” — workshop note from a ceramics maker who runs pop‑up stalls at gaming conventions (2025–26)

Practical takeaway: offering or making ceramics for tabletop play taps into both collector demand and the desire for durable, beautiful gear that feels like part of the hobby.

Materials & tools: what you'll need

Clay & body

• Clay body: mid‑fire stoneware (cone 5–6) is ideal—durable, resistant to chipping, and forgiving in glazes. Porcelain works for a refined look but is trickier to handle.
• Weight for dice bowls: 400–700g of clay for a single‑player bowl; 900–1300g for a communal bowl.

Tools

• Rolling pin or slab roller, fettling knives, ribs, sponge
• Potter’s wheel (optional for dice bowls) or stones for handbuilding
• Banding wheel or turntable
• Needle tool, metal ribs, wooden modeling tools
• Sandpaper (320–400 grit) for smoothing fired edges

Firing & glazes

• Bisque to cone 04, glaze to cone 5–6 (if using mid‑fire stoneware)
• Glaze tips: choose lead‑free, food‑safe glazes if pieces will touch fingers a lot. Matte glazes reduce glare under table lighting; satin finishes hide micro scratches better than high‑gloss.
• Underglaze pens or slips for detailed motifs, decals for licensed art—but verify licensing when selling.

Design fundamentals (measured for gamers)

Card tray dimensions

Design around the most common card sizes. Standard trading card (MTG / poker) measures about 63 x 88 mm (approx. 2.48 x 3.46 in). Allow room for sleeves and handling.

• Single stack compartment: internal width = card width + 6–8 mm (for sleeved cards). For one stack, internal width ≈ 72 mm.
• Length: allow card length + 12–20 mm so fingers can access top cards easily. Internal length ≈ 100–110 mm.
• Depth: 18–25 mm for decks kept sleeved; deeper (30–40 mm) for multiple stacked decks.
• Multi‑compartment trays: add 4–6 mm wall thickness between compartments; consider a divider height flush with the rim or recessed.

Dice bowl sizing

• Personal dice bowl: internal diameter 70–100 mm; depth 35–50 mm. This fits a handful of d6s or a few polyhedral sets comfortably.
• Group bowl: internal diameter 120–140 mm; depth 40–60 mm for communal rolls.
• Rounded interiors reduce dice bounce off hard edges; a slight inward rim helps keep dice in play.

Playmat tiles

Ceramic playmats are best done as modular tiles rather than a single giant slab (shipping, warping, and breakage risks). Popular formats:

• 6 x 6 in (15 x 15 cm) or 8 x 8 in tiles that link visually to make a full mat
• Add a cork or rubber backing to each tile for non‑slip and to protect tabletops
• Edge profile: slightly beveled to reduce catching and make swapping tiles easier

Step‑by‑step: Make a slab card tray

This is the fastest route to a clean, repeatable card tray that you can reproduce for gift runs and fan‑market sales.

1. Prepare clay: Wedge 800–1200g for a two‑compartment tray. Roll out a slab to 8–10 mm thick (slightly thicker near edges reduces warping).
2. Cut base: Using card dimensions above, cut a rectangle sized for three compartments (or your chosen layout). Mark inner compartment lines lightly with snap‑off blade.
3. Make walls: Roll a second slab to 6–8 mm. Cut wall strips—height matching desired depth + extra for joining (e.g., a 30 mm wall for a 25 mm internal depth).
4. Score & slip: Score both base and wall edges, apply slip and compress wall onto base. Use a small rib to smooth the joint internally and externally.
5. Chamfer and fillet: Soften interior corners with a rounded tool—this reduces stress and makes cards slide in more easily.
6. Add details: Carve shallow index grooves, logo plate, or a recessed thumb notch.
7. Dry carefully: Cover with plastic to slow drying for 48+ hours; uneven drying causes warping and cracks.
8. Bisque fire & glaze: Bisque to cone 04. Glaze coat the interior with a robust, low‑porosity glaze (cone 5–6). For interiors that contact sleeves often, choose a matte satin with low abrasion tendency.
9. Finish: After glaze firing, sand any rough bases and glue on felt pads. Optionally, add a silicone non‑skid strip in the tray's base compartments.

Step‑by‑step: Make a dice bowl (two methods)

Wheel‑thrown dice bowl (smooth, rounded)

1. Center 400–700g of clay and open to form a wide, shallow bowl. Aim for a wall thickness of 6–8 mm; thinner walls chip more easily.
2. Raise the walls smoothly, pulling with steady hands to maintain an even profile. Shape an inward lip at the rim to keep dice from popping out.
3. Trim foot once leather‑hard; create a sturdy foot ring for balance.
4. Bisque, then glaze. A satin or satin‑matte glaze prevents dice from skittering too much; for a tricked‑out feel, use a speckled glaze or reactive shino effects (test for fit with slips and underglaze).

Pinch/coiled dice bowl (handbuilt, textured)

1. Begin with a 450–900g ball. Press a shallow cup and pinch walls up to desired thickness.
2. Or coil a base and smooth interior coils for a textured, organic look. Texture exterior with stamps or carved motifs (dice faces, rune marks, faction sigils).
3. Pay attention to joins—score and slip generously; compress joints inside to avoid air pockets.
4. Dry slowly, bisque and glaze as above. For textured bowls, highlight textures with a contrasting wash glaze or underglaze before a clear overcoat.

Step‑by‑step: Modular ceramic playmat tiles

1. Cut tiles: Roll slab to 6–7 mm thickness and cut squares (6 or 8 in). Keep edges slightly rounded to avoid chipping.
2. Surface treatment: Use underglazes or microfiber stencils to paint play zones, art borders, or player sigils. Popular 2025–26 trend: micro‑illustration panels inspired by licensed drops—get permission before replicating brand imagery.
3. Backings: After glaze firing, attach 1–2 mm cork or EVA rubber sheets with silicone adhesive for table protection and noise dampening.
4. Connection features: Add shallow keyed edges or visual guides so tiles line up cleanly; avoid mechanical fasteners that can damage edges.

Glaze tips for long‑lasting, collector‑grade pieces

• Prefer mid‑fire stoneware glazes (cone 5–6) for reduced crazing and improved durability compared to low‑fire earthenware.
• Test your glaze bodies: Do a fit test including a thermal shock test by pouring warm water after firing—this simulates dice impact and rapid temperature change from hands.
• Matte/satin vs glossy: Matte reduces glare for table photos and complements most gaming tables; satin balances smoothness and scratch resistance.
• Reactive glazes: Popular in 2026—layer transparent reactive glazes over speckled underglazes for gemlike surfaces favored by collectors.
• Seal porous interiors: If you make unglazed sections (raw clay textures), consider a microseal food‑safe wax or clear matte overglaze so cards and sleeves don't pick up clay dust.

Finishing touches: making pieces playable and protective

• Felt liners: Glue thin felt or wool into card compartments to prevent sleeve abrasion and reduce noise.
• Rubber/silicone bumpers: Add soft bumpers under dice bowls for table protection and to dampen clatter during rolls.
• Edge smoothing: After final firing, use 320–400 grit sandpaper on the rim to remove any sharp bits. Wet‑sand for a smoother finish.
• Attachment hardware: Use archival silicone adhesives for cork backings or felt—these tolerate temperature changes and are long‑lasting.

Case study: From prototype to small batch for the fan market (real experience)

At a 2025 craft & gaming pop‑up, a maker tested a 2‑compartment tray sized for sleeved MTG decks. Their prototype (slab with chamfered thumb notch, satin glaze interior, felt base) sold out in two days. Key learnings:

• Customers preferred slightly deeper trays (30 mm internally) to hold sleeved commander decks comfortably.
• Personalization (hand‑painted sigils for faction or guild) increased order value by 30%.
• Offering a coordinated dice bowl and tile pair as a bundle moved more stock than single items.

Actionable takeaway: prototype one solid size, then expand to a small set (tray + bowl + 2 tiles) for gifts or convention sales.

Common problems & how to avoid them

• Warped trays: Dry slabs under plastic to slow shrinkage; keep wall/ base thickness consistent.
• Glaze crawling: Clean bisque surfaces of grease; test fit with your chosen glaze—add a thin coat of a different glaze to improve adhesion if needed.
• Chipping rims: Make rims thicker (6–8 mm), use a supportive foot ring, and discourage stacking without padding when selling.
• Sleeve damage: Avoid highly textured or rough interior surfaces; always recommend a felt liner for sleeved cards.

Packaging, pricing, and selling tips for the fan market

In 2026, buyers want collectability, provenance, and good photos. For small batches:

• Tell the story: Include a small card about your process, clay body, and glaze—collectors appreciate maker stories and this builds trust.
• Bundle options: Tray + dice bowl + 2 tiles as a “starter kit” is an appealing gift idea for gamers.
• Packing: Use molded pulp or recycled foam and individual felt wraps for each piece to prevent breakage in shipping.
• Price strategy: Factor labor, kiln time, and finishing. Small handcrafted pieces in the fan market often command a 3×–6× materials markup depending on detailing and personalization.

Care and longevity (what to tell buyers)

• Wipe glazes with a soft damp cloth; avoid harsh abrasives on decorative surfaces.
• Do not subject pieces to thermal shock—avoid microwave or hot liquids in delicate glazed bowls unless rated food‑safe and tested.
• Reapply felt or cork if worn; these are easy repairs and extend life dramatically.

Advanced strategies & what to test next (2026 forward)

• Integrate tech: Use laser‑cut rubber templates or 3D‑printed molds to speed production while keeping handmade finishing—popular for modestly scaled runs in 2025–26.
• Limited edition glazes: Experiment with reactive glazes and tiny inlaid metallic slips for premium drops aimed at collectors.
• Collaborations: Partner with illustrators or licensed IP holders for themed sets—this is a growing (and lucrative) trend but requires rights clearance.
• Teaching & community: Run small workshops at local game stores or conventions—this drives brand awareness and direct sales.

Final checklist before your first firing

• All joins smoothed and compressed; no trapped air pockets.
• Consistent wall thickness to minimize warping.
• Bisque‑cleaned surfaces before glazing; test glaze fit on a sample.
• Cork/felt backing materials and adhesives on hand for finishing.

Ready to make your first set?

Start small: make one tray, one dice bowl, and two modular tiles. Use the measurements above, test one bisque/glaze combination, and evaluate wear with sleeved cards and actual dice. Iterate once—most makers find small tweaks (depth, rim shape, texture finish) dramatically improve function.

Call to action: Try the slab tray design in your next session: measure a sleeved deck, make a 30 mm internal depth tray with a recessed thumb notch, and share the result with our community. Want templates, kiln schedules (cone‑by‑cone), or printable cut sheets? Sign up for our ceramics.top newsletter or join our maker discord to download free templates, glaze recipes tested in 2025–26, and a video walkthrough of the dice bowl wheel throw. Turn your next game night into a showcase with handmade gear that lasts.

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