Cutting Board & Serving Tray Templates for Router Woodworking

Cutting Board and Serving Tray Router Templates for Custom Woodworking Projects

Router tray templates take a solid wood blank and transform it into a finished cutting board, serving tray, or decorative piece in a fraction of the time required by hand carving. Each template mounts to the workpiece and guides your router to excavate the interior profile, leaving clean walls and a flat floor with minimal sanding required.

Standard, Seasonal, and Novelty Tray Profiles

The collection includes everyday tray shapes such as the Round Cutting Board Templates and rectangular serving trays, alongside a wide range of novelty and seasonal shapes. Holiday options include the 4-piece Christmas Tray Template Package and the 4-piece Halloween Tray Template Package with bat, pumpkin, and gingerbread man profiles. Sports and themed options like the Football Tray Template make great gifts and craft fair projects.

The 6-piece Tray Template Package offers a versatile starter set covering the most popular tray sizes and shapes. Individual templates can be added as needed for specific projects.

Pair tray templates with the appropriate carbide router bits — typically a straight or bowl-and-tray bit for the interior excavation — and complement the finished piece with an edge profile from our edge-forming router bits collection. For all routing jigs and guides, see the router jigs and guides collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a router tray template and how does it work?

A router tray template is a rigid guide that mounts over a wood blank and constrains your router to follow the inside perimeter of the shape. The router bit removes the interior material to a uniform depth, producing a cleanly excavated tray cavity that matches the template's profile.

What router bit do I use with tray templates?

A straight or upcut spiral bit is the standard choice for initial waste removal inside tray templates. A bowl-and-tray bit with its angled cutting profile produces smooth, slightly radiused interior walls. Choose a bit with a diameter appropriate for the template's interior curves. See the full carbide router bits collection for options.

Can I make cutting boards with these templates, or are they only for decorative trays?

Both. Templates like the Round Cutting Board Templates are designed specifically for functional cutting boards. Standard rectangular tray shapes also work as cutting boards once the interior recess is routed and finished appropriately.

Are there templates for holiday gift projects?

Yes. The collection includes seasonal templates for Christmas, Halloween, and other occasions. The 4-piece Christmas Tray Template Package and 4-piece Halloween Tray Template Package are popular choices for seasonal craft projects.

What wood species work best for routed serving trays?

Hardwoods such as maple, walnut, cherry, and oak are the most common choices for serving trays and cutting boards because they resist denting and take a clean cut. Avoid softwoods for items that will see heavy use. Ensure the blank is flat and properly dried to minimize warping after routing.

How deep should I rout the interior of a serving tray?

Typical serving tray interiors are routed to a depth of 3/8" to 1/2", leaving enough material for structural integrity. The appropriate depth depends on your blank thickness and the intended use. Multiple shallow passes produce cleaner results than a single deep pass.

Do I need a router table to use tray templates?

No. Tray templates are designed for handheld router use. The template clamps to the workpiece and the router moves freely inside the opening. For tips on handheld router technique, visit the Infinity Tools learning blog.

Can I add a decorative edge profile to a finished tray?

Yes. Once the tray interior is routed, use an edge-forming bit to profile the outside perimeter of the tray. A roundover or ogee bit is a popular choice for serving trays. Browse the edge-forming router bits for compatible profiles.

Is there a starter tray template set for beginners?

Yes. The 6-piece Tray Template Package is a good starting point, covering a range of everyday tray shapes. Individual templates like the 1/4 or 1/3 tray proportions are also available separately.

Does Infinity Tools guarantee its templates?

Yes. Infinity Tools backs its products with a quality guarantee. See the quality guarantee page for full details on coverage and returns.

Cutting Board & Serving Templates