3D-printed cookie cutters used to make this tile design

Only three tile shapes were needed. The fish cutters were 3D printed to both cut and stamp at the same time. Multiple slightly different sizes of the triangle and trapezoid were made to accommodate irregularities and keep joints tighter. The clay is M340 and the glazes are Amaco Celadons and Potter's Choice (for brushing). These are small and we found that a good way to paint them was to glue them down to a plaster slab with a few drops of glaze (it was easy to scrape off when the three coats had dried).

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Video: Create a cookie cutter/stamper in 3D software, print it and use it

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This cookie cutter can both cut and stamp the piece (notice the 3D render in the centre, the logo is 2mm lower than that cutter around the outside). We make them by rolling a slab to 3.2mm (1/8in) thick, applying stretch wrap over it and then pressing the cutter/stamper into it (using a wood block). Then just peel away the plastic and the outer waste clay and a perfect crest is left. This method enables using clay of almost any stiffness. We find that softer clay works best, just peel it up from the board, apply slip to the back, position it on the side of the leather hard ware and press it down (from the centre outwards). On the lower right is a crested mug that has just been glazed. Upper right is a crest that has been glazed and fired. About the cookie cutter: We create them with 0.8mm wall thickness (twice the width of the 0.4mm extruder on the 3D printer). We export the vector image (made in Illustrator) into Fusion 360 and then add elements to stabilize and hold the profile in place. This cutter is 8mm tall and the stamp lines are 5mm tall. The crest is 52mm (2 in) wide. This whole process may sound a little intimidating to you - but we are working on a step-by-step video.

Magic tile shape assembles organically, never creating a pattern

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This is the most complex shape known that can fit together organically, without a pattern (dubbed the Einstein tile, it was discovered by mathematicians in 2023). It has six sides of 1 unit length, six of 1/1.73205080757 and one side measuring twice the latter. Placing the tiles is tricky because it is only logical to seek a pattern, but there is none. One method is to start with a center tile and move outward in a spiral, being ready to backtrack and place them upside down when a piece cannot be fit. The tile shape is a product of connecting four identical irregular pentagons - each made by cutting a regular hexagon into three pieces. To achieve the maximum precision, 3D print multiple cookie cutters and let them stiffen and shrink in the cutters. To round the upper corners use stretch wrap) when stamping (print cutters in both orientations if doing this). Tiling a floor or wall will present issues with the number of edge tiles that need to be cut. However, cutting at least some custom edge shapes is practical because only 90 and 120 degree angles are needed.

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Cookie Cutting clay with 3D printed cutters
We are finding more and more applications for this simple process of cookie-cutting shapes in ceramics. You won't believe whats possible and how easy it is to get started.

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