What Are Minecraft Smithing Templates And How To Use Them

What is a Smithing Template in Minecraft

A Smithing Template is a utility item that you can use to customize and upgrade other items in a Smithing Table. Appearance-wise, they look similar to an ancient tablet and often have a symbol referencing their spawn location or name.
There are two types of Smithing Templates in the game – Upgrade Template and Armor Trims.

Upgrade Template

The Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template allows you to upgrade your diamond items to Netherite, turning them into their strongest form. It works with armor pieces, tools, and swords in Minecraft. With the Minecraft 1.20 update, there is no way to use Netherite without this template, making it extremely valuable.

Armor Trims

You can use Armor Trim Smithing Templates to customize pieces of your armor by adding patterns to them. There is a total of 18 armor trims in the game and each one of them spawns in a unique in-game structure. Moreover, you get 10 color options to further customize your armor. These are gray (iron), orange (copper), yellow (gold), blue (lapis lazuli), green (emerald), cyan (diamond), black (Netherite), red (Redstone), purple (amethyst), and white (quartz).

Where to Find Smithing Templates in Minecraft

First, you are guaranteed to find an Upgrade template in the chests on the central platform of the Treasure Room of the Bastion Remnant in the Nether dimension. However, you can get armor trims in almost every major in-game structure.
Refer to the table below to find the spawn locations for each. If you want to know more about all armor trims and their location in Minecraft, follow our dedicated guide. NameLocationUpgrade TemplateBastion RemnantSentry Armor TrimPillager OutpostDune Armor TrimDesert PyramidCoast Armor TrimShipwreckWild Armor TrimJungle TempleTide Armor TrimOcean MonumentWard Armor TrimAncient CityVex Armor TrimWoodland MansionRib Armor TrimNether FortressSnout Armor TrimBastion RemnantEye Armor TrimStrongholdSpire Armor TrimEnd CitySilence Armor TrimAncient CityWayfinder Armor TrimTrail RuinsRaiser Armor TrimTrail RuinsShaper Armor TrimTrail RuinsHost Armor TrimTrail RuinsBolt Armor TrimTrial ChambersFlow Armor TrimTrial Chambers

How to Duplicate a Smithing Template

Unfortunately, almost every Smithing template only spawns as a single item within its dedicated location. So, sometimes, you will struggle with finding more than one of them. Luckily, there is a way to duplicate them. Let’s see how:

First, place a Smithing Template in the middle cell of the topmost row of the crafting table. Then, put a compatible item right beneath it. You can find the list of each compatible item in our dedicated guide on how to make Smithing Templates. Finally, fill the rest of the crafting area with diamonds.

How to Use a Smithing Template in Minecraft

Once you have collected the templates, follow the steps below to use a Smithing Template to make a Netherite armor or add patterns to your armor:

First, open the Smithing Table and place the template in the leftmost slot of the interface. Then, place the compatible gear into the slot next to the template. The cell will show you all compatible items for that template with a dynamic silhouette. Finally, place the material you want to add to the template. It can be any of the coloring materials for armor trims and only Netherite for the Upgrade template.

Now, you are ready to collect, make, and use the Smithing templates in Minecraft. Whether you wish to design your own gear or upgrade to the strongest items in the game, these templates have you covered. However, make sure you know the best level to find diamonds in Minecraft as you will need a lot of them. So which Smithing template are you going to use first? Tell us in the comments below!