Trim a foot ring on a cylinder

The foot ring is what separates student work from intentional craft. It's also what keeps your glaze off the kiln shelf.

The sequence (in this order, every time)

1. Define the outer wall: cut a clean vertical line marking the foot's outer edge
2. Hollow the interior: remove clay from inside the ring, working center outward
3. Angle the inner wall: slight inward slope (prevents glaze pooling)
4. Check floor thickness: needle tool through to the interior. Safe = 5–7 mm
5. Bevel the outer edge: small 45° chamfer with a knife. Prevents chipping.

Foot ring dimensions for a standard mug

• Width: ~6 mm
• Height: ~10 mm
• Diameter: about two-thirds of the base width

The cardinal sin

Trimming through the floor. Check thickness early and often. You cannot un-trim.