From Sketch to Game Table: How We Make Our Dice Trays

At Mana Burn Workshop, every dice tray starts the same way—with an idea.

Sometimes that idea begins as a quick sketch on paper. Other times, if I'm already at my workstation, I'll jump straight into my drawing tablet and start creating digitally. Every illustration is original, allowing me to experiment with themes, compositions, and details until I have a design that feels worthy of becoming something you can actually use at the table.

Building the Foundation

Once the artwork is finished, it's time to prepare the wood.

Each tray is cut from durable 1/4-inch Baltic birch plywood, chosen for its strength, smooth finish, and consistent quality. Before any engraving happens, I hand-mix custom wood dyes using acrylic paint and water to create rich, natural-looking color variations. After the dye is applied, the excess is carefully wiped away before the surface is lightly sanded to reveal the wood's character while leaving behind a beautifully even finish.

To protect the tray for years of game nights, I apply three coats of water-based polyurethane to both sides. This creates a durable finish that resists everyday wear while allowing the natural beauty of the wood to shine through.

Bringing the Artwork to Life

Once the protective finish has fully cured, the tray moves to the laser, where the original artwork is permanently engraved into the wood before each individual component is precision cut. After engraving, I hand-apply a dark wash that settles into every etched detail, adding depth and contrast that brings the artwork to life. To complete the process, the tray receives two final coats of clear finish, sealing the engraving beneath a durable protective layer that's built to withstand years of game nights.

Engineered to Be Different

While the artwork often catches people's attention first, the engineering behind each tray is just as important.

The design started with the iconic octagonal shape that has become a signature of many Mana Burn Workshop products. Rather than adapting an existing design, I built the tray from the ground up, carefully engineering every dimension for both appearance and function.

The precision-fit PETG corner pieces were designed and sculpted specifically for these trays, creating a strong and distinctive frame that's unlike anything else on the market. They're secured using 20 mm black Chicago screws, adding both visual character and long-term durability. They're not hidden away—they're part of the design itself.

Built for Game Night—And Every Day Between

I wanted these trays to be more than just something you pull out when initiative is rolled.

When the game is over, the tray becomes a piece of artwork. Its octagonal shape and engraved illustrations make it easy to display on the wall in a game room, office, or den, where it serves as a reminder of the worlds we explore and the stories we create around the table.

That's the philosophy behind everything I make at Mana Burn Workshop. Every tray begins as an original drawing, is crafted by hand through multiple finishing steps, and is built to become a functional piece of art that's just as enjoyable to display as it is to use.

Because the best gaming accessories don't just hold your dice—they become part of your adventures.