How to Get and Use Smithing Templates in Minecraft

While a lot of new features have been added with Minecraft update 1.20, namely Camels and Cherry Blossom trees, other parts of Minecraft have received some decent overhauls to make certain systems more rewarding. The biggest change comes with the new Smithing Templates, which have new functionality while also serving to make getting the strongest tools and armor more difficult. Here’s how to get and use Smithing Templates in Minecraft.

How to Get a Smithing Template in Minecraft

Smithing Templates can drop from a variety of locations depending on what you’re looking for. They have a chance to drop in specific chests across nearly every structure in the game, though almost every Smithing Template is a purely cosmetic change. The only Smithing Template that has practical use is the Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template, which is used to upgrade from Diamond to Netherite on any piece of gear. Here’s where you can find all armor trims, along with the chance to appear in that chest:

• Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template
  • Found in Bastion Remnants
    • Hoglin Stable Chest: 10%
    • Generic Chest: 10%
    • Treasure Chest: 100%
    • Bridge Chest: 10%
• Coast Armor Trim Smithing Template
  • Found in Shipwrecks
    • Treasure Chest: 16.7%
    • Map Chest: 16.7%
    • Supply Chest: 16.7%
• Dune Armor Trim Smithing Template
  • Found in Desert Temples
    • Chest: 16.7%
• Eye Armor Trim Smithing Template
  • Found in Strongholds
    • Altar Chest: 10%
    • Library Chest: 100%
• Rib Armor Trim Smithing Template
  • Found in Nether Fortresses
    • Chest: 6.7%
• Sentry Armor Trim Smithing Template
  • Found in Pillager Outposts
    • Chest: 25%
• Silence Armor Trim Smithing Template
  • Found in Ancient Cities
    • Chest: 1.2%
• Snout Armor Trim Smithing Template
  • Found in Bastion Remnants
    • Hoglin Stable Chest: 8.3%
    • Generic Chest: 8.3%
    • Treasure Chest: 8.3%
    • Bridge Chest: 8.3%
• Spire Armor Trim Smithing Template
  • Found in End Cities
    • Chest: 6.7%
• Vex Armor Trim Smithing Template
  • Found in Woodland Mansions
    • Chest: 50%
• Ward Armor Trim Smithing Template
  • Found in Ancient Cities
    • Chest: 5%
• Wild Armor Trim Smithing Template
  • Found in Jungle Temples
    • Chest: 33.3%

The above percentages are unified across both Java and Bedrock. The percentages that differ are for the Wayfinder, Shaper, Host, and Raiser armor trim Smithing Templates. The chance for these to drop from Trail Ruins Suspicious Gravel is 8.3% on Java and 1.8% on Bedrock.

Once you have a Smithing Template, it is possible to duplicate single Armor Trims to turn one into two. To do this, go into a Crafting Table and use seven Diamonds to fill up the grid, leaving the center grid space and the upper middle grid space empty. In the upper middle spot, place the Smithing Template you wish to duplicate. In the middle spot, you can place any of the following blocks:

• Netherrack
• Cobblestone
• Sandstone
• End Stone
• Terracotta
• Cobbled Deepslate
• Blackstone
• Purpur Block
• Prismarine
• Mossy Cobblestone

Once done, you’ll have a duplicated Smithing Template. You can do this however many times you want to get however many Smithing Templates you wish.

How to Use Smithing Templates in Minecraft

Smithing Templates can be used at Smithing Tables to either upgrade your gear to Netherite, as mentioned earlier, or to add trims to your armor. Before you can get started, you’ll need to build a Smithing Table. This can be done by placing two Iron Ingots in the top row of the crafting bench, followed by four wooden planks of your choice taking up the 2×2 below the Iron Ingots. You can also use the above image for reference.

Once you have the Smithing Table, head into the interface. You’ll need three items to make either your Armor trim or upgrade your piece of gear to Netherite. You’ll need the Smithing Template along with a piece of gear (Diamond gear for Netherite upgrades). For Netherite upgrading, you’ll need a Netherite ingot. Armor trims are where the choice becomes a little more complicated. Different dyes, crystals, and ingots will make the armor trim different colors. Each color option and the required item are below:

• Green: Emerald
• Red: Redstone
• Dark Blue: Lapis Lazuli
• Purple: Amethyst Shard
• White: Quartz
• Black: Netherite Ingot
• Light Blue: Diamond
• Yellow: Gold Ingot
• Grey: Iron Ingot
• Mahogany/Chestnut Red: Brick

Once you have the armor trim on your armor, it’s important to note two things. First, any armor trim you put on your armor can be changed later if you wish. You’ll need to get either the same or different Smithing Template depending on what you want, but you aren’t locked into one. The other thing is that your trims will persist when you upgrade to Netherite, so you won’t need to hold off on trimming until then.

Related: How to Update Minecraft Bedrock to 1.20

There you have it! That’s how you get and use Smithing Templates in Minecraft. While we’re on the topic of new Minecraft 1.20 features, check out our guide on what Sniffers eat in Minecraft.