Rectangle 2 Pocket Valet Tray Router Template (Clear Acrylic)

Rectangle 2 Pocket Valet Tray Template - Clear Acrylic Woodworking Router Template

Create clean, functional valet trays, catch-all dishes, and small organizers with this rectangle 2 pocket clear acrylic woodworking router template. This tray template is designed for routing recessed pockets into wood, making it a great option for projects that need one larger pocket and one smaller pocket for organizing everyday items.

The simple rectangle layout works well for compact trays, desk organizers, nightstand trays, entryway catch-alls, and handmade gift projects. The included rectangle inlay from the small pocket can also be used as part of your layout, design process, or matching project details.

What You Can Make With This Template

This tray template is designed for routing recessed tray pockets into a wood blank, not for cutting a full board shape all the way through. The 2 pocket layout gives you a simple, practical design that works well for everyday use and small-batch woodworking projects.

• Small valet trays for keys, coins, wallets, watches, and accessories
• Desk organizers for pens, clips, coins, and small office items
• Nightstand trays for jewellery, glasses, and everyday carry items
• Entryway catch-all trays for daily essentials
• Small wooden dishes for decorative or display use
• Giftable tray projects made from walnut, maple, cherry, white oak, or mixed-species glue-ups

Why Use a Clear Acrylic Rectangle Tray Template?

A clear acrylic router template helps you position the tray layout before routing. You can see the grain, colour, and natural features in your wood blank, making it easier to centre the template and avoid areas you do not want included in the finished piece.

The rectangle 2 pocket layout is especially useful when you want a tray that feels simple and practical. The larger pocket can hold bigger items, while the smaller pocket works well for coins, jewellery, keys, or other small accessories. Because the template is reusable, it is also a good choice if you want to make multiples for gifts, markets, or shop inventory.

• Clear acrylic helps with grain alignment and layout
• Reusable template for repeat tray projects
• Simple 2 pocket layout for practical organization
• Great for small valet trays, dishes, and desk organizers
• Works well with dimensional hardwood, laminated blanks, and multi-species glue-ups

Recommended Products to Use With This Template

For best results, use the proper router bits, secure the template firmly, and start with a flat, stable wood blank that gives you enough thickness for a clean recessed pocket.

• Template Tape - used to secure the clear acrylic template to your wood while routing.
• Pocketing Bit - useful for removing the majority of the material from the recessed pocket areas.
• Pocketing Bit for Inside Tray Profiles - used for the inside tray profile and leaves a 1/8" radius.
• Flush Trim Bit for Outside Profile - used when routing the outside profile of compatible template projects.
• Dimensional Wood - a natural fit for tray and dish projects when you want a ready-to-use hardwood blank.
• Cutting Board Strips and Accent Strips - great options for building a custom multi-species tray blank.
• Walrus Oil Cutting Board Oil - a good choice for food-contact boards and serving-style projects.
• Grand Finishing Hardwax Oil - a great option for decorative trays, valet trays, desk organizers, and non-food-contact projects.

How to Use This Rectangle 2 Pocket Tray Template

1. Choose a flat, stable wood blank that is large enough for the overall template size.
2. Place the clear acrylic template on the wood and adjust the layout based on the grain, colour, and natural features in the board.
3. Secure the template to the wood using Template Tape.
4. Use a larger pocketing bit to remove the majority of the material from the recessed tray pockets.
5. Use the inside tray profiling bit to complete the pocket shape and create the 1/8" radius inside the tray pockets.
6. Rout in shallow passes instead of trying to remove all of the material at once.
7. Remove the template, sand the pockets and surface, then apply a finish based on how the tray will be used.

For food-contact or serving-style projects, choose a food-safe option like Walrus Oil Cutting Board Oil. For decorative valet trays, desk organizers, nightstand trays, and other non-food-contact pieces, Grand Finishing Hardwax Oil is a strong option.

Watch: How to Use Acrylic Router Templates

New to acrylic router templates or looking for a cleaner process? Watch this video for a helpful overview of how we use templates in the shop.

Template Details

• Template Name: Rectangle 2 Pocket Tray Template
• Material: Clear acrylic
• Overall Size: 11.75" wide by 7.875" tall
• Small Pocket: 3.437" by 6.875"
• Large Pocket: 6.875" by 6.875"
• Border: 0.5" wide
• Template SKU: 10-003
• Included Inlay: Rectangle inlay from small pocket
• Best Used For: Routing recessed pockets for small valet trays, catch-all dishes, desk organizers, and decorative tray projects
• What’s Included: One 11.75" wide by 7.875" tall tray template and rectangle inlay from the small pocket

Helpful Router Template Guides

Want to learn more about choosing router templates, router bits, and routing techniques? These guides can help you get cleaner, more consistent results with your acrylic woodworking templates.

• Template Guides
• Router Template Guide
• What Router Bit Do I Need?
• Template Routing for Beginners

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this template for cutting out the full tray shape?

This template is intended for routing recessed tray pockets into a wood blank. It is not mainly intended for cutting a full board shape all the way through.

What can I make with the 2 pocket layout?

The 2 pocket layout works well for valet trays, catch-all dishes, jewellery trays, desk organizers, nightstand trays, and compact gift projects. The larger pocket is useful for bigger items, while the smaller pocket works well for coins, keys, watches, or accessories.

How do I attach the acrylic template to the wood?

We recommend using Template Tape. It secures the acrylic template to the wood without needing screws, which helps keep your project blank clean.

What router bit should I use for the recessed tray pockets?

Use a larger pocketing bit to remove most of the material first, then use the recommended tray profiling bit for the inside tray profile. The inside tray profiling bit leaves a 1/8" radius in the tray pockets.

Can I reuse this acrylic woodworking router template?

Yes. The clear acrylic template is reusable, making it a good option for repeat tray projects, handmade gifts, craft shows, and small-batch woodworking products.

What wood should I use for this tray template?

Dimensional hardwood is a great choice for tray projects because it gives you a stable, attractive blank to work from. You can also glue up cutting board strips and accent strips if you want a multi-species look with more colour and contrast.

What finish should I use on the finished tray?

If the project may be used for food-contact or serving-style use, choose a food-safe option like Walrus Oil Cutting Board Oil. For decorative trays, valet trays, desk organizers, and non-food-contact projects, Grand Finishing Hardwax Oil is a great option.

The Rectangle 2 Pocket Valet Tray Template is a practical clear acrylic woodworking router template for turning hardwood blanks into clean, useful tray projects. Pair it with template tape, the proper pocketing and tray profiling bits, quality dimensional wood, and the right finish to create a polished piece for gifts, home use, markets, or small-batch woodworking products.