Rainbow Router Template (Clear Acrylic)

Rainbow Inlay Router Template - Clear Acrylic Woodworking Template

Create clean, repeatable rainbow-shaped inlays in your woodworking projects with this clear acrylic inlay router template. The Rainbow Inlay Template is designed for routing a recessed pocket into wood, which can then be filled with epoxy, coloured pigment, or left as a routed design detail. It is a great fit for signs, charcuterie boards, cutting boards, nursery decor, kids’ room projects, wall art, colourful serving boards, and custom woodworking gifts.

The clear acrylic makes it easier to position the rainbow profile before routing. Because this is a larger inlay template, the transparent material is helpful for centring the design, lining it up with the grain, placing it on a sign layout, or making sure the rainbow sits exactly where you want it before you commit to routing.

What You Can Make With This Template

• Rainbow-shaped epoxy inlays in signs, cutting boards, and serving boards
• Colourful charcuterie boards and live edge serving pieces
• Nursery decor, kids’ room signs, wall art, and custom name boards
• Decorative inlays for trays, plaques, small slabs, and gift projects
• Multi-colour epoxy-filled rainbow designs using Beaver Dust Pigments
• Repeatable rainbow inlays for small-batch woodworking products

Why Use a Clear Acrylic Rainbow Inlay Template?

• Designed for recessed inlays: This template is made for routing a rainbow-shaped pocket into the surface of your wood, not for cutting out the full outside shape of a board.
• Clear for accurate placement: The transparent acrylic lets you see the wood underneath so you can position the rainbow design exactly where it works best.
• Great for epoxy and pigment: The rainbow shape is a natural fit for coloured epoxy, allowing you to create a bright, playful, or high-contrast inlay.
• Reusable for repeat work: Made from 1/4" thick acrylic, this template can be used again and again when handled and stored properly.
• Ideal for signs and decor: The larger rainbow profile works well as a main design feature on signs, nursery pieces, wall art, and custom gift projects.

Recommended Products to Use With This Template

• Template Tape - Use this to secure the acrylic template to your wood before routing.
• Pocketing Bit - Use this bit to remove material efficiently in larger open areas of the inlay pocket when the shape and layout allow.
• Small Detail Pocketing Bit - Use this bit for the curved rainbow bands, tighter areas, and finer details in the profile.
• Dimensional Wood - A great option for signs, cutting boards, serving boards, trays, and smaller inlay projects.
• Live Edge Wood - A natural fit for charcuterie boards, serving boards, and decorative epoxy inlay projects.
• EcoPoxy UVPoxy - A good epoxy option for filling shallow routed inlays up to 1/4" deep.
• Beaver Dust Pigments - Add colour, shimmer, or contrast to your epoxy-filled rainbow inlay.
• Walrus Oil Cutting Board Oil - A good finish choice for food-contact cutting boards and serving boards.
• Grand Finishing Hardwax Oil - A great finish option for decorative, non-food-contact projects like wall art, shelves, hallway tables, and end tables.

How to Use This Rainbow Inlay Template

1. Choose your wood: Start with a flat, stable board. Dimensional lumber works well for signs, cutting boards, serving boards, trays, and decor, while live edge wood is a great choice for charcuterie boards and decorative epoxy inlay projects.
2. Position the template: Place the clear acrylic template on your wood and adjust it until the rainbow profile lines up with the grain, board shape, live edge, sign layout, or overall project design.
3. Secure with template tape: Apply template tape to the back of the acrylic template and press it firmly onto the wood so it does not shift while routing.
4. Route the inlay pocket: Use the small detail pocketing bit for the curved rainbow bands and tighter areas. For any larger open areas, the larger pocketing bit can help remove material more efficiently when appropriate.
5. Check the pocket before filling: Remove dust and make sure the routed areas are clean before adding epoxy. This is especially important if you plan to use multiple colours.
6. Fill the inlay if desired: Mix epoxy with your chosen pigments and pour it into the routed pocket. You can use classic rainbow colours, soft nursery colours, pearl tones, metallic pigments, or a simple single-colour fill depending on the project.
7. Sand flush: Once the epoxy has fully cured, sand the surface until the inlay is smooth and level with the surrounding wood.
8. Apply your finish: Use Walrus Oil Cutting Board Oil for food-contact boards, or Grand Finishing Hardwax Oil for decorative and non-food-contact projects.

Watch How Our Inlay Templates Are Used

Template Details

• Design: Rainbow Inlay Template
• Rainbow profile size: Approximately 10" long by 5" tall
• Template size: 11.75" wide by 7.875" tall
• Material: 1/4" thick clear acrylic
• Template SKU: 04-011
• Use: Routing recessed inlay pockets in wood

Helpful Router Template Guides

• Template Guides - Browse our main resource hub for woodworking template tips, techniques, and project ideas.
• Router Template Guide - Learn how router templates work and how to use them more confidently in your shop.
• What Router Bit Do I Need? - Understand which router bits are best suited for different template routing jobs.
• Template Routing for Beginners - A helpful starting point if you are new to using acrylic router templates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this rainbow template for cutting out the full shape of a board?
No. This is an inlay template designed for routing a recessed rainbow-shaped pocket into the surface of your wood. It is not intended for cutting the full outside shape of a board.

Can I fill the rainbow inlay with epoxy?
Yes. After routing the pocket, you can fill it with epoxy and pigment to create a coloured rainbow inlay. Once the epoxy cures, sand it flush with the wood surface.

Can I use multiple epoxy colours with this rainbow template?
Yes. A rainbow design is a great candidate for multiple pigment colours. Work carefully and make sure each routed area is clean before filling so the colours stay as controlled as possible.

Which router bit should I use with this template?
The small detail pocketing bit is useful for the curved rainbow bands and tighter areas. The larger pocketing bit can be used to remove material more efficiently in larger areas when the layout allows.

How do I keep the template from moving while routing?
Use template tape to secure the clear acrylic template to your wood. Make sure the surface is clean and flat, then press the template firmly in place before routing.

Can this acrylic rainbow template be reused?
Yes. The template is made from 1/4" thick acrylic and is designed for repeated use. Store it flat and avoid damaging the template edges so it stays accurate for future projects.

What types of projects work well with a rainbow inlay?
Rainbow inlays work well on signs, charcuterie boards, cutting boards, serving trays, nursery decor, kids’ room signs, wall art, live edge boards, and colourful custom gifts.

What finish should I use after sanding the inlay flush?
For cutting boards and other food-contact projects, use Walrus Oil Cutting Board Oil. For decorative or non-food-contact projects, Grand Finishing Hardwax Oil is a great option.

The Rainbow Inlay Router Template is a practical way to add a bright, playful, and highly customizable design detail to woodworking and epoxy projects. Secure the template, route the recessed pocket, fill it with epoxy and pigment if desired, sand it flush, and finish your piece for a clean, repeatable result.