Using a Plexi Template on the Potters Wheel

Step 4 Compressing

Press down with your first and middle finger into the center of the clay. Continue going down until you feel like the distance between your finger and the bottom is about .5 inches. Then take a needle tool and poke down to double check. Continue to press further if need be. Leave as much clay on the bottom as you think you'll need to trim a foot.

Then pull out from that center point towards 6 o'clock. Use your fingers to compress the clay along the bottom to make sure that there are no air bubbles and the particles are aligned. Don't forget to clean off the slurry here as well with either a rib or a sponge.