Making custom dice for D&D takes a fair bit of work, but you can make your own with the right materials and some know-how. So just how easy is it?

While it's hardly necessary to play the game, crafty Dungeons & Dragons players sometimes make their own custom materials - miniatures, props, and even polyhedral dice. Making dice can be particularly cool, as some players like to have specific dice for each character, or simply love collecting pretty D&D dice sets. Unique, interesting, and personalized dice can also make fantastic gifts for other players in one's group.

Making dice takes a fair bit of work and several supplies most players don't have lying about their homes. It's also not guaranteed to work perfectly every time. For these reasons, plenty of online storefronts exist that sell both pre-made dice and commissions for sets. If time, energy, or practical know-how are lacking, this is another fantastic option that often supports small businesses.

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The basics are fairly simple - pouring resin into molds and giving it time to cure - but smaller details can be tricky. Oftentimes, dice-smiths will make their own molds, as well, which adds an additional layer of difficulty. But those who want to learn how to make their own dice for use in D&D or other RPGs, read on!

The materials required for making dice are important:

Additionally, some choose to use a pressure pot for both molds and the actual dice; this can reduce the likelihood of air bubbles forming, which can warp the look of the dice, or worse, make them roll unfairly. There are better ways to use rules to cheat in D&D without using loaded dice!

Mix up the resin, dye, and decorations in a cup. Ideally, there should be an even distribution. Some dice-smiths save a special decoration for the "top" of the die, so that it is closest to the 20-face. Once it's thoroughly mixed, carefully use a pipette to fill the molds with the resin, avoiding any bubbles. The resin should slightly overfill the mold, with excess filling the 'sprue.' If a pressure pot is used, place filled molds into it; otherwise, let it cure in a dry area at room temperature. Once completed, the dice can be unmolded by carefully removing the sprue with a knife. Dice can be polished with fine-grit sandpaper and a dab of water, followed by resin polish, though this isn't always necessary.

Ensuring the balance of dice is also essential. When buying cool custom D&D dice online, this same test can be applied to check for fairness. Mix up enough saltwater to float a die in, and spin each of the dice around. An unbalanced die will tend to result in the same number to the top repeatedly. Otherwise the die is likely balanced - it can be dried off and the numbers can be inked in with acrylic paint, permanent markers, or other methods.

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To make molds by hand, place a spare die each into disposable mixing cup - ideally, with a way to keep the die suspended. An easy solution is hot-gluing small plastic pieces (a smaller, even more disposable d6 works great) to each die as a support beneath it. Pour silicone rubber around the die - not onto it - until it's submerged, and then let it cure. If you have a pressure pot for your resin curing, you can also use it to limit the chance of bubbles in your mold.

Making D&D supplies takes both function and form. Once finished, the end result should be a unique, hand-crafted set of dice. Don't get discouraged if the first attempts are messy, unbalanced, or don't come out as expected - practice makes perfect. With any luck, the next time the party gathers for a game of Dungeons & Dragons, it will be with a shiny new d20 to roll with.

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Petra Jarrett is a contributing writer for games features who joined the site in February 2022. In 2021 she received a Bachelor's of Science in Game Design and has significant experience examining and writing about game systems and experiences. In her spare time, Petra designs Dungeons & Dragons adventures, enjoys hikes, and plays board games with her family.