Smithing Table is crafted from four planks of any wood type and two iron ingots in the standard 2-and-4 pattern. Since the Trails & Tales update (1.20), the device's role expanded significantly. Originally just a simple netherite-upgrade station, it now requires three slots: a smithing template (smithing trim or netherite upgrade), the base item (such as a diamond chestplate), and the upgrade ingredient (a netherite ingot or specific decorative material).

For netherite upgrades the cost is one Netherite Upgrade Smithing Template (looted from bastion remnants) plus one netherite ingot per item — and templates are not consumed when used in the device but copied via diamonds plus the source biome material. For armour trims, the templates are sourced from various structures and apply decorative patterns to armour pieces using any ingot or gem as the colour. The block also serves as the workstation of the toolsmith villager profession.