The advancement of extrusion-based clay 3D printing has sparked a wave of artistic exploration in ceramics. Emerging techniques and tools have empowered designers to evolve beyond creators, taking on roles as innovators in material science, manufacturing processes, and human-machine collaboration. However, mainstream slicing software primarily caters to engineering and manufacturing needs, restricting designers’ creative freedom with its rigid layer-by-layer slicing approach. This study examines the role of designers in clay 3D printing and introduces a novel design tool that seamlessly integrates craftsmanship with digital fabrication. By conducting expert user interviews, the study identifies key challenges faced by practitioners and develops a comprehensive design-to-manufacturing workflow. This workflow is implemented via a digital plugin for modeling, slicing, and G-code generation, providing designers with a flexible and efficient solution to bridge the gap between traditional craftsmanship and digital fabrication.