Spark plasma sintering (SPS) is a field-assisted sintering technique (FAST/SPS) that rapidly consolidates powder materials under pressure. The tooling in SPS is critical, as it must withstand high temperatures and pressures while ensuring uniform temperature distribution in the sintered part. This review discusses the design, optimization, and application of SPS tooling, focusing on materials like graphite, steel, alloys, ceramics, and composites. It also covers add-on elements such as spacers, foils, and thermal insulation. The article explores the basics of SPS modeling, computer-based optimization of tooling, and the challenges of high-pressure and ultra-high-pressure sintering. It concludes with an analysis of the challenges and future prospects for the smart design of SPS tooling. The SPS process combines pressing and sintering in one step, with the tooling being electrically conductive to enable direct Joule heating. The tooling must withstand high temperatures, resist thermal shock, and maintain a low thermal expansion coefficient to ensure safe ejection of the sintered part. The design of SPS tooling includes punches, dies, spacers, and thermal insulation. For simple-shaped parts, the tooling is typically made of graphite, while for complex-shaped parts, specialized designs such as split dies or multipunch systems are used. The article also discusses pressure-free sintering, which is suitable for parts that may deform under pressure. The tooling materials must meet several criteria, including electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, resistance to thermal shock, and mechanical strength. Graphite is the most commonly used material due to its moderate electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity, and ability to withstand high temperatures. However, it is reactive with certain materials and prone to creep at high temperatures. Alternatives such as steels, nickel-based superalloys, and ceramics are also discussed, each with its own advantages and limitations. The article also covers the use of foils, coatings, and thermal insulation to improve the performance of SPS tooling. Graphite foils and coatings help reduce thermal and electrical interactions between the tooling and the sintered material. Thermal insulation, such as graphite felt and carbon fiber-reinforced composites (CFRC), reduces heat loss and improves temperature homogeneity. Spacers are used to separate punches from water-cooled electrodes and influence the temperature gradient. Modeling and optimization of SPS tooling are essential for achieving uniform sintering and efficient production. Finite-element method (FEM) modeling is used to simulate thermal, electrical, and mechanical fields within the SPS setup. This helps in optimizing the tooling design for desired temperature distributions and reducing energy consumption. The accuracy of these models is validated through experimental measurements and comparisons with actual sintering results. The review concludes with an outlook on the future of SPS tooling, emphasizing the need for smart design and proper application to ensure the successSpark plasma sintering (SPS) is a field-assisted sintering technique (FAST/SPS) that rapidly consolidates powder materials under pressure. The tooling in SPS is critical, as it must withstand high temperatures and pressures while ensuring uniform temperature distribution in the sintered part. This review discusses the design, optimization, and application of SPS tooling, focusing on materials like graphite, steel, alloys, ceramics, and composites. It also covers add-on elements such as spacers, foils, and thermal insulation. The article explores the basics of SPS modeling, computer-based optimization of tooling, and the challenges of high-pressure and ultra-high-pressure sintering. It concludes with an analysis of the challenges and future prospects for the smart design of SPS tooling. The SPS process combines pressing and sintering in one step, with the tooling being electrically conductive to enable direct Joule heating. The tooling must withstand high temperatures, resist thermal shock, and maintain a low thermal expansion coefficient to ensure safe ejection of the sintered part. The design of SPS tooling includes punches, dies, spacers, and thermal insulation. For simple-shaped parts, the tooling is typically made of graphite, while for complex-shaped parts, specialized designs such as split dies or multipunch systems are used. The article also discusses pressure-free sintering, which is suitable for parts that may deform under pressure. The tooling materials must meet several criteria, including electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, resistance to thermal shock, and mechanical strength. Graphite is the most commonly used material due to its moderate electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity, and ability to withstand high temperatures. However, it is reactive with certain materials and prone to creep at high temperatures. Alternatives such as steels, nickel-based superalloys, and ceramics are also discussed, each with its own advantages and limitations. The article also covers the use of foils, coatings, and thermal insulation to improve the performance of SPS tooling. Graphite foils and coatings help reduce thermal and electrical interactions between the tooling and the sintered material. Thermal insulation, such as graphite felt and carbon fiber-reinforced composites (CFRC), reduces heat loss and improves temperature homogeneity. Spacers are used to separate punches from water-cooled electrodes and influence the temperature gradient. Modeling and optimization of SPS tooling are essential for achieving uniform sintering and efficient production. Finite-element method (FEM) modeling is used to simulate thermal, electrical, and mechanical fields within the SPS setup. This helps in optimizing the tooling design for desired temperature distributions and reducing energy consumption. The accuracy of these models is validated through experimental measurements and comparisons with actual sintering results. The review concludes with an outlook on the future of SPS tooling, emphasizing the need for smart design and proper application to ensure the success