The basics of glazing

Glazing your hand made ceramic piece will make it stronger, add colour and/or decorations, a shine (or matte finish) and most importantly: usable. 

Choosing your glaze

Glazes come in many types and finishes — glossy, matte or transparent. Choose one that complements your form and clay body. Make sure the glaze is labelled 'food safe' if you're using it on items like tableware.

Application methods

You can brush, dip, pour or spray glaze. I personally think brushing is great for beginners and more detailed work. Dipping gives even coverage but requires a large amount of glaze - and some experience. Pouring works well for the inside of vases or bigger pieces.

Different decoration options

There's many ways you can truly make your ceramic creations your own, glaze has the power to transform the most basic cup in the most interesting piece. To make that happen you can use different methods:

You can layer glazes for interesting effects, the glazes will interact with each other during the firing process and create stunning colors, textures and patterns. Just be careful, some combinations run more than others. 

A popular method is using underglaze, they are ceramic colors applied to the surface of a piece before it's coated with a clear glaze. It allow for precise decoration — like painting, drawing, or stenciling — and stay in place without moving during the firing process. This makes them ideal for illustrations or even paintings on your pieces.

Another technique is using engobe, which is similar to slip (a mixture of clay and water) but often includes pigments. Engobes can be applied to leather-hard clay and used to create contrasting surfaces, patterns, or even textures. They tend to bond better to the surface than glazes and offer a more matte or earthy finish, depending on how they're fired.

Oxides are raw materials that can be applied directly to the ceramic surface of your bisque ware pieces. Common oxides include iron oxide (which gives browns and reds), cobalt oxide (blue), and copper oxide (green to red). They create a wide range of effects depending on the firing atmosphere (oxidation or reduction) and the glaze composition. Used carefully, oxides can produce rich, natural-looking hues and enhance surface textures.

Pigments or stains are manufactured colorants that offer more predictable and consistent results than raw oxides. They’re typically made by combining oxides with stabilizers and firing them at high temperatures. Pigments can be used directly in your clay or in underglazes, glazes, slips, or even directly painted onto the bisque ware. They come in a wide range of vibrant colors.

Different Effects

By combining these materials and techniques, you can achieve a variety of visual effects:

Layering glazes: Creates dynamic, flowing surfaces with depth and color shifts.

Wax resist techniques: Using wax or paper tape to block off areas during application, resulting in sharp edges or protected designs. Great for graphic patterns for example!

Oxide washes: Brushed or sponged on to highlight textures and create antique or rustic finishes.

Sgraffito with underglaze or engobe: Carving through a colored layer to reveal the clay body underneath, adding linework and contrast.

Mishima: Incising lines and filling them with colored slip or underglaze, then scraping back the surface.

Important for glazing pottery

Never let glaze touch the bottom of your piece — it’ll stick to the kiln shelf. Use wax resist on the base or wipe it clean after glazing.

Test First: Always test new glazes on small test tiles to see how they behave. Glazes can look very different after firing.

Always wear a mask while working with powdered glazes. These glazes are toxic when inhaled and will damage your health if exposed to it often. 

The glazing process goes beyond just a decorative process, it's science and learning how to glaze will come with a lot of trial and error. Different glazes will behave differently on different clay bodies and firing temperatures. I recommend to keep notes and don’t be afraid to experiment! You can always use our printable glaze sheets to easily record the process.