How do I know if a glaze will work with the clay I have?

It's crucial that clay and glazes be matched for firing temperature. Both low- and mid/high-fire clays can bisque at cone 04, but the recommended glaze firing range will be different for each. Glazes need to mature in the recommended glaze firing range for the clay. Fire the glaze too low and it won't mature, too high and it may discolor or flow too much. Fire the clay too low and it won't vitrify enough to be durable, too hot and the clay will soften and distort or may even melt. Also, we always recommend firing test tiles to verify that the glaze is a good "fit" for the clay. Most of the time commercial glazes and clays work together, but it's still possible for them to not have the same rate of expansion and shrinkage, which can result in glaze crazing or shivering.

Can I fire hotter than the glaze states?

Many glazes can fire hotter than the specified firing range, but the glaze will typically flow more, and certain colors may fade, darken, or otherwise change in appearance. Consult the manufacturer's guidelines to determine whether the glaze you have in mind can take a hotter firing and be prepared to fire test tiles to make sure you know what to expect before applying to actual ware.

Can I use a glaze that fires hotter or cooler than my clay is intended for?

This is not a good idea. Firing the clay hotter than the recommended range can destabilize or even melt clay that's meant for lower temperatures. Firing the glaze too low will not provide the heat necessary for it to mature to its expected appearance. The clay and glaze should be matched for firing temperature.

What's the difference between Food Safe and Dinnerware Safe?

"Dinnerware safe" means the glazed surface meets food safety standards when it is properly applied and fired. These glazes have a smooth, durable, and crack-free surface and are suitable for food and utensil use. "Food safe" means the glaze does not contain harmful substances (such as lead or cadmium) and has been tested to ensure it doesn't release toxic materials when in contact with food. It does not meet standards for regular food use. If neither of these standards are mentioned, the glaze should be used for decorative applications only.

Can all glazes be used on dinnerware?

No. Only glazes that state "dinnerware safe" are appropriate for regular food and utensil use. Please verify prior to purchasing that the glaze is acceptable for dinnerware if that is your intended use.

Will the clay body affect the appearance of the fired glaze?

Absolutely. It's always a good idea to fire test tiles with your specific clay to see the results you can expect before applying to your finished piece. The photos on our website will typically only show you the results with a single clay body.

My glaze is not the color I expected out of the jar. Should an Aqua glaze really look red in liquid form?

Ceramic glazes can look very different in liquid form compared to the fired result. Don't be alarmed if the liquid color is quite different.

I don't find the glaze color I'm looking for. Can I mix glazes to get different colors?

Sometimes you can. Look at the product description for the glaze to see if it notes that colors can be mixed. Otherwise, just know that any mixtures will be experimental; yellow+blue may not give you green for example, and take meticulous notes so you can reproduce any favorable outcome.

Ceramic and Pottery Glazes

Shop All Ceramic and Pottery Glazes

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50+ Options
Amaco Potter's Choice Glazes
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Item #: 30446
4.9 out of 5 stars
(1065) number of reviews
Amaco Potter's Choice glazes achieve the effects of Cone 10 reduction without the need for a reduction gas kiln or firing to high temperatures. These ...
100+ Options
Amaco Lead-Free Velvet Underglazes
100+ Options
Item #: 30411
4.8 out of 5 stars
(391) number of reviews
Lead-free Amaco Velvets are opaque underglazes which have the appearance of velvet when left unglazed. When glazed with transparent matte glaze they w...
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Mayco Stoneware Classic Glazes
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Item #: 30588
4.8 out of 5 stars
(401) number of reviews
Mayco Stoneware Classic Glazes offer incredible versatility and ease for potters of all levels. Available in a broad range of finishes, textures, and ...
50+ Options
Mayco Stroke & Coat Glazes and Sets
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Item #: 30408
4.9 out of 5 stars
(313) number of reviews
Mayco Stroke & Coat Glazes is specially formulated for application on bisque, greenware, and even wet clay (see Note below for exceptions). The ready-...
+ 39 Options
Amaco Celadon High-Fire Liquid Glazes
+ 39 Options
Item #: 30489
4.9 out of 5 stars
(480) number of reviews
Amaco Celadon Liquid High Fire Glazes are lead-free, glossy, transparent, and pool beautifully to add vivid accents to textured and carved surfaces. T...
+ 24 Options
Mayco Stoneware Crystal Glazes
+ 24 Options
Item #: 30587
4.8 out of 5 stars
(301) number of reviews
Mayco Stoneware Crystal Glazes offer potters of all skill levels a unique way to create vibrant effects in their stoneware. These easy-to-use glazes c...
+ 48 Options
Blick Essentials Gloss Glazes and Sets
+ 48 Options
Item #: 30482
4.7 out of 5 stars
(222) number of reviews
Bright, true colors that intermix for an infinite palette. Smooth, self-leveling application and consistent firing results, fire after fire. Food safe...
+ 24 Options
Spectrum Floating Glazes
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Item #: 30599
4.9 out of 5 stars
(187) number of reviews
Spectrum Floating Glazes are reactive mid-fire glazes that create glossy, multi-tone, multi-color decorative effects on pottery pieces. When fired, th...
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Mayco Lead-Free Jungle Gems Crystal Glazes and Sets
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Item #: 30400
4.8 out of 5 stars
(191) number of reviews
Mayco Lead-Free Jungle Gems Crystal Glazes contain small pieces of glass frit that transform into splashes of color and patterns when fired, demonstra...
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Mayco Fundamentals Underglazes and Sets
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Item #: 30569
4.8 out of 5 stars
(89) number of reviews
Mayco Fundamentals Underglazes are consistent, versatile, and intermixable. Apply to wet clay, greenware, or Cone 04 bisque with a brush or sponge. Ce...
+ 28 Options
Mayco Stoneware Matte Glazes
+ 28 Options
Item #: 83401
4.7 out of 5 stars
(117) number of reviews
Mayco Stoneware Classic Glazes offer a consistent, user-friendly experience, from application and layering to the firing process. Ideal for creating u...
100+ Options
Speedball Ceramic Underglazes and Sets
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Item #: 30457
4.5 out of 5 stars
(182) number of reviews
Speedball Ceramic Underglazes feature bright and intense colors that are highly saturated for spectacular results. The liquid, opaque colors will not ...
+ 42 Options
Mayco Elements Glazes
+ 42 Options
Item #: 30443
4.8 out of 5 stars
(91) number of reviews
Mayco Elements Glazes were designed to simulate the aesthetic, movement, and interest of mid-range and high fire glazes in a cone 06/05 oxidation kiln...
+ 42 Options
Spectrum Stoneware Glazes
+ 42 Options
Item #: 30597
4.6 out of 5 stars
(130) number of reviews
Spectrum Stoneware Glazes come in a wide range of colors and finishes, including reactive, multi-tone colors, and both glossy and matte finishes. Thes...
+ 12 Options
Amaco Potter's Choice Flux Glazes
+ 12 Options
Item #: 30446
4.9 out of 5 stars
(78) number of reviews
Get endless creative options with Amaco Potter’s Choice Flux Glazes. These fluid, food-safe glazes can be used alone or in combination with other glaz...
+ 37 Options
Amaco Lead-Free LG Series Gloss Glazes
+ 37 Options
Item #: 30413
4.8 out of 5 stars
(82) number of reviews
Amaco Liquid Gloss Glazes feature popular brilliant colors and fire to a smooth, glossy finish at a witness Cone 05. Ideal for enhancing texture, thes...
+ 20 Options
Amaco Satin Matte Lead-Free Glazes
+ 20 Options
Item #: 30494
4.9 out of 5 stars
(81) number of reviews
Amaco Satin Matte Glazes offer a palette of opaque colors that break slightly over edges and texture, with a soft satin feel. Sprayable. Dinnerware sa...
+ 17 Options
Amaco High Fire Glazes
+ 17 Options
Item #: 30440
4.9 out of 5 stars
(69) number of reviews
The Amaco High Fire Glaze series combines the customer favorite Amaco Sahara High Fire Glaze and Amaco Celebration Lead-Free High Fire glaze lines int...
+ 24 Options
Mayco Speckled Stroke & Coat Glazes
+ 24 Options
Item #: 30408
5 out of 5 stars
(40) number of reviews
Mayco's Speckled Stroke & Coat Glazes are an enhanced version of the popular Stroke & Coat Glazes. The addition of small specks of color to the base g...
+ 7 Options
Mayco Stoneware Engobes
+ 7 Options
Item #: 83433
5 out of 5 stars
(52) number of reviews
Get creative with your ceramics pieces by coating them in Mayco Stoneware Engobes! Made with finely ground clay, the slip-like liquid lends an opaque ...
+ 24 Options
Amaco Teacher's Palette Glazes
+ 24 Options
Item #: 30476
4.7 out of 5 stars
(43) number of reviews
Amaco Teacher’s Palette Glazes are one-step, lead-free gloss decorating glazes. In addition to exceptional value, they bring a palette of bold, vibran...
+ 15 Options
Mayco Stoneware Gloss Glazes
+ 15 Options
Item #: 30588
4.9 out of 5 stars
(40) number of reviews
Mayco Stoneware Gloss Glazes are designed for mid-range to high-fire temperatures, in oxidation or reduction firing environments, on a variety of ston...
+ 45 Options
Speedball Mid-Fire Glazes
+ 45 Options
Item #: 83426
4.2 out of 5 stars
(51) number of reviews
Created in collaboration with ceramic artist Nancy Sowder, Speedball Mid-Fire Glaze is available in an array of 30 nature-inspired colors that yield g...
+ 5 Options
Mayco Stoneware Flux Glaze
+ 5 Options
Item #: 83418
4.9 out of 5 stars
(39) number of reviews
Give your wares a unique flowing effect with Mayco Stoneware Flux Glazes. These mid-range glazes interact with other glazes to bring out hidden colors...
+ 2 Options
Mayco Stoneware Zinc Free Clear Glaze
+ 2 Options
Item #: 30588
4.9 out of 5 stars
Specially designed for use over glazes containing chrome-based pigments, Mayco Stoneware Zinc Free Clear Glaze gives your stoneware projects a flawles...
+ 43 Options
Amaco LUG Liquid Underglazes
+ 43 Options
Item #: 30417
4.9 out of 5 stars
(36) number of reviews
These brilliant, ready-to-use colors cover large areas quickly, easily, and smoothly. Amaco LUG Liquid Underglazes are equally good for detailed paint...
+ 13 Options
Laguna Mystic Glazes
+ 13 Options
Item #: 83410
4.8 out of 5 stars
(61) number of reviews
Whether you’re creating practical vessels or unique art pieces, Laguna Mystic Glaze gives your work arresting color and light. Just two coats of this ...
+ 8 Options
Amaco Cosmos Glazes
+ 8 Options
Item #: 83429
4.5 out of 5 stars
(21) number of reviews
Ceramics take on an otherworldly beauty with the celestial allure of Amaco Cosmos Glazes. With every brushstroke, you can summon galaxies of iridescen...
+ 2 Options
Amaco Wax Resist
+ 2 Options
Item #: 32936
4.7 out of 5 stars
(40) number of reviews
Amaco Wax Resist is a wax emulsion that, when applied to greenware, bisqueware, or over unfired glazes, "resists" the application of glazes, slips, an...
+ 46 Options
Botz Pro Glazes
+ 46 Options
Item #: 83425
4.7 out of 5 stars
Create beautiful effects on your earthenware and stoneware with Botz Pro Glazes. These glazes develop a glassy finish when fired at higher temperature...

Frequently Asked Questions

Featured Lesson Plans

Hand It Over!

Combine a hand traced onto clay with a proverb to create a dish imbued with old-fashioned wisdom. Use a simple cut slab and a set of letter stamps add a proverb to a functional ceramic piece. Add an easy-to-make foam stamp and colorful underglazes to make a hand-shaped dish with meaning.

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Bowled Over by Picasso

Picasso viewed the ceramic vessels he painted on as a type of canvas that curved. Make a slump or hump molded bowl, then paint colorful imagery on it's interior using underglazes. Finish with clear glaze.

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Turn It Up!

Make a cell phone amplifier by mixing clay with a little bit of science. A cone shape amplifies existing speakers by confining sound waves and aiming them all in one direction.

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Masterful Mishima

Creating intricate drawings on clay is easy with the help of a little wax. Use colored slips as the base, then cover with wax. A detailed drawing is done with carving tools, removing the wax from the lines. Black slip is brushed onto the wax and settles only into the carved lines.

Learn More