Fun Pottery Glazing Techniques & Tips To Try
Updated on September 29, 2025
One of the great things about ceramic arts is the nearly limitless ways you can express your creativity. Pottery glaze lets you add unique colors and textures to your pieces prior to firing. It is a great way to design a piece that is crafted to your artistic style while also defining how you like your finished ceramic pieces to look.
9 Pottery Glazing Techniques
It’s your time to get creative and try these 9 different pottery glazing techniques
1. Dipping
Dipping is the easiest way to cover pottery and is done by most at some point. This form of glazing will give the finished piece a smooth look and fine texture.
You can either dip your piece into the glaze twice as a base layer before decorating, or, to achieve a more solid look, you can dip the piece more often to create a thicker layer.
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How it works: Submerge your piece into a bucket of glaze for a few seconds.
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Best for: Even coverage and simple, clean finishes.
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Tips: Just a few extra seconds can make a big difference in thickness and color, so watch your time.
2. Dripping or Pouring
Glaze dripping is usually associated with creating decorative detail on a piece, and glaze pouring is done by covering the whole piece with a solid color. By flowing the glaze over the piece that you plan on firing, you are working on the pouring glazing method. As you pour, the piece will absorb some of the glaze, creating an even layer on the interior and exterior of the piece.
With the dripping style, you aren’t trying to cover the entire piece. Once you have a base layer of glaze, you can start to apply the dripping technique to your piece with a squeeze bottle to add decorations or other colors that wouldn’t have been there before.
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How it works: Pour glaze over the piece, often inside bowls or mugs.
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Best for: Glazing interiors without handling wet surfaces.
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Tips: Pour the inside first, then move to the outside. Tilt and rotate the piece to avoid drips.
3. Brushing
Brushing can be used as both a base layer and for decorating. Picking the right brush size is important! Large flat brushes are great for larger pieces, and small, round-tip brushes are better for patterns or designs.
You’ll want to have a good amount of glaze on your brush as you paint to avoid streaks in the glaze on your piece. You also want to take into consideration different brush stroke directions.
For example, if you paint your first layer of glaze horizontally, you’ll want to paint vertically for the next layer and so on.
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How it works: Apply glaze with a brush in multiple coats.
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Best for: Small batches, detail work, or when layering different glazes.
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Tips: Change direction with each coat for even coverage. Use soft, wide brushes that hold a generous amount of glaze.
4. Spraying
Spraying needs an air gun or spray gun to be done properly. A banding wheel is also needed to rotate the pottery while you’re spraying the glaze, since you can’t move the gun around much.
This glazing method is best for laying down a precise base layer that you typically can’t get with pouring, brushing, or other methods. A fun way to work with this method is to spray different color layers!
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How it works: Use a spray gun or airbrush to apply a fine mist of glaze.
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Best for: Gradients, blending, and controlled layering.
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Tips: Practice distance and movement for smooth, even coats.
5. Splattering
If you’re looking for a fun and carefree way to apply your glaze, splattering is the option for you! Dip a stiff brush into your glaze and flick the brush onto your piece. The amount of splatters will be determined by how much glaze you apply to the bristles of your brush.
For smaller splatters, apply a small amount of glaze to the brush; add more for larger effects. It might not look perfect and beautiful at first, but after firing, it will give your piece wonderful texture and a look that is more abstract than a solid color glaze.
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How it works: Load a brush with glaze and flick it onto your piece to create small, scattered drops.
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Best for: Speckled, energetic, or abstract surfaces.
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Tips: Use a stiff brush for finer speckles and a softer one for larger splats.
6. Stippling
Stippling is done when shadow effects are needed or if you want your glaze to have the look of being painted on. To start, apply glaze to the tip of a soft brush and then paint your pottery however you want!
It’s important to remember to only pick up a small amount of glaze each time you need more. If your brush is overloaded, it won’t give you the texture that you’re looking for as you paint.
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How it works: Apply glaze by repeatedly tapping the surface with the tip of a brush, sponge, or applicator to create a pattern of small dots.
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Best for: Adding texture, subtle shading, or decorative detail on top of a base glaze.
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Tips: Layer different colors of stippling for depth and dimension.
7. Sponging
Like stippling, sponging can benefit you if you’re looking to add texture to your piece. Sponges easily soak up your glaze, so you must work quickly if you’re going to use this method. They can be used to create various designs such as flowers, clouds, and more since they can be cut into different shapes and sizes.
There are also many sponge types for you to choose from to create textures as well. Fine-grained sponges help to create intricate patterns, and larger, firm sponges can cover bigger areas. Wet your sponge before applying glaze and also wash it after each use to extend its life.
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How it works: Dip a sponge into glaze and dab it onto the pottery surface.
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Best for: Soft, textured effects or layered color blends.
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Tips: Light dabbing gives subtle textures; heavier dabbing creates bold, raised glaze areas.
8. Glaze Trailing
Glaze trailing is drawing glaze-on-glaze or glaze-on-clay designs. Natural and abstract artwork can be done on ceramic pieces by using this method. To start, you need to have a slip trailer, which is a small squeezable bottle with an aperture tip. All you have to do is fill the tool with glaze and start creating the pattern that you want. Remember, glaze trailing lines rise as they are fired.
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How it works: Apply glaze using a squeeze bottle or applicator to “draw” raised lines or patterns.
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Best for: Decorative detail, texture, and surface interest.
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Tips: Works especially well with contrasting glaze colors.
9. Wax Resist and Glazing
The main purpose of the wax resist technique is to repel glazes and underglazes, so if you apply wax resist to an area, the glaze won’t adhere to it. It’s similar to using wax Crayons when dying Easter eggs. After you apply wax resist to a piece, you can apply the glaze of your choice.
Once the piece is dry, you can wipe it with a cloth or sponge to reveal the pattern that you previously created. This isn’t a forgiving method, so make sure that you know exactly where you want the wax resist to be and how you want it to look before applying.
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How it works: Apply wax to areas you don’t want glazed, then dip or brush your glaze.
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Best for: Creating patterns, leaving bare clay designs, or keeping foot rings clean.
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Tips: Wax can also be used under one glaze to reveal another glaze underneath when it breaks through during firing.
Before you start trying any of these glazing techniques, do your research and follow instructions carefully. To get started, check out this incredible YouTube playlist from Jessica Putnam-Phillips with so much information about the glazing process and different techniques!
Glazing Tips to Get You Started
Glazing is one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking steps in the pottery process. A great glaze finish can transform a simple form into something stunning, but it requires patience, preparation, and practice.
Here are some expert tips to help you refine your glazing process and get results you love, no matter what pottery glazing technique you’re using.
Start With the Right Clay and Glaze Pairing
Your glaze results begin long before you dip the brush. Make sure the glaze you’re using is compatible with the clay you’re using. Mismatched materials can lead to cracks, crazing, or bubbling.
Mix Your Glaze Thoroughly
Poorly mixed glaze can cause streaks and defects. Stir your glaze well, ideally with an electric drill with a mixer attachment. Then, run it through a strainer to get all those lumps and debris out. Finally, remix again for consistency.
While it seems like a lot of extra work, putting in the extra time to mix ensures smoother application and more predictable results.
Practice on Test Tiles
Never risk your best work. Use test tiles to experiment with glaze thickness, layering, and application methods before applying to your favorite pieces. You’ll gain confidence and insights with minimal risk.
Choose the Right Brush
If you’re brushing on glaze, invest in a high-quality brush that holds plenty of glaze. A good brush makes for smoother strokes, better coverage, and fewer streaks.
Keep a Glazing Journal
When it comes to glazing, details matter. We recommend you record everything — glaze names and combinations, application method, number of coats, seconds dipped, and firing results. It may seem tedious, but future you will appreciate it when you can replicate a technique that turned out better than expected.
Learn From Others
If you admire another potter’s work, don’t hesitate to ask how they did it. Most ceramic artists are happy to share their tips and techniques that YouTube videos, classes, and books may not cover.
Prepare Your Pieces & Hands
Glaze won’t stick properly to dusty or oily surfaces. Before glazing, wipe your bisque with a damp sponge to remove dust and let it dry fully. Also, make sure your hands are clean and dry. Lotions, oils, or even sweat can resist glaze and create bare spots.
Glazing Requires Patience & Care
Rushing almost always leads to mistakes. Slow down, take your time, and be intentional with each coat. Apply multiple coats in alternating directions for even coverage. When glazing by pouring or brushing, always glaze the inside of your pot first to avoid accidentally messing up the outside.
Respect the Learning Curve
Glazing is a skill that improves with practice. Don’t be discouraged if you struggle or pieces don’t turn out how you hoped. That’s all part of the process. With time and patience, you’ll develop a style that’s uniquely yours.
Shop Pottery Tools for Easy Glazing
Before thinking about glazing techniques, potters should first prioritize buying high-quality pottery tools and glaze.
Essential Pottery Tools
These tools serve as the foundation for crafting pottery pieces, helping you shape, design, and detail your creations.
By investing in quality tools, you can ensure a smoother creative process and the ability to bring your envisioned designs to life. Shop DiamondCore Tools today!
Glaze
DiamondCore Tools is also happy to offer high-quality glazes from some of the top brands, including:
We're Here to Help
Do you have questions about choosing the right firing methods or glazing techniques for your desired results? We’re here to help! Leave a comment below, email us at info@diamondcoretools.com, or get in touch with our team via social media. We’re on Facebook and Instagram!
Looking to try other pottery techniques? Shop our clay carving tools to practice carving techniques, along with these glazing techniques!
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