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Common Ground News

What is an Overglaze decal?

Author

Penelope Carter

Updated on February 18, 2026

What is an Overglaze decal?

The decals are water slide release, which means that the decal is printed on paper that is coated with a water-release adhesive made out of cornstarch.

Also to know is, what are overglaze decals?

The decals are water slide release, which means that the decal is printed on paper that is coated with a water-release adhesive made out of cornstarch. Thoroughly wet the decal in a bowl of warm water until it uncurls – this usually takes 30 seconds to one minute.

Beside above, how do you use pottery decals? Immerse decal in lukewarm water for 20-30 seconds. Slide decal from the backing paper and position on glazed ware. (If decal doesn't slide off easily place it face up on a paper towel for a minute.) Be sure decal is applied to your project face-up; otherwise it will burn completely off.

Similarly, you may ask, what is the difference between underglaze and overglaze decals?

What is the important difference between overglaze and underglaze is when the paint is apllied. In the case of overglaze, you burn the glazing on the porcelain and then paint it. While when using underglaze the paint is applied on the unglazed porcelain and then the glaze is applied over the paint.

How do you fire ceramic decals?

Hold down one edge and gently slide the paper from under the decal, leaving the image on the covercoat only. Warming the ceramic/glass is also helpful. Heat lamps or a hot plate with kiln-furniture to support the ceramic or glass allows for gentle heat- warm to touch. This helps keep the decal flexible.

Are overglaze decals dishwasher safe?

Overglaze/porcelain paint/china paint is composed of ceramic colour plus flux which determines the firing temperature which in this case is around 800. c (cone 015). Soak the waterslide decal in lukewarm water until the backing paper loosens. Decals made with home printers are not dishwasher safe or microwave safe.

How do you make overglaze?

To make an overglaze you need three ingredients: a frit, a colorant, and a medium. The frit is the glass base. An important distinction for overglaze frits is they are milled very fine like talcum powder so they will not seem gritty when used as a paint. Both finely ground white and clear are available.

What temperature is cone10?

CONE TEMPERATURE CHART (FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE NOW WONDERING WHAT CONE MEANS!)
Cone numberOrton Cones Final temp in degrees F at ramp rate of 27 degrees F/hrOrton Cones Final temp in degrees F at ramp rate of 108 degrees F/hr
1022842345
922352300
822122273
721942262

What is the point of underglaze?

Underglazes are used in pottery to create designs and patterns that come up through the glaze covering them. This can give the surface more visual depth and character. Although they are often used under clear glazes, they can also be used under other, generally light-colored, transparent glazes.

Can underglaze be fired to cone 6?

Velvets fire true-to-color as a Cone 05/06 underglaze or fired to Cone 6. Some colors remain true as high as Cone 10. Can be used with or without glaze- Food Safe with proper glaze.

What is an advantage of using underglaze instead of regular Overglaze?

Because underglaze has a much lower glass content than glaze, it can be used for much more detailed decoration. Fine details can be painted onto greenware or bisque ware and it will not run or bleed as much as a colored glaze. Underglaze can lose its pigment if it is fired in the kiln at too high a temperature.

What is bisque fired?

Biscuit (also known as bisque) refers to any pottery that has been fired in a kiln without a ceramic glaze. In situations where two firings are used, the first firing is called the biscuit firing (or "bisque firing"), and the second firing is called the glost firing, or glaze firing if the glaze is fired at that stage.

Can you put underglaze on greenware?

The beauty of underglaze is it can be used on either greenware or bisque-fired clay. That said, it's important to remember that bone-dry clay is one of the most fragile states. One of the advantages of using underglazes is you can mix the colors to create a painterly effect.

What does Overglaze mean in ceramics?

overglaze. / (ˈəʊvəˌɡleɪz) / adjective. (of decoration or colours) applied to porcelain or pottery above the glaze.

What is the sgraffito technique?

Sgraffito, (Italian: “scratchedâ€), in the visual arts, a technique used in painting, pottery, and glass, which consists of putting down a preliminary surface, covering it with another, and then scratching the superficial layer in such a way that the pattern or shape that emerges is of the lower colour.

How do you use Duncan underglaze?

Concepts Underglazes For Bisque - Duncan

Normal use is to apply 1-3 coats on bisque, let dry and cover with two coats of your favorite clear glaze. Use them as Majolica paints on top of unfired non-moving opaque white or light colored glaze. No need to clear glaze as Concepts are shiny when fired.

What is greenware pottery?

Greenware is unfired clay pottery referring to a stage of production when the clay is mostly dry (leather hard) but has not yet been fired in a kiln. Greenware may be in any of the stages of drying: wet, damp, soft leather-hard, leather-hard, stiff leather-hard, dry, and bone dry.

What temperature do you fire ceramic decals?

period" approximately 1000 degrees Farenheit. Many users choose to keep the lid open about an inch as the temperature is gradually increasing. After kiln stops smoking and the inside shows a rosy glow the lid can be closed.

Can you use ceramic decals on wood?

Ceramic decals can be applied to candles, soap, rocks, painted surfaces, wood, metal, plastic, and more. Apply the decal onto the piece as instructed above. Once dry, two or three coats of a clear sealer can be applied for added protection.

What Cone do you use to fire ceramic decals?

These waterslide high temperature decals are used with ceramic and porcelain across a wide temperature range. Once applied, these decals need to be fired in a kiln to CONE 04 to CONE 6 (1920°F to 2340°F / 1050°C to 1280°C). Optimum firing temperature will depend on your glaze.