Powdered Glazes

Powdered Glazes for Pottery & Ceramic Glaze Mixing

Powdered glazes are pottery glaze powders that are mixed with water before use, giving potters and studios control over the final working consistency. They are a practical choice for ceramic glaze application by dipping, spraying or adjusting batches for different biscuit surfaces.

This category is for powdered ceramic glazes rather than ready-mixed brush-on glazes or raw colourants. Use the guidance below as a starting point, then adjust carefully to suit your glaze, application method, biscuit porosity and studio process.

Water Ratios for Mixing Powdered Glazes

Lead-Free Glazes

Spraying – 50% water
Dipping – 60% water
Dipping porous biscuit – 75% water

Lead-Containing Glazes

Spraying – 45% water
Dipping – 50% water
Dipping porous biscuit – 65% water

Note: These ratios apply to powdered glazes, not oxides.

To mix a powdered glaze, slowly add the ceramic glaze powder into the water while mixing with a drill or mixer. Always wear a dust mask and gloves, and keep blending until the mixture is smooth with no lumps sticking to the sides or bottom of the vessel.

If a thicker glaze is needed, a small amount of binder or calcium chloride can be added at the mixing stage. Once mixed, sieve the glaze before use to help create an even finish.

Sieving & Storing Mixed Glaze

For most powdered glazes, use an 80s, 100s or 120s mesh sieve.
For reactive glazes, use a 40s or 60s mesh sieve so the reactive materials are not filtered out.
Store prepared glaze in a clean, dry environment.
Glaze solids will settle over time, so stir thoroughly before every use.

For related glaze colour materials, browse the oxides section separately. For more help with glaze preparation and application, use the glaze technical support page.

Read Glaze Technical Support View Oxides & Colourants