Here is how to use ceramic underglaze transfers on plates, mugs, or any other fired ceramics. It’s a nice way to add contrast and patterns to your work.

How to use ceramic underglaze transfers

If you work with fired ceramics and haven’t tried underglaze transfers yet, you are in for a TREAT! I bought these transfers on Etsy, but you can find them other places online as well.

There are different methods – using one pattern on a whole piece, or cutting them up like I did here. you can even fussy cut little motifs and use those one-by-one.

What are ceramic underglaze transfers?

Ceramic underglaze transfers are pre-printed designs made with colored underglazes that can be applied to bisque-fired pottery or greenware to add intricate, layered artwork without hand-painting each detail.

There are different types:

One is like temporary tattoos: The design is printed onto a special transfer paper using ceramic pigments, then soaked in water and slid or pressed onto the clay surface. Once applied and dried, the image bonds with the clay and can be covered with a clear glaze before firing.

These are some of my newsprint ceramic underglaze transfers.

The second type is what I’ve been using: These are made with newsprint. These are a handmade, low-tech method for transferring underglaze designs onto clay. In this process, artists use underglaze—usually from bottles or jars—to paint directly onto thin newsprint or rice paper in reverse (mirror image).

The paper is then carefully pressed, painted-side-down, onto a leather-hard clay surface using a damp sponge or gentle hand pressure. As the paper absorbs the moisture from the clay, the underglaze releases and transfers onto the pottery. Once the paper is peeled away, it leaves a soft, printed effect that feels almost like monoprinting.

This technique is ideal for creating expressive, layered designs and can be used with stamps, stencils, or hand-painted motifs. It’s a popular choice for potters seeking a more artistic, one-of-a-kind look in their surface decoration.

Supplies to make a clay plate and use ceramic underglaze transfers:

Low fire white clay

Rolling pin

Plastic plate to use as a shaper or mold

Needle tool

Ceramic underglaze transfers of choice

Sponge

Water

Directions:

Create the plate from clay

Wedge a ball of low-fire clay to remove air bubbles.

Use a rolling pin or slab roller to roll the clay to about ¼” thickness.

Use a round template (plastic plate or shallow bowl) and a needle tool to cut your plate shape.

Gently compress and smooth edges with a damp sponge or soft rib.

Apply the transfer

Cut your transfers.

You should have a 1/4″ thick circle that you cut earlier.

Make sure the underglaze transfer is face down (double check!) and press onto moist clay surface of the plate.

Rub your fingers, very lightly over the surface to connect it with the clay.

Using a lightly damp sponge to press the underglaze to the surface.

Use a LIGHTLY dampened sponge to press the transfer onto the clay. Don’t make it too wet or it will smear. The underglaze reconstitutes. Make sure the entire are you want to transfer has been touched by the damp sponge, otherwise the underglaze won’t transfer.