How to dip glaze pottery

Dipping is a common technique for glazing large numbers of pieces, or when you want a solid coating of glaze for your work. In this video, our own Sean Tessandori shows us how to dip-glaze a cup.

If you’re planning to keep some parts free from glaze, such as the bottom, or design elements that you want to emphasize, brush on wax resist to create a protective coat (you can watch a video on how to apply wax resist here).

Some tips: make sure you have mixed your glaze well; you want to get all the little bubbles out before you dip your pottery in the glaze. Slowly stirring your glaze will help prevent bubbles.

Use tongs to dip your pottery in the glaze, making sure you place them in the most solid and secure area of your pottery. Be sure to clamp down firmly but gently with the tongs, since you don’t want to crack (or even break) your piece. When dipping, place it in the glaze container carefully—like a ladle or soup spoon—while being careful not to hit the sides. The amount of time you hold your piece under the glaze will dictate the thickness of the glaze. It is recommended to count to three before pulling the piece out and shaking off the excess. You may need to adjust this time to achieve your desired result.

In this video, Sean is using a cup made from SPS Seattle Freeze mid-range porcelain and SPS Light Blue Mottled Glaze.