What Is A Glaze?

Colour line manufactures such as Duncan, Mayco and Gare have huge colour lines. These colour lines have various categories of fired and non-fired products. We have been receiving numerous calls daily wanting more information on other categories of glazes versus the Concepts, Stroke & Coats and Fun Strokes. We will start by explaining “glazes”.

Glazes are the protective coating that makes ceramics safe and useful. Without the fired surfaces, the ware would not be able to hold water or be safe for food. Glazes are bottled in 4 oz., pints and some in gallons and 5-gallon containers. There are various types of glaze categories and how to apply the glaze.

Choosing A Glaze
There are some terms that the consumer needs to know when choosing a glaze. These terms let the user know the characteristics of the glaze whether it is shiny or dull, transparent or opaque, safe to use on utility items or for decorative items only.

Reading The Label
Reading the label is the best way to insure that you have selected the correct product for your technique and piece. The jar label should be read each time that you use the product. The label has the most up-to-date information concerning your safety and that of the piece you produce.

How to determine the glaze look
The following terms will help you understand the labels more clearly and will allow you to make the best choice of products for great looking results:

Gloss – Shiny and smooth, bright high gloss and highly reflective surface
Satin – Not really shiny, but not dull either. Think of an eggshell of a satiny sheen.
Matte – the opposite of gloss. This surface is duller and satin reflecting little shine.
Dead Matte – even duller than a matte. This surface reflects no light.
Opacity – Refers to the transparency of the glaze. Some glazes are so transparent that it’s like placing a clear piece of glass on top of the ware. These clear glazes can act like a magnifying glass on top of the ceramic surface or on top of underglaze. Some glaze colours are nearly opaque and others totally so.

Codes and definitions for the opacity of glazes
C: Clear – the glaze is completely clear adding only a shiny web look
T: Transparent – the colour underneath is slightly tinted by the overlying glaze changing the appearance only a little.
ST: Semi-transparent – the underglaze beneath these are identifiable, but are changed by the tone of the glaze over them
SO: Semi-opaque – light underglaze colors will not show through and dark colors will be muted
O: Opaque – most colours will not show through

All of the colour lines, Mayco, Gare and Duncan have numerous categories of paint (unfired), glazes, underglazes and specialty glazes. They also sell these products in various sizes. Did you realize all these numerous colours are available in Paper Colour Brochures? When you view these brochures, you really understand the scope of our business and where it can lead.

For more online information on the above glaze lines, please click here!