At current prices, that is 75 cents/g! Only half is actual stain powder. Before considering cost, note that the high water content of these is actually a benefit; the thixotropic gel has excellent brushing properties, enabling very thin layering. However, more than one layer is needed to achieve opacity and even color.
Because I am all-in on DIY, the elephant in the room is price. In one scenario, using encapsulated red stain and assuming 50% in my underglaze recipe, I calculated a 1500% saving (assuming the same specific gravity)! But it gets better. I make mine with a higher specific gravity and a much lower stain percentage (e.g. 20%) to get the same result. It goes on in one coat. I also fine-tune the degree-of-melt adjusting the feldspar. And I optimize bisque hardness, and thus overpaintability, by adjusting the clay percentage. With my setup, I can weigh and make a 1-pint jar of underglaze in ten minutes. Another bonus: When I find ways to improve, I edit the notes in its recipe record in insight-live (and adjust the procedure or recipe for next time).
This picture has its own page with more detail, click here to see it.
DIY casting
DIY mixing your own bodies
DIY glazes
CAD
3D printing
Native

This picture has its own page with more detail, click here to see it.
Potters often encounter the problem shown here. These pieces are fired at cone 6. They are decorated with underglazes made from a mix of porcelain powders and stains. The transparent glaze works over certain colors but on others, it is full of microbubbles and pinholes. The potter has not had success finding a transparent overglaze that works consistently. Stain manufacturers do not mix stains with porcelain to making underglazes.
So, although closer control of the transparent glaze thickness or a more fluid melt glaze recipe might help, the real solution may lie with the underglaze recipes used here. An ideal bisque-stage underglaze is sinter-bonded but not sealed (therefore not accepting glaze water). An ideal fired underglaze also has controlled maturity: enough glass development to bond well to the body and promote glaze acceptance, but not so much that edge-bleeding and opacity loss occur. This state of 'controlled maturity' is also more likely to match body thermal expansion. The cost savings and the potential to fine-tune each color to your exact needs can be powerful motivations to use DIY underglazes.
| Glossary |
Underglaze
Understand pottery underglazes: Why they brush differently, how they fire, why clears fail over them, and how to make your own recipes. In technical rather than art language. |
| Glossary |
Brushing Glaze
Hobbyists and increasing numbers of potters use commercial paint-on glazes. It's convenient, there are lots of visual effects. There are also issues compared to dipping glazes. You can also make your own. |
![]() PayPal | No tracking, No ads, No paywall, No transient content! Just organized, concise information constantly updated and improved. Was this helpful? Consider supporting me. |
Buy me a coffee and we can talk