Ceramic Techniques and Terms

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Handbuilding

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A technique of building pots using only hands and simple tools, not the potter's wheel. Handbuilding includes slab, pinch, and coil methods.

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Pinch

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A method of shaping clay by using the thumb and fingers while rotating a ball or other shaped mass of clay.

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Coil

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A technique of building ceramic forms by rolling out cylindrical ropes of clay and joining them together.

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Slab

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Flat pieces made by patting or rolling clay into a flat, even shape like a pancake. A rolling pin and sticks may be used to create an even thickness.

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Slip

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Clay mixed with water to create a thick, creamy material used for joining pieces and sometimes for decorating them.

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Score and Slip

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A method of joining clay pieces by roughening and wetting the surfaces.

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Bone Dry

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Clay that is dry to the touch and ready to move into the first firing. This is the most fragile stage of clay.

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Kiln

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A type of oven used to fire ceramic pieces.

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Bisque

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This is the first firing, which makes the clay porous, permanent, and ready for glaze.

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Glaze

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A glass-like surface coating for ceramics used to decorate and seal the pores of fired clay.

They can be shiny or matte and fired at many different temperatures for different effects.