Dipping vs. Brushing Glaze: Which Method Should You Use?
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There are two common ways to put glaze on bisqueware: brushing it on or dipping the piece into a bucket. Both give great results when done right. Which one is better depends on your piece, your volume, and the look you want.
Brushing glaze
Brush-on glaze is thicker and made to be applied in layers. You paint it onto the piece with a soft brush, usually in about three coats, letting each coat dry before adding the next (see how to glaze bisqueware).
Good for: Detailed work, multiple colors on one piece, small batches, and beginners without a lot of glaze or buckets.
Pros: Control over where glaze goes, easy to use several colors, small amounts needed.
Cons: Slower, more chance of brush streaks or uneven coats, takes practice to get even thickness.
Browse our brush-on glazes and brushes.
Dipping glaze
Dipping glaze is thinner and made to coat a piece in a single quick dip. You hold the piece with tongs or your fingertips, submerge it for a few seconds, lift it out, and let the excess drip off.
Good for: Production work, dishes, mugs, and projects where you want one even, solid color.
Pros: Fast, very even coverage, great for large batches.
Cons: You need enough glaze to submerge the piece, tongs leave small marks that need touching up, and it's harder to do multiple colors. Dipping glaze also needs to be stirred often to stay mixed.
See our clear glazes for dipping options, and our kiln room supplies for tongs and mixing tools.
Don't swap them blindly
Brushing glazes and dipping glazes are not formulated the same way. Using a thick brushing glaze as a dip, or a thin dipping glaze with a brush, can give uneven or thin results. Use the method listed on the product page.
Tips for either method
- Wipe bisque with a damp sponge first (see prepping bisque).
- Keep the foot clean of glaze, or use stilts (see kiln furniture basics).
- Test on a tile before committing to a large piece.
- Fire to the cone on the label (see firing glazed ceramics).
If something goes wrong, check common glaze problems and fixes.