Engobes for colored clay surfaces before firing

Engobes for decorating raw clay

Engobes are colored clay slips that you apply to leather-hard or dry clay. That way you decorate the surface before the first firing. In this category you'll find engobes in many shades for school, classes, hobby and studio.

Engobe or glaze, what's the difference?

A glaze forms a glassy layer during firing. An engobe, on the other hand, consists mainly of clay and stays matte after firing. That makes it well suited to painting techniques, layering and carving. With sgraffito, you scratch through the engobe layer so the clay underneath shows. You can also decorate the surface with stamps.

If you want a glossy or sealed surface, coat the engobe with a transparent glaze after the bisque firing and finish the piece in a second firing. Make sure the engobe, clay body and glaze match the same firing range. You'll find engobes for stoneware clay bodies in the Stoneware Engobe category.

• Engobes in many shades, matte and stable in firing
• Application on leather-hard or dry clay
• For painting techniques, layering, sgraffito and stamps
• Combine with transparent glazes in the second firing

Tip: Try a new color on a test piece first. Engobes often look different in their raw state than after firing.