Botz Unidekor 4004 Schwarz – universal underglaze colour, 30 ml

Botz Unidekor 4004 Schwarz – liquid decorating colour for ceramics and porcelain

Botz Unidekor 4004 Schwarz is a liquid universal decorating colour in black for painting ceramics and porcelain. It is suitable for underglaze and overglaze techniques, porcelain painting, majolica and relief work. The firing range of 1000 to 1250 °C covers earthenware, stoneware and porcelain, so you can work in several techniques with a single colour. According to Botz, the colour is exempt from hazard labelling, meaning it is lead-free and contains no hazardous substances in concentrations requiring labelling.

Black is good for outlines, lettering and strong areas of colour. Mixed with 4009 Weiß, it gives shades of grey. All Botz Unidekor colours can be mixed with one another. Undiluted, the colour can also be applied with an airbrush.

Working with Unidekor

Stir the colour well before use and apply it with a brush. For underglaze, paint on bisque-fired ceramics, apply a thin coat of clear glaze over the top and fire at approx. 1050 °C. On porcelain, do not apply the colour too thinly and fire at 1200 °C or above. Alternatively, cover it with a clear glaze and fire at approx. 1080 °C. If you also apply a clear glaze over the dried colour with a soft brush, the colours look glossier. For the in-glaze technique ("glaze+paint"), paint onto the dry glaze. According to Botz, the colours look matt and less vivid before firing and only show their full intensity after firing.

Firing and choosing colours

On stoneware, Unidekor becomes very intense at temperatures above 1220 °C. Black is not one of the colours that lose intensity at these temperatures. If you need colour transitions or pastel shades, mix black with other Unidekor colours, for example 4009 Weiß for grey. A test tile made with your own clay and firing temperature shows you in advance how the colour will fire.

Botz Unidekor 4004 Schwarz product details

• Manufacturer: Botz, Unidekor series
• Colour: 4004 Schwarz
• Contents: 30 ml
• Firing range: 1000–1250 °C
• Finish: glossy, opaque, plain colour
• Techniques: underglaze, overglaze, porcelain painting, majolica, relief
• Can be mixed with all Unidekor colours; suitable for airbrush when undiluted
• Exempt from hazard labelling (according to Botz)
• Origin: Made in Germany

You will also need: soft brush; clear glaze for extra gloss