A basic division of glazes for pottery is into raw and fritted glazes. The former are a mixture of natural and synthetic substances. A fritted glaze, on the other hand, consists of melted glass.

Underglazes are pottery glazes that do not move during firing. A clear glaze may be applied over them. Overglazes are accent glazes for ceramics and pottery. They are applied over objects that have already been glazed.

Another kind of pottery glaze is the category of crystalline glazes. These are available in powdered form. They are mixed with water. The final glaze depends on how well this mixing is. This glaze should be applied thickly. Crystalline pottery glazes work best on a smooth surface that is preferably of white clay.

Shino glazes are traditional Japanese glazes. They are thick white and made of almost 100 % feldspar. American-shino glazes have descended from these Japanese originals and are available in a variety of colors like white, pink, orange, and red.

How to Apply Glazes

The application of glazes is done in various ways. The glaze may be

Sprayed
Brushed on
Applied by dipping
Through an electrostatic process

Thereafter, the glaze may be fired in either of the two ways: oxidation or reduction. Reduction firing is carried out in the absence of oxygen, in a gas kiln. Oxidation firing is carried out in an electrical kiln.