Ceramics are made in four steps: shaping the clay, drying to a leather-hard state, a first firing (bisque) and finally glazing with a final glaze firing. The small variations along the way are exactly what makes handmade ceramics unique.
From a lump of soft clay to a finished, glazed vase, there's a series of steps where craftsmanship, patience and heat come together. The process is essentially the same, whether it's a small bowl or a large vase. Here we go through the four classic steps in making ceramics.
Step 1: Shaping
First, the soft clay is shaped. This can happen on a potter's wheel, where the clay is centred and drawn up into the desired shape, or entirely by hand, using techniques like coiling or slab building. This is where the object's basic form and expression are established.
Step 2: Drying
The shaped piece must dry slowly so it doesn't crack. Along the way, the clay reaches a leather-hard state, where it can still be worked – edges can be trimmed, handles attached, and the surface smoothed. It then dries out completely and becomes brittle (known as greenware).
Tip: Drying is one of the most critical steps. If it happens too fast, the piece can warp or crack – which is why ceramics are often dried slowly and covered.
Step 3: First firing (bisque)
The dry piece is fired for the first time in a kiln. This bisque firing makes the clay hard and stable, but still porous, so it's easy to glaze afterwards. After bisque firing, the piece is no longer soft and cannot be reshaped.
Step 4: Glazing and glaze firing
Finally, glaze is applied – a layer that, after firing, becomes a glassy, dense surface. The glaze makes the ceramic watertight, easier to clean, and gives it colour and shine. The piece is fired again at a high temperature, where the glaze melts and bonds to the surface.
| Step | What happens | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Shaping | The clay is shaped on a potter's wheel or by hand | Basic form |
| 2. Drying | The piece dries to leather-hard and then fully dry | Ready for firing |
| 3. Biscuit firing | First firing in the kiln | Hard, but porous |
| 4. Glazing | Glaze is applied and fired again | Dense, finished surface |
Why handmade is unique
Because each piece is shaped, dried and glazed individually, there will always be small variations from piece to piece. The glaze can run slightly differently, and the hand's touch leaves its mark. It's precisely these small differences that make handmade ceramics unique – no two pieces are quite alike.
- Small differences in shape and wall thickness.
- Variation in the glaze's colour and surface.
- Traces of craftsmanship that give character and life.
Frequently asked questions
How many times is ceramic fired?
Typically twice: a first biscuit firing, which makes the clay hard, and a glaze firing, where the glaze melts and becomes a dense surface.
What's the difference between biscuit and glazed ceramics?
Biscuit is ceramic after the first firing – hard, but porous and unglazed. Glazed ceramic has a layer of glaze and an extra firing, which makes the surface dense.
Why does ceramic sometimes crack during production?
Cracks are usually caused by drying or firing too quickly or unevenly. That's why ceramics are dried and fired slowly and in a controlled way.
What does leather-hard mean?
Leather-hard is a state during drying where the clay is firm but can still be worked – for example, to attach handles or smooth the surface.
Why is handmade ceramic never quite the same?
Because each piece is shaped and glazed individually, natural small variations occur in shape, colour and surface, which make each piece unique.
Summary
Ceramic comes to life through four steps: shaping the clay, slow drying, a first biscuit firing and a final glazing with a glaze firing. Every step requires care, and the small variations along the way are what make handmade ceramics so personal and unique.
Read also
- What is ceramic?
- Ceramics in the home: why handmade is better
- The difference between ceramic, porcelain and stoneware
See our range of handmade ceramic vases for the home.
