10 Common Glazing Mistakes in Pottery (and How to Avoid Them)

Glazing can make or break your pottery piece. While it’s one of the most exciting parts of the ceramic process, it’s also where many potters—especially beginners—make mistakes. In this post, we’ll explore 10 common pottery glazing mistakes and share expert tips on how to avoid them so your final pieces come out of the kiln beautifully finished.

1. Not Cleaning Your Bisqueware

Mistake: Applying glaze to dusty or greasy bisqueware.
Why it’s bad: Dust or oils prevent the glaze from adhering properly, causing peeling or bald spots.
How to avoid it: Wipe your bisqueware with a damp sponge before glazing. Avoid touching it with oily hands.

2. Applying Glaze Too Thickly

Mistake: Dipping or brushing on heavy layers of glaze.
Why it’s bad: Over-glazing can lead to drips, pinholes, or crawling.
How to avoid it: Aim for 2–3 even coats with a brush, or follow time/dip guidelines if immersing.

3. Uneven Glaze Application

Mistake: Thick on one side, thin on the other.
Why it’s bad: It creates inconsistent texture, colour, and sometimes glaze running.
How to avoid it: Rotate your piece while brushing or dipping. Use consistent brush strokes and let layers dry between coats.

4. Glazing the Bottom or Foot Ring

Mistake: Forgetting to clean off the base.
Why it’s bad: Glaze fuses to kiln shelves—disastrous for your pottery and your kiln!
How to avoid it: Always wax or wipe the foot ring clean before firing.

5. Not Stirring Your Glaze Well

Mistake: Skipping a good stir or shake.
Why it’s bad: Ingredients settle at the bottom, leading to weak or unpredictable results.
How to avoid it: Mix your glaze thoroughly before each use. Stir with a whisk or electric mixer.

6. Poor Drying Time Between Coats

Mistake: Applying glaze too quickly between coats.
Why it’s bad: It can pull off previous layers or cause unevenness.
How to avoid it: Let each coat dry to the touch before applying the next.

7. Using Incompatible Glaze and Clay

Mistake: Pairing a glaze and clay body with different expansion rates.
Why it’s bad: It can cause crazing or shivering (cracking or flaking off).
How to avoid it: Test glaze-clay combinations or consult manufacturer compatibility charts.

8. Skipping Test Tiles

Mistake: Applying a new glaze straight to your favourite piece.
Why it’s bad: You don’t know how it will behave with your clay or firing schedule.
How to avoid it: Always test on a tile or small piece before committing.

9. Overlapping Reactive Glazes

Mistake: Layering glazes that don’t play well together.
Why it’s bad: Some glaze combos can run excessively or create weird textures.
How to avoid it: Test combinations first. Look for glaze charts or community-shared results online.

10. Firing Too Fast or Too Cool

Mistake: Incorrect kiln programming.
Why it’s bad: It can affect how the glaze melts, causing underfiring or running.
How to avoid it: Know your glaze’s cone range and follow recommended firing schedules. Don’t rush the cooling phase.

Final Thoughts:

Glazing is part science, part art—but a lot of it comes down to preparation and mindfulness. By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll produce more consistent, beautiful ceramic pieces with fewer surprises after the kiln. At Happy Hands Pottery & Art Studio we teach different glazing techniques! If you’re interested in your first pottery session come on by and take a class with us!