How to Pour a Plaster Mold for Ceramics

Many people are not aware of the time and work that goes into to creating a beautiful ceramic piece. Ceramic items start with a plaster mold and the ability to know what to do next to create a piece of greenware that will eventually become a lovely piece of ceramic.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ceramic Mold
• Rubber bands or mold strap
• Ceramic slip (liquid clay)
• Small cutting tool
• Pouring table or large bucket/container
• Plastic stirring object

1. Open ceramic mold and clean with soft brush to remove any dust.

2. Close mold tightly together with bands or mold strap

3. Set mold upright where pour hole is on top position.

4. Stir ceramic slip well, and then slowly pour in mold, making sure no air bubbles are present.

5. Add slip to mold every few minutes, as it will absorb water from slip into the plaster of the mold.

6. When slip forms an approximate nickel thickness (thickness varies upon size of item), then pour the remainder of the slip, slowly out of the mold into a bucket or pouring table.

7. Time for item to be left in mold before mold is opened, all depends on the size of the item. Please use your discretion of when you feel that the mold will open easily without separating the leather firm greenware piece.

8. Open mold carefully and once the item is out, set it in a safe place and allow to dry overnight.

[harvard]

on 8/6/2009 I've always wanted to try this but I never had a clue. Thanks to you I now have the formula! Thank you.

[kaldrich88]

on 7/29/2009 How to Pour a Plaster Mold for Ceramics was such a helpful article! thanks :o) 5*