How to Do Ceramic Slip Trailing

Slip is diluted clay used to help adhere two pieces of clay together or applied to the surface of clay as a decorative element. Slip trailing is the process of decorating a clay item with raised drawing or design. The slip used in slip trailing can be colored for contrast, or the same color as the clay body it is applied to. The thickness and width of the line depends on the device used to trail the slip onto the surface.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Unfired, wet clay object to decorate
• Slip
• Bottle

1. Make or buy slip. To make slip, use the same clay body you are using for the item to be decorated. Add water to the clay and mix until it becomes liquid. Add more water for a thinner slip and less water for a thicker slip. If you buy slip, make sure it is formulated to match your clay body. The slip should be thick enough not to run when placed on a surface, but thin enough to squeeze from a bottle. Add a colorant if desired.

2. Add the slip to a bottle with a small tip. The tip of the bottle will determine the size and width of the trailed slip. Make sure your slip squeezes out of the bottle easily and adjust the water content if it will not exit the bottle to create a nice, smooth line. Ceramic supply stores sell many types of bottles used specifically for slip trailing.

3. Apply the slip to the item you would like to decorate. The item should be made of a compatible clay body, unfired and wet. It is advisable to do drawings on paper to determine your design prior to beginning. You can overlay the drawing onto the ceramic piece and created a slight indentation along the design for a guide for slip trailing.

4. Fire the piece at a heat that is appropriate for the clay body.

Tips & Warnings

• Test the slip and bottle before using on the final piece, try doing drawings to get a feel for the process.
• Make sure the clay body and slip are made to fit one another.

References

• Slip Trailing video demo