How to Paint a Ceramic Plate

Paint a ceramic plate for imaginative dinnerware.

Because ceramic plates come in a variety of colors, styles, patterns and designs, they are popular dinnerware choices for many people. Bring some imagination and ingenuity to the table with hand-painted ceramic plates. Start with a basic white ceramic plate and imagine the different ways you can add personality and individuality to it. Make an entire set of painted ceramic plates, with each plate being similar, yet not exactly the same. Experiment with the many different ways you can paint a ceramic plate for a crafting project that will produce stunning plates you will use often.

Things You'll Need

• Cloth
• Pencil
• Ceramic paint (non-toxic)
• Paint palette
• Paintbrushes
• Small cup
• Paper towels
• Oven

Instructions

1. Prepare the ceramic plates for painting. Remove any surface dust with a damp cloth. Allow the plates to dry completely.

2. Decide what design you will paint onto the plates. Make it abstract or plan to paint specific objects onto the plates (such as flowers or fruits). Draw faint outlines of the objects with a pencil, if you desire.

3. Place small dollops of ceramic paint onto the paint palette. Fill a small cup with water for rinsing your paintbrush, and place two to three paper towels near your work area for blotting your paintbrush after rinsing it in the water.

4. Paint your design or objects onto the plate with a paintbrush. Rinse and dry the paintbrush completely if you change paint colors. Continue painting until you have created the entire design or painting on the plate.

5. Allow the paint to dry completely. Consult the paint label for a specific drying time.

6. Apply a second coat of paint after the first coat dries. A sealant or glaze is unnecessary because you will be baking the plate in the oven to cure it.

7. Consult the paint label for curing instructions. Preheat the oven to the recommended temperature and place the painted ceramic plates in the oven. Bake the plates for the recommended time and then remove them. When the ceramic plates come out of the oven, they will have a shiny glaze.

8. Allow the plates to cool completely before using them. Wash the plates either by hand or in the dishwasher, if the paint is dishwasher safe. Consult the paint manufacturer's recommendations for specific washing instructions.

References

• University of Washington: Materials Science and Engineering Education: Ceramics
• A Big Slice: Handpainted Plates