Minnesota Clay Glazes

Minnesota Clay Glazes & Underglazes
Minnesota Clay Co. USA's glazes and underglazes have been formulated for over 60 years for use on clay bodies of corresponding temperature range, while offering a wide range of color surface qualities. All glazes are lead-free. Glazes are sold wet or dry, with suspension and binding agents added where needed. They are formulated for an oxidation atmosphere, although some stoneware glazes may yield favorable results in reduction. We also offer a line of economically priced underglazes good for school or production use. Minnesota Clay also offers a line of unique specialty products. We have Potter’s Pads which are stamping ink pads, Potter’s Slip to do slip trailing, Potter’s Pen which is an underglaze pen, Choxils which are underglaze chalk, Graffi to which is a carbon paper that allows you to transfer images to your pieces, and finally, Rainbow Air-Dry clay which works especially well for grade school students. We do believe and recommend that you test all clay bodies to insure desired results.

Earthenware Glazes	Stoneware Glazes	Underglazes	Supplemental Information
Cone 06-04	Cone 5-9	Cone 06-9	Info on Glaze Application

Minnesota Clay Earthenware Glazes

G Series

G Series opaque gloss glazes fire from cone 06 to 04 and are leadless.

Opacity is the property of being opacified, or the degree to which a glaze is non-transparent. Opacity is achieved by the deflection of light, either by the suspension of vey fine bubbles or particles in the glaze, or by the formation of crystals in the glaze.

T Series

T Series transparent gloss glazes fire from cone 06 to 04 and are leadless.

Transaprent glazes are simply a clear glass, which allow slip or underglaze decoration to be seen. Small quantities of colour may be added to the basic recipe to give a coloured transparent glaze, such as those found in our T-Series glazes, and these are very suitable for textured surfaces or pieces with carved detail.

M Series

M Series matte glazes fire from cone 06 to 04 and are leadless.

Matte describes a particular glaze surface which is non-glossy, dry-looking, and feels somewhat rough to the touch. Matte surfaces include semi-matte, which is just slightly drier and rougher than semi-gloss glazes, matte, and stony matte, which is very rough and almost granular in feel and visual texture. Matt glazes are made up of tiny crystals which form in the glass. The smaller the crystals, the smoother the glaze. Vellum or Satin Matts are the smoothest. Matt glazes are highly suitable for sculptural work, and generally not recommended to come in contact with food.

Minnesota Clay Stoneware Glazes

HG Series

HG Series glazes are leadless, opaque and should be fired from cone 5-8. *HG4 should be fired cone 4-5.*

BT Series

BT Series glazes are leadless, transparent and glossy. Should be fired from cone 6-9.

Transaprent glazes are simply a clear glass, which allow slip or underglaze decoration to be seen. Small quantities of colour may be added to the basic recipe to give a coloured transparent glaze, such as those found in our BT-Series glazes, and these are very suitable for textured surfaces or pieces with carved detail.

SG Series

SG are leadless, flowing glazes and should be fired from cone 5-8.

Slip glazes are glazes with slip or clay contributing the primary flux which provides flowing textures, great for overlapping glazes.

NG Series

We are proud to have released 18 new high fire glazes, over the last few years. At this time the following glazes are for decorative purposes only; At this time the following glazes are for decorative purposes only; NG1 Midas' Touch, NG5 Blue Jean, NG9 Caribbean Green NG15 Mint Texture and NG16 Metallic Black.

HM Series

HM Series glazes are leadless, have a matt finish and are opaque. Should be fired from cone 6-9.

Minnesota Clay Underglazes

Underglazes

19 economically priced colors for school and production use. All colors fire cone 06-9 except Rose which only fires up to cone 4.

Underglazes are used in pottery to create designs and patterns that will come up through the glaze covering them, which can give the surface more visual depth and character. Although they are often used under clear glazes, they can also be used under other, generally light colored, transparent glazes. But, what are "underglazes"? There are different types, and they can be confusing. "Underglaze" as a term can mean any decoration that is applied, almost always in a fluid form, on the pottery surface before any glaze is applied. In this blanket sense, underglazes can encompass slips, engobes, and stains, as well as products that are marketed as underglazes.

Supplemental Glaze Information

Dipping Glazes 101

An article that gives you helpful hints on dipping all types of pieces.

Earthenware Glazes

Additional information about mixing and characteristics of our earthenware glazes.

Stoneware Glazes

Additional information about mixing and characteristics of our stoneware glazes.

Material Safety Data Sheets

Special Mixes
Minnesota Clay has been mixing both wet and dry glazes for customer for 50 years. Our experienced staff will custom mix glaze per your recipe. Please call Customer Service for pricing and scheduling.

Why should we glaze our pots?
Historically, most pottery was glazed to increase its function. Glazing provides a hard, water tight, scratch resistant, and sanitary surface. In addition, a properly formulated glaze also strengthens a piece of ware. Glazing gives us more control over the aesthetics of our pieces. We can decide color, surface, and any decorative elements we want to add to our work. Glazes can produce a variety of surface finishes, including degrees of gloss and matte, variegation and finished color. Glazes may also enhance an underlying design or texture which may be either the "natural" texture of the clay or an inscribed, carved or painted design. Finally, keep in mind that we don't have to glaze our pots. Raw clay can be quite beautiful, and it can be decorated in many ways that don't require glaze.

Minnesota Clay Glazes & Underglazes