A deep look at AMACO glaze series: what they are like, and which one is best for Mid-Fire (Cone 5–6) firing.

Choosing a glaze for your ceramic work is one of the most crucial steps. Besides determining the color and texture of the workpiece, the glaze also most clearly reflects the owner's identity.

And when talking about the world's most popular Mid-Fire (Cone 5–6) coating brands, AMACO 's name is always mentioned, thanks to its unwavering quality, predictable colors, and diverse series that cater to both artistic and practical applications.

Today, Pottery Clay will take you through the four main series of AMACO Mid-Fire , along with tips on how to use and choose the right clay to make your creations beautiful, complete, and unique.

Velvet Underglazes (V)  Undercoat paint for drawing and detailing. It has outstanding properties of vibrant color, does not flow. Can be used from Cone 05 to Cone 10. Gives a matte velvety texture when not coated with clear. Suitable for line drawing , Sgraffito , Mishima , and clay printing.

The trick to achieving the desired results is to apply 3 coats for a solid color, or 1–2 coats for a watercolor effect. For a glossy, food-safe finish , apply a clear coat of AMACO HF-9, HF-10 , or C-11.

Velvet Underglazes can be used with all types of clay, especially white clays, for extremely vibrant colors and a matte or shiny velvet finish when glazed.

Potter's Choice (PC) glaze creates an effect, giving intricate colors and patterns similar to Reduction work. The color changes shades according to the thickness of the coating. It gives a shiny, smooth finish and is food safe because most are Food Safe. It is suitable for making cups, plates, and vases.

The trick to achieving the desired results is to apply 2–3 coats, especially for effect colors like PC-20 Blue Rutile or PC-31 Oatmeal , and you can even mix and match the two colors to create new, unique effects.

Clays best suited to use with Potter's Choice are stoneware and porcelain clays that are smooth and compact, giving a glossy, dimensional finish with natural shades of light and shadow.

Satin Matte (SM) is a smooth, soft coating that provides a semi-matte finish but is still smooth and fine. The color remains consistent. It is easy to use and safe for all shades of food. It is suitable for making pieces for use on the dining table. Before each use, don't forget to shake the bottle to mix the coating because it is quite thick. Then apply 2-3 layers to make the surface smooth and free of brush marks.

This series of glazes is most suitable for stoneware and porcelain, as the glaze texture is particularly pronounced, giving a “warm and luxurious” feeling.

Celadon (C) is a clear, colored glaze that emphasizes the surface texture and pattern of the clay. Its outstanding feature is the clear, translucent glaze with a variety of shades. It emphasizes the surface texture and the lines of the workpiece very well. It is shiny and safe for food, making it suitable for carving and sculpting that requires the surface texture to be shown.

When applying, apply 2–3 coats to achieve a balanced and even shade throughout the piece, especially when paired with dark or light grey clays, which will create depth and dimension. It is therefore ideal for use with dark stoneware clays to reveal a translucent, dimensional finish and show off the clay's patterns and textures.

While each AMACO glaze series is unique, you can always combine techniques and series to create your own unique creations.