Xinxiang Ceramic Mug Manufacturer, brushing glaze is an important process in glazing ceramic mugs. This process is characterized by high flexibility and a long history of use. In some cases, it is necessary to use the brushing glaze process when glazing mugs. However, this process requires high technical skills and has high production costs.

1. What is glazing?
Glazing, as the name suggests, is a method of “brushing” glaze onto the surface of a ceramic body with a brush (similar to a calligraphy brush or paintbrush). We have seen furniture being painted, but this is ceramic glaze being applied to ceramic mugs. It is one of the oldest, most direct, and most flexible methods of glazing. Unlike “dip glazing,” which involves immersing the entire body in glaze slurry, or “spray glazing,” which requires advanced equipment, brush glazing is akin to an artist painting a picture, applying the glaze layer by layer.

2. Applications of brush glazing
Brushing glaze is done by hand, so it is inefficient but highly flexible. Therefore, brushing glaze is suitable for ceramic mugs that are not produced in large quantities and for small orders. Because brushing glaze is highly flexible, this process is also suitable for ceramic mugs with complex glaze requirements, such as ceramic mugs with handles and bodies of different colors, or ceramic mugs with gradient colors on the body or handle. Brush glazing is also suitable for ceramic cups with multiple layers of glaze. For example, ceramic cups with wood grain, floral patterns, stone patterns, etc. on parts of the cup body, or ceramic cups with glitter glaze. Because brush glazing is usually done with a brush or paintbrush, it is also very suitable for repairing areas where glaze has been smeared or sprayed (such as the handle connection, cup rim, cup bottom, etc.). In addition, the brush glazing process is often used for complex mug shapes. For example, the brush glazing process is used for mugs that are too large, too small, or have complex shapes.

3. What is the brush glazing process?
3.1. Prepare the glaze slurry: Mix the glaze powder and water in a specific ratio and stir to a consistency similar to thick cream or yogurt. If the mixture is too thin, it may flow unevenly; if too thick, it may be difficult to apply and leave heavy brush marks. “Instructions for Making Glaze in Ceramic Mugs”

3.2. Prepare the body: Make sure that the mug body waiting to be glazed is completely dry (called “raw body”) and that the surface is clean and free of dust and oil stains. Typically, they undergo a “plain firing” process (What is the plain firing process for raw ceramic mugs?) to make them sturdy and less prone to breakage, making it easier to absorb water (better glaze adhesion).

3.3. Glazing steps:
Glazing technicians hold a brush (commonly a wool brush or soft-bristle brush) and dip it into an appropriate amount of glaze slurry. Like painting, the glaze is evenly applied to the surface of the body. The direction of brushing should be consistent or cross-brushed to ensure full coverage. For mugs, pay special attention to the rim, the connection between the handle and the body, and the bottom rim, which are areas where glaze is easily missed or accumulated. Both the outer surface and inner cavity of the mug need to be carefully brushed. The glazing process usually requires 2-3 coats or even more to achieve the desired glaze thickness and even coverage. During multiple glazing applications, pay attention to the time intervals: After applying the first layer (base glaze), wait until the surface is slightly dry before applying the second layer. If the glaze surface is too wet when applying the second layer, it may damage the first layer, resulting in uneven glaze or peeling.

After glazing is complete, the ceramic mugs should be inspected and repaired: Carefully check whether the glaze surface of the ceramic mugs is uniform, and whether there are any missed spots, bubbles, or obvious brush marks. If there are any problems, repair them with a pen in a timely manner. Finally, place the glazed mugs on a drying rack to dry naturally, avoid touching them, and wait for them to be fired in the kiln. “In-depth analysis of the firing process of ceramic mugs” .

4. Pre-glazing and post-glazing work
4.1. Pre-glazing preparation:

Body preparation: Ensure that the green body is completely dry, cooled, and free of dust and grease (use a soft brush or compressed air to clean). Inspect the body for defects (cracks, pores), which must be repaired before glazing.
Glaze slurry preparation: Accurately measure the glaze materials and water according to the formula, mix thoroughly (preferably sieve) to the desired consistency, and let it settle to remove bubbles. Stir again before use.
Tool preparation: Prepare clean, appropriate brushes (different models may be needed for different areas), containers for holding the glaze slurry, stirring rods, clean water (for washing brushes), and racks for holding unglazed and glazed greenware (to prevent contact between pieces).
Operator preparation: The operator’s hands must be clean and dry. Understand the characteristics of the glaze slurry (such as drying speed) and the desired effect.

4.2. Post-glazing preparation:

Handle with care: Glazed pieces are extremely fragile (the glaze layer has not yet been fired), so they must be handled and placed with extreme care to avoid any bumps or fingerprints/scratches on the glaze surface.
Thorough drying: Place the glazed mugs in a well-ventilated, dust-free, safe (no people walking around and touching them) place to dry thoroughly and naturally. The drying time depends on the humidity of the environment and the thickness of the glaze layer. Make absolutely sure that they are completely dry before putting them in the kiln! Residual moisture will turn into steam when the kiln is heated, causing the glaze surface to crack and even the body to explode.
Final inspection: After drying, carefully inspect the glaze surface again for cracks, peeling, dust impurities, missed areas, or excessive buildup. Minor defects can be attempted to be repaired by gently sanding with extremely fine sandpaper (e.g., 800 grit or higher), but large-scale issues may require washing off and reapplying the glaze.

The glazing process is a test of the technician's experience. The quality of the glaze is usually determined by high-quality glaze materials, fine techniques, and strict management. With more than 20 years of professional ceramic mug production experience, Xinxiang Ceramic Mug Factory has many experienced glazing technicians. We adhere to the concept of “details are fundamental, quality is life” to provide customized ceramic mugs for our customers.