Ceramic decals are images printed with ceramic colors onto a thin film on waterslide paper. You slide the film onto a glaze-fired pot and fire it again at a low temperature. The film burns away and the colors fuse to the glaze, which is how factory-style logos, photos and patterns end up on handmade mugs and plates.
This guide is research-based. We compared the published instructions and firing schedules of Milestone Decal Art, Elan Transfers, Archie Bray and New Mexico Clay with technical notes from Digitalfire and Ceramic Industry. We did not apply or fire decals ourselves. Specs checked October 2026.
What are ceramic decals?
Ceramic Industry describes decal inks as enamels: "colored mineral pigments or precious metals such as gold and platinum" printed on special paper. A clear cover coat is printed over the image to hold it together while you move it. Digitalfire explains the rest: a glue layer holds the film to the backing, water loosens it, and in the kiln the film burns off and leaves the ink bonded to the glaze.
Decals are a type of overglaze, like china paint and lusters, so they go on last, after the glaze firing. Our underglaze vs overglaze guide explains that firing order, and our gold glaze guide covers metallic options.
Kiln-fired decals vs printable decal paper
Four products get called decals, and only some of them belong in a kiln:
| Type | Goes on | Fired? | Typical result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial ceramic decals | Glaze-fired ware | Yes, low decal firing | Full color, metallics, permanent |
| Laser ceramic decal paper | Glaze-fired ware | Yes (NM Clay: cone 06) | One color from iron oxide toner, sepia brown |
| Craft waterslide decal paper | Mugs, glass, tumblers | No (Coldesi: cure under 390°F (199°C)) | Decorative only, hand wash |
| Underglaze transfers | Greenware or bisque | Yes, in your normal firings, under glaze | Usually one color, under clear glaze |
Underglaze transfers work the other way round, under the glaze; see our underglaze transfers guide for them.
Ceramic decal paper you print yourself
The home route to a fired decal is a laser printer whose toner contains iron oxide. New Mexico Clay's ceramic decal paper calls for a black-only HP or Canon laser printer and warns that some newer HP toners changed formulation, so it tells buyers to check the toner's SDS for "Iron Oxide or Ferrite." Its images fire to "a lovely sepia brown" at cone 06 over glazes from cone 06 to 10. NM Clay says to remove water with a brayer over a paper towel, not a squeegee, and not to stretch the film. A 10-sheet pack ran about $30 to $35 in October 2026.
Full color fired decals need ceramic toner printers. Digitalfire reported in 2021 that such printers had dropped below $1,000, with toner cartridges around $500 per color, and notes that the machines are troublesome to run. That cost is why most potters buy printed decals or order custom ones.
Craft waterslide paper is not ceramic decal paper
Inkjet and laser waterslide papers sold for tumblers and mugs are not made for a kiln. Coldesi's EZ Peel instructions say its paper is "Not recommended for firing on porcelain, china, or ceramics," that cure temperature should stay under 390°F (199°C), and that the decals are "not dishwasher safe." Use these only for decoration you will hand wash, and never on a surface that touches food or lips.
Decal firing temperatures by maker
Every decal maker publishes its own schedule. Digitalfire puts it plainly: "Each decal manufacturer has a recommended firing temperature, that is for their decals, not your glaze."
| Maker or product | Cone stated | Peak temperature and hold |
|---|---|---|
| Milestone Decal Art, standard decals | 018 to 016 | 1,470°F (800°C), 15 min |
| Milestone Decal Art, digital food safe decals | 019 | 1,420°F (771°C), no hold |
| Milestone Decal Art, high temperature decals | 04 to 9 | 1,920°F to 2,340°F (1,050°C to 1,280°C), 10 min |
| Clay-King vintage decals | 018 to 017 | Not published on the listing |
| Elan Transfers overglaze decals | Not stated | 1,616°F (880°C), 15 min |
| Archie Bray decals | Not stated | 1,580°F (860°C), 30 min |
| New Mexico Clay laser decal paper | 06 | Depends on glaze and clay, per NM Clay |
Ceramic Industry gives the general on-glaze range as 1,350°F to 1,450°F (700°C to 800°C), and Digitalfire says decal firings "only go to around 1600F." Most kiln-fired decals therefore sit near cone 018 to 015. Low fire and high boron glazes can soften at decal temperatures and blister, so test on your own glaze. Our pottery cone chart converts cones to temperatures.
How to apply waterslide ceramic decals
The makers agree on the basics. Soak times vary: Elan and Milestone use about 30 seconds in warm water, Clay-King 20 seconds, and Archie Bray about 1 minute in cold water.
- Clean the glaze. Wipe the fired surface with rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth to remove oil and dust.
- Prepare the decal. Remove any protective cover sheet and cut close to the image, since the cover coat can leave a faint line at the cut edge.
- Soak briefly. Lift it out once it uncurls and slides on the backing; do not let it float free.
- Wet the spot. A thin film of water on the pot lets you slide the decal into position.
- Slide it on face up. Archie Bray stresses these are applied face up, so do not mirror the art.
- Squeeze out water and air. Press from the center outward with a rubber rib, small squeegee or roller, then blot. Trapped pockets cause blowouts.
- Dry fully. Bray and Clay-King dry decals 24 hours; Elan says overnight or at least until no moisture is left.
- Fire on the maker's schedule. Do not rub the decal once it is dry.
Most decals are partly transparent, and Elan says they work best over white or light glaze. On a dark glaze, colors will look weak or disappear.
Firing decals: schedule and venting
Decal firings start slowly so water and the organic film can leave before the colors melt. Milestone's standard schedule climbs 80°F per hour to 250°F (121°C), then 250°F per hour to 700°F (371°C), before a fast run to peak. A kiln controller with ramp and hold programs makes this easy.
- Vent the whole firing. Archie Bray says to use a kiln vent for the entire firing, with peeps open and the lid propped until 800°F (427°C). Milestone says to keep the kiln well ventilated up to 1,000°F (538°C), in a room that vents outdoors.
- Go easy on big pieces. Bray slows the top segment to 400°F per hour for plates and larger work, and Digitalfire warns that refired pieces can crack through the quartz inversion around 1,063°F (573°C).
- Open late. Bray opens the kiln below 200°F (93°C).
- Do not stack glazed pieces on one another.
The burning film smells and smokes. Our kiln vent guide covers downdraft vents and hoods; follow your kiln maker's clearance and venting instructions.
Food surfaces and decals
Treat decals as decoration unless the maker says otherwise in writing. Clay-King's vintage decal listing says "Do not apply on surfaces that come in contact with food or drink" and warns that lead and cadmium may be present in some colors. Elan describes its overglaze decals as food safe and lead free, and Milestone sells a separate food safe decal line with its own schedule. Digitalfire notes decal inks sit on top of the glaze and are more subject to abrasion than the glaze itself. Keep decals off lips, rims and interiors unless the maker labels them for food contact, fire exactly to their schedule, and never assume a decorated piece is food safe. See our food safe glaze guide for how makers label and test.
Making your own or ordering custom decals
You have three realistic routes. A black-only laser printer with iron oxide toner and ceramic decal paper gives one-color sepia images at home. Screen printing with ceramic colors suits small runs of a logo or pattern if you already print. For full color, photos or metallics, order custom decals from a ceramic decal printer and ask for the firing schedule, the cone, a lead statement and whether the colors are rated for food contact.
Troubleshooting
- Pinholes or blowouts: trapped water or air. Milestone suggests warmer water and letting the decal dry several hours or more.
- Decal wipes off after firing: backing left on, decal upside down, or underfired. Milestone says underfired ware can be refired hotter.
- Halo around the edges: Bray notes the cover coat can leave a slight border; cut closer next time. Bray buffs gently with 320 grit or finer paper if needed.
- Dull metallics: metallics need full firing to develop their luster, per Milestone.
- Faded laser images: NM Clay says translucent cone 06 glazes may need a lower decal firing.
Common mistakes
- Firing craft waterslide decals in a kiln.
- Applying decals to bisque instead of glaze-fired ware.
- Using one maker's schedule for another maker's decals.
- Putting non-food decals on a mug rim.
- Firing with the vent off or the lid closed from the start.
- Placing translucent decals on dark glaze.
What you need
Decal firings run far cooler than glaze firings, so a small kiln with a programmable controller handles them well. Our best small kilns guide compares compact models and their electrical needs. Add rubbing alcohol, a soft rib or brayer, lint-free cloths and decals from a maker that publishes a schedule.
Sources: Milestone Decal Art, Ceramic/Porcelain firing instructions; Elan Transfers overglaze decal instructions; Archie Bray Foundation decal instructions; Clay-King vintage ceramic decal listing; New Mexico Clay ceramic decal paper page; Coldesi EZ Peel waterslide instructions; Digitalfire glossary, ceramic decals; Ceramic Industry, "Decals 101." Specs checked October 2026.