A matte glaze has a soft, low-shine surface that scatters light instead of reflecting it. The best matte glaze for home pottery is one that is fully melted at your cone and gets its matte look from tiny crystals or a satin surface, not from being underfired. Below are six matte and satin glazes from Mayco and AMACO, including matte clears for use over underglaze, followed by how a matte finish forms and how to get one in your own kiln. This guide is research-based: figures come from maker product and line pages, and we note where a maker leaves a figure out.
- Best matte clear for cone 6: Mayco SW-002 Stoneware Matte Clear (soft matte, Dinnerware Safe mark, pint, gallon or 10 lb dry)
- Best satin clear over underglaze: AMACO SM-10 Clear Satin (zinc free, mixes with the Satin Matte line)
- Best true matte white: Mayco SW-141 White Matte (no movement at cone 5/6, per Mayco)
- Best colored matte with variation: AMACO SH-46 Matcha Matte (greens and browns by thickness)
- Best low-fire matte clear: AMACO LM-10 Transparent Matte (cone 05, satin surface)
- Low-fire brushing alternative: Mayco C-300 Matte Transparent (cone 06 matte sheen)
Matte glaze comparison table
| Glaze | Firing range (maker) | Finish | Coats (maker) | Sizes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayco SW-002 Stoneware Matte Clear | Cone 6 ox, cone 10 reduction | Soft matte clear (slight gloss at cone 10) | Not published; thicker builds opacity | Pint, gallon, 10 lb dry | Check price |
| AMACO SM-10 Clear Satin | Cone 5 to 6 | Satin clear | 1 to 2 even coats | Pint | Check price |
| Mayco SW-141 White Matte | Cone 5/6, cone 10 | Smooth matte, opaque when thick | 3 or more for opacity | Pint, 10 lb dry | Check price |
| AMACO SH-46 Matcha Matte | Cone 5 to 6 oxidation | Matte, green to brown | Not published | Pint | Check price |
| AMACO LM-10 Transparent Matte | Cone 05 | Satin clear | Not published; apply thin | Pint, gallon | Check price |
| Mayco C-300 Matte Transparent | Cone 06 ox (glossy at cone 6) | Matte sheen | 2 at cone 06 | Pint, gallon | Check price |
Pints of these glazes generally fall in a $15 to $35 band at US dealers in October 2026; dry mix costs less per pot. Check the live price before ordering.
1. Mayco SW-002 Stoneware Matte Clear: best matte clear glaze for cone 6
A matte clear glaze lets you keep underglaze painting or a speckled clay visible while losing the wet-look shine. SW-002 is Mayco's version for mid and high fire. Mayco describes it as a soft matte clear at cone 6 oxidation and says the finish develops a slight gloss at cone 10 reduction, so it is most matte in a cone 6 electric kiln.
Mayco's only application note is that thicker applications build opacity. That is the key thing to know about any matte clear: the more you apply, the more it clouds, so use thin coats over underglaze and test how many your brush lays down before glazing a full piece. Mayco does not publish a coat count for SW-002.
The page shows Mayco's Dinnerware Safe mark and the ACMI seal. Sizes are pint, gallon, and a 10 lb dry mix sold as SD-002 for dipping. Because it is a Mayco Stoneware glaze, it sits alongside SW-001 Stoneware Clear, which is the gloss partner; see clear glaze for pottery for that and other gloss clears, and the Mayco Stoneware glazes review for the full line.
- Firing: cone 6 oxidation; cone 10 reduction (slight gloss)
- Finish: soft matte clear
- Coats: not published; thicker builds opacity
- Label: Dinnerware Safe mark, ACMI seal
- Sizes: pint, gallon, 10 lb dry (SD-002)
Pros
- True matte clear at cone 6
- Liquid or dry
- Dinnerware Safe mark
Cons
- Clouds when thick
- Less matte at cone 10
- No coat count published
Who should skip it: Low-fire potters and anyone who wants the clearest possible view of dark underglaze.
2. AMACO SM-10 Clear Satin: best satin clear over underglaze
Satin sits between gloss and full matte, and for many potters it is the most useful finish: soft to look at, smoother to the touch than a dry matte. SM-10 is the clear in AMACO's Satin Matte line, which AMACO lists for cone 5 to 6 on bisque fired to cone 04 and labels food safe on the line page. AMACO describes SM-10 as a smooth, buttery zinc-free clear.
AMACO's clear-glaze guide gives the application advice: one to two even coats to prevent milky spots. It also warns that satin and matte clears make black underglazes look faded; for a satin black, it suggests V-361 Jet Black under one coat of SM-10, or two watered-down coats. The product page lists V-370, V-361 and V-316 as Velvet colors SM-10 can mute.
The Satin Matte line is 100% mixable, so SM-10 also lightens other Satin Matte colors. This pick is the clear only; the full line, all 18 colors and AMACO's mixing advice are covered in the AMACO Satin Matte glazes review.
- Firing: cone 5 to 6 (bisque cone 04)
- Finish: satin clear, zinc free
- Coats: one to two even coats (AMACO)
- May mute: V-370, V-361, V-316 (AMACO)
- Size: pint
Pros
- Soft satin over underglaze
- Zinc free
- Mixes with Satin Matte colors
Cons
- Fades some blacks and pinks
- Pint only
Who should skip it: Anyone after a fully dry matte or a high-gloss clear.
3. Mayco SW-141 White Matte: best true matte white
A white matte glaze is the classic modern pottery surface, and it is also one of the hardest to get right: many matte whites are matte only because they are underfired. Mayco describes SW-141 as a smooth matte surface and a true matte finish at cone 5/6 with no movement. No movement matters for home potters, because a glaze that stays put does not glue pots to kiln shelves.
Coverage depends on thickness. Mayco says three or more coats give a more opaque finish, while thin coats let the clay show through, especially on dark and speckled bodies. That gives you two looks from one jar: a solid white on porcelain, or a soft white that breaks to brown speckle on a speckled buff.
Mayco lists no change at cone 10. The page shows the Dinnerware Safe mark and ACMI seal. Sizes are pint and a 10 lb dry mix (SD-141). If you want a white that moves and pools, this is the wrong pick; SW-141 is for clean, even surfaces.
- Firing: cone 5/6; no change at cone 10
- Finish: smooth matte, no movement
- Coats: three or more for an opaque finish
- Label: Dinnerware Safe mark, ACMI seal
- Sizes: pint, 10 lb dry (SD-141)
Pros
- Stable true matte at cone 5/6
- No running
- Works over speckled clay
Cons
- Needs three or more coats for full white
- No gallon liquid listed
Who should skip it: Low-fire potters and anyone who wants a white that breaks and pools over texture.
4. AMACO SH-46 Matcha Matte: best colored matte with variation
Not every matte glaze has to be flat. AMACO's SH-46 Matcha Matte is a matte, 100% mixable mid-fire glaze from the AMACO Shino line, and AMACO says it gives varied shades of green and brown depending on thickness. That variation reads well on carved or textured forms where a flat matte would look plain.
The Shino line is made for cone 5 to 6 oxidation, and AMACO shows Matcha Matte in its "Testing AMACO Shino Glazes" tutorial on No. 58 Warm Brown Stoneware, which helps if you work on a darker body. The product page shows a food-safe icon and the AP seal. AMACO does not publish a single coat count on the product page, so test one, two and three coats on a tile to see the green-to-brown range in your kiln.
SH-46 comes in pints. If you like the look, the AMACO Shino glazes review covers its sister Chai Matte and the rest of the line, including how electric-kiln shinos differ from gas-fired ones.
- Firing: cone 5 to 6 oxidation
- Finish: matte, green and brown by thickness
- Label: food-safe icon, AP seal (product page)
- Size: pint
Pros
- Matte with real color variation
- Mixable
- Shown on brown stoneware by AMACO
Cons
- No coat count published
- Results shift a lot with thickness
Who should skip it: Anyone who wants an even, flat matte color, or who fires low fire.
5. AMACO LM-10 Transparent Matte: best low-fire matte clear
For cone 05 work, LM-10 is AMACO's matte clear. AMACO's Low Fire Matte line page says to glaze fire to cone 05 (1,888°F, 1,031°C) on bisque fired to cone 04 (1,945°F, 1,063°C) and describes the line as Dinnerware Safe. The product page calls LM-10 a satin glaze that works well with surface decoration and with any AMACO underglaze.
Application is the main thing to get right. AMACO says to apply LM-10 thin over texture and surface decoration to prevent pooling, and that it can become semi-opaque when thick. AMACO's clear-glaze guide shows it over Velvet underglazes, and also warns that matte and satin clears can make black and dark underglazes look faded.
The line is small: LM-10 Transparent Matte and LM-11 Opaque White. LM-10 comes in pints and gallons. If you fire low fire and want a soft surface without a separate matte glaze for each color, this is the simple route. The low fire glazes guide covers the rest of the cone 05 range.
- Firing: cone 05 (bisque cone 04)
- Finish: satin clear; semi-opaque when thick
- Label: line listed as Dinnerware Safe
- Sizes: pint, gallon
Pros
- Low-fire matte clear over any AMACO underglaze
- Pint or gallon
Cons
- Pools and clouds if thick
- Fades dark underglazes
- No coat count
Who should skip it: Cone 6 potters, and anyone who wants deep, saturated blacks.
6. Mayco C-300 Matte Transparent: low-fire brushing alternative
C-300 is Mayco's low-fire matte clear, sold with its brushing clears. At cone 06 oxidation, Mayco describes the finish as a matte sheen and recommends two coats. The page carries the Dinnerware Safe mark and ACMI seal, and it comes in pints and gallons.
The important detail is what happens if you fire it hotter. Mayco says that at cone 6 the finish is completely glossy and recommends one coat there. So C-300 is a matte clear only at low fire; at cone 6 it becomes a gloss clear. That is useful to know if a studio fires your work at a different cone than you expected.
Mayco also notes that heavy application can cause a cloudy surface at cone 06, the same thickness rule that applies to every matte clear. It pairs naturally with Mayco's low-fire underglazes and Stroke and Coat colors, though Mayco's page does not address those pairings directly, so test on a tile first.
- Firing: cone 06 oxidation (matte sheen); glossy at cone 6
- Coats: two at cone 06, one at cone 6
- Label: Dinnerware Safe mark, ACMI seal
- Sizes: pint, gallon
Pros
- Clear coat guidance for both cones
- Low-fire matte sheen
- Pint or gallon
Cons
- Not matte at cone 6
- Clouds if heavy
Who should skip it: Mid-fire potters who want a matte surface at cone 6.
What makes a matte glaze matte
A gloss glaze is smooth at the scale of light, so it reflects like a mirror. A matte glaze has a surface that is rough at a tiny scale, so light scatters. In most matte glazes that roughness comes from microscopic crystals that grow as the glaze cools. Calcium-rich glazes and glazes high in magnesia (from talc or dolomite) are the common types, and magnesia mattes tend to feel silky. Fine alumina that stays undissolved can also matte a glaze.
The key point from glaze chemists is that a good matte is still fully melted. A glaze that looks matte because it never melted is soft, can stain, and may release materials into food. That is why a reliable commercial matte, fired to the right cone, is a safer starting point than turning down the kiln.
Cooling speed also matters. Fast cooling can leave a matte glaze shinier than expected, while slow cooling grows more crystals and a drier surface. A small electric kiln cools faster than a large one, which is one reason the same jar can look different in two studios.
How to get a matte finish on pottery
There are four practical ways to get a matte surface at home, in order of how reliable they are:
- Use a glaze sold as matte at your cone. SW-141 at cone 5/6, or LM-10 at cone 05. This is the simplest and most repeatable route.
- Put a matte clear over underglaze. SW-002, SM-10, LM-10 or C-300 over painted color gives a soft finish and seals the surface. Keep the clear thin.
- Leave underglaze unglazed on outer surfaces. Some underglazes, such as AMACO Velvet, fire to a soft matte on their own; keep this to surfaces that do not touch food.
- Slow the cool. A slow cool after a cone 6 firing can make some mattes more matte. Check your kiln controller manual and the glaze firing guide before changing a schedule.
Do not underfire a gloss glaze to make it matte. It may look matte, but it has not melted into a durable glass.
How to choose a matte glaze for ceramics
Matte, satin or semi-matte
Makers use these words loosely. Satin is a soft sheen, matte is dry looking, and semi-matte sits between. If you want a surface that feels smooth and wipes clean, satin (SM-10, LM-10) is the safer choice. For a stone-like look on the outside of a vase, a full matte like SW-141 is the classic.
Match the cone
Every pick above has a narrow best range. C-300 turns glossy at cone 6, and SW-002 picks up gloss at cone 10. Buy for the cone your kiln actually reaches and check with witness cones.
Inside or outside of the pot
Many potters use a gloss liner inside mugs and bowls and a matte outside. Mattes can show cutlery marks (gray lines from metal spoons and forks) and can be harder to clean. That is a surface issue, not a crack, but it matters on plates.
Over underglaze
Matte and satin clears soften color. AMACO warns that blacks and dark underglazes can look faded under them. If dark color matters, use one thin coat or a gloss clear instead.
Thickness and opacity
Matte clears cloud as they get thicker (Mayco and AMACO both say so), while opaque mattes need more coats (Mayco suggests three or more of SW-141). Test a tile with one, two and three coats before you glaze a set.
Labels and testing
Dinnerware Safe and food-safe marks describe the maker's test at the stated cone. Your pot's results depend on your firing, clay and application. The food safe glaze guide explains testing options.
Matte glaze problems and fixes
Gray cutlery marks: caused by microscopic surface roughness abrading metal, not by a soft glaze. A gloss liner on eating surfaces avoids the issue.
Dry, chalky or rough surface: often underfiring or a very thick coat. Check a witness cone and thin the application.
Shiny patches: fast cooling or a hot spot in the kiln. Try a different shelf or a slower cool.
Milky matte clear: too thick. Thin the coat, especially over dark underglaze.
Safety notes
Dry glaze mixes (SD-002, SD-141) contain silica. Mix with a NIOSH-approved respirator, add powder to water gently, and wet-clean spills; never sweep dry. Read the maker's SDS for each glaze. A matte surface that leaches does not always look different from one that does not, so never promise anyone that a matte glaze is food safe on your pots; labels apply to the maker's tests at the stated cone.
Sources: Mayco product pages for SW-002 Stoneware Matte Clear, SW-141 White Matte and C-300 Matte Transparent; AMACO Satin Matte and Low Fire Matte line pages; AMACO product pages for SM-10 Clear, LM-10 Transparent Matte and SH-46 Matcha Matte; AMACO blog "Choosing a Clear Glaze"; Digitalfire glossary "Matte Glaze"; Ceramic Arts Network "What Makes a Matte Glaze Matte?" and Ceramics Monthly Techno File "Matte Glazes"; Laguna Moroccan Matte collection page. Specs checked October 2026.