Underglaze transfers are sheets of thin rice paper or newsprint printed with ceramic underglaze. You press the sheet face down onto clay, dampen the back, and the underglaze moves from the paper to the pot, much like a temporary tattoo. They let you put detailed patterns, text or illustrations on pottery without painting skills, and the design fires like any other underglaze.
This guide is research-based, drawn from maker instructions and FAQs from Elan Transfers and listings from Sanbao Studio, plus a published how-to from Crafty Chica. Specs checked October 2026.
How underglaze transfers work
Elan Transfers describes its sheets as rice paper "individually silk screened with ceramic underglaze." Moisture reactivates the dried underglaze, so when you dampen the paper against the clay, the color lets go of the paper and sticks to the slightly wetter surface of the pot. Elan says the design "will darken slightly" as it transfers, which is your signal that it is working.
The idea is old. Wikipedia notes that English Staffordshire potters used transfer printing from the 1760s, inking engraved copper plates with underglaze color, printing onto damp tissue paper and pressing it onto pots. Today's sheets are screen printed rather than engraved, but the principle is the same.
Underglaze transfers vs overglaze decals
| Feature | Underglaze transfer | Overglaze decal |
|---|---|---|
| Goes on | Wet or leather-hard clay, or bisque | Glaze-fired ware only |
| Applied by | Pressing face down, dampening, peeling paper | Soaking, sliding off backing paper |
| Under the glaze? | Yes, covered by clear glaze | No, sits on top of the glaze |
| Firing | Your normal bisque and glaze firings | An extra low firing (Elan: cone 012 for kiln decals) |
For the bigger picture, see underglaze vs overglaze.
Where to buy underglaze transfers for pottery
Elan Transfers
Elan sells screen-printed underglaze transfer sheets that it says are "ideal for use on greenware or bisqueware" and printed "using lead-free, food-safe ceramic underglaze." Single sheets were listed at about $8 to $10 in October 2026, with mixed packs costing more. Elan also offers custom transfers, with a $50 setup fee and a usable area of about 19 x 13 in per sheet. Elan fires its own work to cone 6.
Pros
- Clear published instructions
- Food-safe and lead-free statement
- Custom printing
Cons
- Designs are mostly single color
- Elan says designs fired below cone 6 need a glaze on top
Who should skip it: potters who want full-color images on finished ware; overglaze decals suit that better.
Sanbao Studio
Sanbao Studio, which sells through its chinaclayart.com site, offers a large range of underglaze transfer patterns, including multi-color designs. Listings name a 9 x 6.5 in sheet size, and single sheets on its own site ranged from about $2.50 to $9 in October 2026. Its site did not show firing or application specs on the pages we loaded, so follow the instructions included with the sheet.
Pros
- Large pattern selection
- Multi-color options
- Low price per sheet
Cons
- Firing and application specs not on the pages we checked
Who should skip it: potters who want documented cone ratings before buying.
Plum Island Transfers is another US seller that ranks for underglaze transfers, and Bailey Pottery stocks transfers in its specialty glaze department. We could not load Plum Island's specs, so check its instructions directly.
How to apply an underglaze transfer on greenware
- Prepare the clay. Wet to leather-hard clay works best. Elan notes that "the wetter the clay, the easier the transfer, but the higher the chance of smearing."
- Cut and place. Trim the design, then lay it face down on the clay. Double-check it is face down.
- Press from the center. Use a damp but well-wrung sponge, working outward. On firmer clay, Elan suggests pressing with a soft plastic rib, like applying a window decal.
- Watch for the color change. The design darkens slightly as it transfers. Keep pressing evenly across the whole sheet.
- Check a corner. Lift one corner slowly. If the design has not fully moved, lay it back and sponge again.
- Peel the paper. Peel slowly; a needle tool helps lift the edge.
- Dry slowly. Let the piece dry to bone dry, handling the design as little as possible.
- Bisque fire, then glaze. Elan recommends a zinc-free clear glaze and normal glaze firing.
Elan warns not to wipe pots after bisque firing when they carry underglaze transfers, because "the ink is not set until it has a glaze on top or they are fired to a minimum of cone 6." Blow dust off instead, outdoors.
Applying transfers on bisque
Transfers also go on bisque. Elan's instructions give one extra rule for bisqueware: "Wait 24 hours or more after applying the transfer before glazing to prevent peeling." Press firmly with a damp sponge, since bisque does not hold surface moisture as wet clay does, and apply the clear glaze gently, by dipping or pouring, so you do not lift the design.
Getting good results on curved forms
Flat slabs and tiles are the easiest place to start, because the sheet lies flat and you can press evenly. Mugs and cylinders work well once you trim the sheet close to the design. Bowls and rounded forms are harder: cut the design into smaller pieces, or snip small slits in the paper edge so it can follow the curve without wrinkling. Wrinkles leave gaps in the image.
Plan placement before you wet anything. Hold the dry sheet against the pot, mark the position lightly, and work on one section at a time. Some potters apply transfers to a slab first and then build the slab into a form, which keeps the design flat while it transfers. Our slab pottery guide covers that approach.
Combining transfers with other decoration
Transfers mix well with other underglaze work. Paint a background color, let it dry, then add a transfer on top, or add hand-painted color inside a transferred outline. You can also carve through a transferred design at leather hard for a sgraffito effect; our sgraffito pottery guide explains timing.
Glazing over underglaze transfers
Elan says you can use any glaze on top, but notes that "the translucency of the glaze will affect how much of the design you see." A clear glaze shows the design best. Elan's owner uses AMACO HF-9 Zinc Free Clear at cone 5. Our zinc-free clear glaze page explains why zinc-free clears are often recommended over underglaze colors.
Elan calls its transfers lead free and food safe "when fired according to the directions." Your finished piece still depends on your clear glaze, your clay and firing to the right cone. Test functional ware before you use it for food.
How to make underglaze transfers
You can make your own with supplies you may already have. The two common methods:
Painted transfers
- Paint a design in underglaze onto newsprint or thin paper. Remember it will be mirrored on the pot.
- Apply two or three even coats for strong color and let it dry completely.
- Apply it like a bought sheet: face down on leather-hard clay, pressed with a damp sponge or rib, then peeled.
Screen-printed transfers
For repeatable designs, screen print underglaze onto paper. Mayco sells AC-310 Silkscreen Medium to mix with any Fundamentals underglaze for screen printing, and AMACO lists screen printing among the uses for its Velvet line. Let the print dry fully before use. If you want a design printed for you, Elan's custom service is an option.
Can you print your own underglaze transfers on a home printer? Not with normal ink. The design has to be printed in ceramic underglaze, which needs a screen or a specialty printer.
Common mistakes
- Applying face up. Nothing transfers; always check the printed side faces the clay.
- Too much water. A dripping sponge smears the design.
- Uneven pressure. Missed areas stay on the paper; check a corner before peeling.
- Wiping after bisque. The design is not set and will smear.
- Glazing bisque transfers too soon. Elan says wait at least 24 hours.
- An opaque glaze on top. It hides the design; use a clear.
Safety notes
Scraps of dried underglaze and clay make silica dust. Clean your work area with a damp sponge, do not dry sweep, and wash hands before eating. Keep transfer sheets and tools away from food prep areas.
What you need
You need transfer sheets or a jar of underglaze and newsprint, a sponge, a soft rib, a needle tool and a clear glaze for your cone. To choose colors for painted transfers, see our best underglazes guide, and for timing, our leather hard clay guide.
Sources: Elan Transfers FAQ, application instructions and underglaze transfer collection page; Sanbao Studio (chinaclayart.com) underglaze transfer collection and listing titles; Crafty Chica, "How to Use Ceramic Underglaze Transfers"; Mayco 2023 underglaze catalog (AC-310 Silkscreen Medium); AMACO Velvet product sheet; Wikipedia entry for underglaze (transfer printing history). Specs checked October 2026.