Sector-specific

Glazing of Handcrafted Ceramic Products

Art and Crafts

100 h

Introduction

Within the vast field of arts and crafts, traditional pottery is a discipline that requires a deep understanding of the fundamental techniques for creating unique and authentic ceramic pieces. These techniques involve the careful selection of appropriate shapes, dimensions and ceramic materials, as well as the glazing of the resulting products.

Glazing is a crucial stage in the process of pottery, where ceramic glazes are applied to the pieces to achieve both an attractive visual appearance and a proper functionality. This process involves selecting glazes that will melt at the correct temperature and produce the desired effects, such as colours and textures, in the surface of the parts.

Objectives

To prepare glazes and engobes and prepare them for application, based on predefined formulations, ensuring the product quality and safety of operations.
Apply pre-prepared engobes to unfired handmade ceramic pieces and scratch or polish them according to templates traditional pottery or pieces designed for decoration, ensuring product quality and operational safety.
Glazing handmade pottery pieces using manual techniques, with pre-prepared glazes and engobes, in order to achieve production and the required quality and in compliance with the standards on occupational health and safety and environmental management.
Organise the enamelling workshop and carry out the maintenance of media usage production process to ensure its operational efficiency and product quality, whilst complying with regulations on health and safety at work and environmental management.

TEACHING UNIT 1. PREPARING ENGOBES FOR ARTISANAL POTTERY
Types of engobes for handcrafted ceramic products, categorised by their components: raw materials, colourants and additives.
Carrying out the calculations for the preparation of engobes based on the technical data sheet.
- Identification of components.
- Calculation of materials.
Making the engobes.
- Weighing of raw materials.
- Addition of solvents and water.
Use of agitators and equipment for slurry preparation and sieving.
- Dissolution of the engobes.
- Sieving.
Residue measurements on a sieve.
Density and viscosity measurements.
- Viscosity control
- Density control.
Storage of engobes and glazes.
- Labelling and packaging.
Procedures for the organisation, use, maintenance and cleaning of the work area, supplies, equipment and tools.
Occupational hazards, preventive measures and equipment relating to the preparation of engobes for handcrafted pottery pieces.
Environmental risks, preventive measures and waste management relating to the processes involved in preparing engobes for handcrafted pottery.
TEACHING UNIT 2. APPLYING ENGOBES IN ARTISANAL POTTERY USING IMMERSION AND BRUSHING
Preparing the base
Pre-treatment of raw parts
- Humidity levels.
- Cleaning
Packaging of biscuit-type products.
- Humidity levels.
- Cleaning.
Preparation of the slip.
- Monitoring density and viscosity.
Application by immersion and dipping.
- Immersion application.
- Selective spraying.
Checking the applied layer.
- Thickness and adhesion
Identification of defects in the slip-casting process.
- The applied slip is either too thick or too thin.
- Non-adherence.
- The applied coat is uneven.
- Dirt and unwanted fingerprints.
Procedures for the organisation, use, maintenance and cleaning of the work area, supplies, equipment and tools.
Occupational hazards, monitoring systems and preventive equipment relating to the processes involved in preparing engobes for handcrafted pottery.
Environmental risks, preventive measures and waste management relating to the processes involved in preparing engobes for handcrafted pottery.
TEACHING UNIT 3. APPLYING ENGOBES TO HANDMADE POTTERY USING AN AIRBRUSH AND A SPRAY GUN
Preparing the base
Pre-treatment of raw parts
- Humidity levels.
- Cleaning
Packaging of biscuit-type products.
- Humidity levels.
- Cleaning.
Preparation of the slip.
- Monitoring density and viscosity.
Application using an airbrush and a spray gun.
Checking the applied layer.
- Thickness and adhesion
Identification of defects in the slip-casting process.
- The applied slip is either too thick or too thin.
- Non-adherence.
- The applied coat is uneven.
- Dirt and unwanted fingerprints.
Procedures for the organisation, use, maintenance and cleaning of the work area, supplies, equipment and tools.
Occupational hazards, preventive measures and protective equipment relating to the processes involved in preparing engobes for handcrafted pottery.
Environmental risks, preventive measures and waste management relating to the processes involved in preparing engobes for handcrafted pottery.
TEACHING UNIT 4. APPLYING ENGOBES IN ARTISANAL POTTERY USING BRUSHES AND SPATULAS
Preparing the base
Pre-treatment of raw parts
- Humidity levels.
- Cleaning
Packaging of biscuit-type products.
- Humidity levels.
- Cleaning.
Preparation of the slip.
- Monitoring density and viscosity.
Application by dipping, brushing, airbrushing, paintbrush and flat brush.
- Apply using brushes and spatulas.
Checking the applied layer.
- Thickness and adhesion
Identification of defects in the slip-casting process.
- The applied slip is either too thick or too thin.
- Non-adherence.
- The applied coat is uneven.
- Dirt and unwanted fingerprints.
Procedures for the organisation, use, maintenance and cleaning of the work area, supplies, equipment and tools.
Occupational risks, monitoring systems and preventive equipment relating to the processes involved in preparing engobes for handmade pottery.
Environmental risks, preventive measures and waste management relating to the processes involved in preparing engobes for handcrafted pottery.
TEACHING UNIT 5. CREATING SGRAPED AND POLISHED EFFECTS ON UNFIRED POTTERY PIECES WITH ENGOBES
Preparation of the parts.
- Humidity levels.
Sgraffito and burnishing techniques
- Applying sgraffito using a punch and combs.
- Polishing of parts using various smooth, hard surfaces.
Identification of defects typical of the decoration of bisque-fired pieces with engobes.
- Excessive or insignificant incisions in the sgraffito.
- Irregular and marked burnishes.
Procedures for the organisation, use, maintenance and cleaning of the work area, supplies, equipment and tools.
Occupational risks, monitoring systems and preventive equipment relating to the processes involved in preparing engobes for handmade pottery.
Environmental risks, preventive measures and waste management relating to the processes involved in preparing engobes for handcrafted pottery.
TRAINING MODULE 2. APPLYING GLAZES TO HANDCRAFTED POTTERY ITEMS
TEACHING UNIT 1. TYPES OF GLAZES FOR ARTISANAL POTTERY
Identification of the types of glazes used for handcrafted ceramic products, taking into account their various components: raw materials, colourants and additives.
- High-temperature glazes.
- Types of bases.
- Coloured.
- Low-temperature glazes.
- Types of bases.
- Coloured.
TEACHING UNIT 2. PREPARING GLAZES FOR ARTISANAL POTTERY
Carrying out the calculations required to formulate enamels based on the technical data sheet.
- Calculation of materials.
Production of the glazes.
- Weighing of raw materials.
- Dissolution.
- Sieving.
Density and viscosity measurements.
- Density control.
- Viscosity control.
Storage of enamels.
- Labelling and storage
Procedures for the organisation, use, maintenance and cleaning of the work area, supplies, equipment and tools.
Occupational hazards, monitoring systems and preventive equipment relating to the processes involved in preparing glazes for handcrafted pottery.
Environmental risks, preventive measures and waste management relating to the processes involved in preparing glazes for handcrafted pottery.
TEACHING UNIT 3. APPLYING GLAZES BY IMMERSION AND DIPPING TO HANDMADE POTTERY PIECES
Substrate preparation: green bodies and bisque-fired pieces.
- Monitoring the humidity of the parts.
Enamel conditioning.
- Monitoring viscosity and density.
Application by immersion or dipping
- Immersion and dipping of uncooked items.
Dipping and coating of bisque-fired pieces.
Use of defoamers.
Checking the applied layer.
- Thickness and adhesion
Identifying defects in the enamelling process.
- The applied enamel is either too thick or too thin.
- Non-adherence.
- The applied coat is uneven.
- Dirt and unwanted fingerprints.
Procedures for the organisation, use, maintenance and cleaning of the work area, supplies, equipment and tools.
Occupational risks, preventive measures and equipment relating to the processes involved in applying glazes to handcrafted pottery.
Environmental risks, preventive measures and waste management relating to the processes involved in applying glazes to handcrafted pottery.
TEACHING UNIT 4. APPLYING GLAZES USING AN AIRBRUSH AND A SPRAY GUN TO HANDMADE POTTERY PIECES
Substrate preparation: green bodies and bisque-fired pieces.
- Monitoring the humidity of the parts.
Enamel conditioning.
- Monitoring viscosity and density.
Application by dipping, brushing, airbrushing, paintbrush and flat brush.
- Application using airbrushes and spray guns.
- Use of defoamers.
Checking the applied layer.
- Thickness and adhesion
Identifying defects in the enamelling process.
- The applied enamel is either too thick or too thin.
- Non-adherence.
- The applied coat is uneven.
- Dirt and unwanted fingerprints.
Maintenance of equipment for airbrushing applications and enamelling tools.
- Cleaning machinery, tools and equipment.
- Storage and preservation.
Procedures for the organisation, use, maintenance and cleaning of the work area, supplies, equipment and tools.
Occupational risks, preventive measures and equipment relating to the processes involved in applying glazes to handcrafted pottery.
Environmental risks, preventive measures and waste management relating to the processes involved in applying glazes to handcrafted pottery.
TEACHING UNIT 5. APPLYING GLAZES USING BRUSHES AND PALETTES TO HANDCRAFTED POTTERY PIECES
Substrate preparation: green bodies and bisque-fired pieces.
- Monitoring the humidity of the parts.
Enamel conditioning.
- Monitoring viscosity and density.
Apply using a brush and a palette knife.
- Apply using a brush and a palette knife.
- Use of defoamers.
Checking the applied layer.
- Thickness and adhesion
Identifying defects in the enamelling process.
- The applied enamel is either too thick or too thin.
- Non-adherence.
- The applied coat is uneven.
- Dirt and unwanted fingerprints.
Maintenance of equipment for airbrushing applications and enamelling tools.
- Cleaning machinery, tools and equipment.
- Storage and preservation.
Procedures for the organisation, use, maintenance and cleaning of the work area, supplies, equipment and tools.
Occupational hazards, monitoring systems and preventive equipment relating to the processes involved in applying glazes to handcrafted pottery pieces.
Environmental risks, preventive measures and waste management relating to the processes involved in applying glazes to handcrafted pottery.

Glazing of Handcrafted Ceramic Products

Introduction

Objectives

Table of Contents

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