Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 6 hours ago
In this lesson plan, we guide you through the reduction print process using readily available tools to achieve a traditional reduction print look on your ceramic ware.
Shop Ceramic Printing Inks:
shop.amaco.com/glazes-underglazes/ceramic-inks
Shop Velvet Underglaze:
shop.amaco.com/glazes-underglazes/underglazes/v-velvet-underglaze
Shop LG-10 Clear Transparent:
shop.amaco.com/lg-10-clear-transparent
Shop Ceramic Bisque Tiles:
shop.amaco.com/ceramic-bisque-tiles
Tools and Materials:
-AMACO Ceramic Printing Inks
-AMACO Velvet Underglaze
-AMACO LG-10 Clear Transparent Glaze
-2 Low Fire Bisque Tiles
-3" Square Thick Craft Foams
-Sticky Backed Craft Foam
-Packing Foam
-Brayer
-Mist Bottle
Sharpie Marker
-Scissors
-Cup and Brush
-Baby Wipes
-Tape
Steps:
1. Cut sticky-backed craft foam and packing foam to match the size of the 6" x 6" low-fire bisque tile.
2. Cut four narrow strips from the sticky-back craft foam and press them onto the edges of the packing foam to create a border.
3. Cut, peel, and stick two large shapes to the packing foam.
4. Cut, peel, and stick five medium-sized shapes to the packing foam.
5. Cut small shapes to fill the background. The goal is to minimize the amount of negative space.
6. Mix a light AMACO Velvet Underglaze about 50/50 with water and liberally apply one coat to the tile. [Suggested colors: V-324 Blush or V-329 Sea Glass]
7. Use a brayer to evenly roll the lightest AMACO Ceramic Printing Ink color onto your custom printing plate.
8. Place printing plate face down on tile. Draw an arrow on the back to show the top of the printing plate.
9. After pressing firmly on the back of the printing plate, carefully peel it off the tile.
10. Remove the smallest shapes; they will remain the lightest color in the final print.
11. Ink the printing plate with the medium color, place face down on the tile, press firmly on the back of the plate, and peel it off the tile.
12. Remove medium size shapes; they will remain the medium color in the final print.
13. Ink the printing plate with the darkest color, place face down on the tile, press firmly on the back of the plate, and peel it off the tile.
14. Remove the printing plate, let the ink dry, then apply AMACO LG-10 Clear Transparent Glaze and fire to cone 05.
In this lesson plan, we guide you through the reduction print process using readily available tools to achieve a traditional reduction print look on your ceramic ware.
Shop Ceramic Printing Inks:
shop.amaco.com/glazes-underglazes/ceramic-inks
Shop Velvet Underglaze:
shop.amaco.com/glazes-underglazes/underglazes/v-velvet-underglaze
Shop LG-10 Clear Transparent:
shop.amaco.com/lg-10-clear-transparent
Shop Ceramic Bisque Tiles:
shop.amaco.com/ceramic-bisque-tiles
Tools and Materials:
-AMACO Ceramic Printing Inks
-AMACO Velvet Underglaze
-AMACO LG-10 Clear Transparent Glaze
-2 Low Fire Bisque Tiles
-3" Square Thick Craft Foams
-Sticky Backed Craft Foam
-Packing Foam
-Brayer
-Mist Bottle
Sharpie Marker
-Scissors
-Cup and Brush
-Baby Wipes
-Tape
Steps:
1. Cut sticky-backed craft foam and packing foam to match the size of the 6" x 6" low-fire bisque tile.
2. Cut four narrow strips from the sticky-back craft foam and press them onto the edges of the packing foam to create a border.
3. Cut, peel, and stick two large shapes to the packing foam.
4. Cut, peel, and stick five medium-sized shapes to the packing foam.
5. Cut small shapes to fill the background. The goal is to minimize the amount of negative space.
6. Mix a light AMACO Velvet Underglaze about 50/50 with water and liberally apply one coat to the tile. [Suggested colors: V-324 Blush or V-329 Sea Glass]
7. Use a brayer to evenly roll the lightest AMACO Ceramic Printing Ink color onto your custom printing plate.
8. Place printing plate face down on tile. Draw an arrow on the back to show the top of the printing plate.
9. After pressing firmly on the back of the printing plate, carefully peel it off the tile.
10. Remove the smallest shapes; they will remain the lightest color in the final print.
11. Ink the printing plate with the medium color, place face down on the tile, press firmly on the back of the plate, and peel it off the tile.
12. Remove medium size shapes; they will remain the medium color in the final print.
13. Ink the printing plate with the darkest color, place face down on the tile, press firmly on the back of the plate, and peel it off the tile.
14. Remove the printing plate, let the ink dry, then apply AMACO LG-10 Clear Transparent Glaze and fire to cone 05.
