Classic, matte, crystal, and glossy

One of the most distinctive features of Mayco Stoneware glazes is their stable performance and intriguing visual depth. They are best known for being user-friendly during both application and firing. These stoneware glazes are easy to use when layering and firing.

Many of these glazes have the property of 'breaking' over the texture of the piece - this brings out secondary shades and subtle color nuances. It is important to note that the final result will be influenced by the type of clay chosen, the thickness of the glaze layer, the firing process, and the temperature.

General use

Stoneware Classic and Matte glazes: Mix well. Apply to bisque fired to cone 04/06. Apply one, two, or three coats, depending on the desired result. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next. Fire from cone 5/6 (approx. 1222°C) up to cone 10. For additional information regarding specific glazes and their properties at cone 10, please refer to the product label.

Stoneware Crystal glazes: These glazes are designed to bloom into stunning bursts of color across the surface. The crystals settle at the bottom of the jar, so it is essential to stir the glaze thoroughly before use and between coats. Apply two to three coats using a fan or a wide, soft brush. While the glaze is wet, use your brush to redistribute the crystals to achieve a balanced look. An excessive amount of crystals can cause pinholing or glaze running. Avoid placing crystals on the bottom third of vertical pieces, as they may encourage the glaze to flow during firing.

Stoneware Gloss glazes: These glazes can be used for both decoration and full coverage; they are the ideal product for color blending at mid-range temperatures. Your design outlines will remain crisp, as these glazes are exceptionally stable - they do not move or bleed into adjacent colors.

Stoneware Classic and Matte glazes

Safety information

Mayco Stoneware Classic glazes are divided into those with AP Non-Toxic and CL (Health Caution) those that carry health caution labeling. Please review the label of each specific color to determine its health classification and corresponding warnings.

According to FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) standards, all glazes in the 'Stoneware Classic' line are Food Safe. Note: Commercial manufacturers may be required to perform their own food safety testing on their products prior to sale.

With the exception of the items listed below, the 'Stoneware Classic' and 'Matte' glazes are also Dinnerware Safeif they are used according to the manufacturer's instructions and fired to the temperature of complete vitrification of the clay body.

Exceptions (not suitable for dinnerware): These glazes are not dinnerware safe due to the surface durability properties of the fired glaze:

SW132 Mirror Black, SW164 Satin Patina, SW182 Antique Brass, SW185 Rainforest, SW186 Azurite, SW187 Himalayan Salt, SW195 Riptide, SW197 Fossil Rock, SW215 Micro Champagne, SW216 Micro Jade, SW217 Micro Cerulean, SW218 Micro Ash, SW223 Milk Glass.

Some glazes, regardless of surface texture or clay porosity, are marked as unsuitable for dinnerware because their surface is not sufficiently resistant and may be affected by contact with food or liquids. While this may not be harmful to health, it is an undesirable trait for everyday use.

Recommendation: The glazes listed above (SW132, SW164, SW182, etc.) are recommended for use for decorative purposes only.

Stoneware Crystal glazes

„Mayco Stoneware Crystal“ are devided into AP Non-Toxic and CL (Health Caution) those that carry health caution labeling. Please review the label of each specific color to determine its health classification and corresponding warnings.

According to FDA standarts, all Crystal glazes are Food Safe. Note: Commercial manufacturers may be required to perform their own food safety testing on their products prior to sale.

With the exception of SW122 Green Jasper, all glazes in this line are Dinnerware Safe, provided they are used according to the manufacturer's instructions and fired to the temperature of complete clay body vitrification. However, if the glaze surface is highly textured due to crystals, personal judgment should be exercised - less regarding safety and more regarding aesthetic convenience.

Exception:

SW122 Green Jasper is not dinnerware safe due to the surface durability of the fired glaze. Some glazes, regardless of surface texture or clay porosity, are marked as unsuitable for dinnerware because their surface is not durable and may be affected by contact with food or liquids. While this may not be harmful, it is an undesirable trait. SW122 Green Jasper is recommended for decorative purposes only.

Stoneware Gloss glazes

Mayco Stoneware Gloss glazes are AP Non-Toxic, food safe and dinnerware safe, provided they are used according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Note: Commercial manufacturers may be required to perform their own food safety testing on their products prior to sale.

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Combination with other glazes:

Mayco Stoneware glazes are excellent for layering, both over and under other glazes. Potters can achieve incredible results using a combination of just two glazes.

Take inspiration from Mayco stoneware combination sheets:

Find your favourite combo

Stoneware with Stroke & Coat®

Many Stroke & Coat® glazes perform excellently at mid-range firing temperatures. Darker colors, such as red, orange, yellow, blue, and green, may darken slightly compared to results at cone 06. Lighter colors, such as tan, purple, or pink, may fade.

Stoneware with Elements™

Most Elements™ and Elements™ Chunkies glazes create stunning effects when used on stoneware at mid-range temperatures. It is important to note that during the firing process, Elements™ glazes become quite fluid and are prone to running, so apply them away from the bottom of the piece.

Stoneware with Jungle Gems™

Jungle Gems™ glazes yield very interesting results when used at mid-range temperatures. At higher temperatures, the crystals become even more fluid and act more as a color blending/blooming agent rather than remaining as distinct spots.

Stoneware with Designer Liner

Designer Liner allow potters to achieve crisp lines when firing from 06 iki 6 kūgio cone) temperatures. To ensure maximum line clarity and quality, use a non-moving clear or semi-transparent glaze over the Designer Liner.

Tips:

Stoneware Crystal glazes

• Mixing: Crystals settle at the bottom of the jar, so they must be mixed thoroughly before use. Re-mix the glaze before applying each new coat. Use a palette knife or another unpainted tool for mixing.
• Layering: An excessive amount or a heavy concentration of crystals in one area can cause pinholing or glaze running.
• Fluidity: Crystals melt and flow more intensely than the base glaze. When applying the final coat, use a brush to evenly distribute the crystals over the top two-thirds of the piece, avoiding the bottom third.
• Application: While the glaze is still wet, you can move the crystals with a brush to achieve a balanced coverage.
• Storage: When storing crystal glazes, you can keep them upside down – this will make it easier to redistribute the settled crystals next time.

Stoneware Matte glazes

Color Shift: Glazes SW-136 Weathered Blue, SW-137 Storm Gray and SW-138 Lemon Meringue are unique in that their appearance changes depending on the number of coats applied. One coat will allow the base color to show through more, while additional coats will increase the mottling effect and variations of white tones.

Frequently asked questions:

Which Stoneware glaze should I choose?

The variety of Mayco Stoneware glazes is vast, which can make it difficult to choose. To make it easier, we have categorized them into groups based on similar characteristics and performance:

Crystals: This is a unique line featuring colored crystals embedded directly in the glaze. During firing, these glass granules melt and bloom, creating stunning bursts of color and variations.

Mattes: This group is characterized by a wide variety of colors and properties. Some matte glazes offer solid and opaque coverage, while others are semi-transparent and variegated.

Ice Glazes (SW-201 – SW-212): These are transparent colors that are perfect for covering designs or textures. When applied thickly, the color becomes richer but remains transparent. Important: apply 3 coats using the cross-hatching method (changing brush direction) to avoid streaking. The colors SW-203 Amber Topaz, SW-204 Root Beer and SW-210 Emerald Green may run slightly if applied heavily, especially on vertical surfaces.

Opals (SW-250 – SW-255): These are semi-transparent glazes whose color and density depend on the thickness of the coat. When applied heavily, they become opaque, rich, and beautifully pool in recesses and break over edges. When applied thinly, they remain transparent.

Gloss (SW-501– SW-510): Bright, opaque colors with a high gloss finish. They are ideal for detailed decoration or solid, vibrant coverage at stoneware temperatures.

Texture (SW-403 – SW-406): Creates a unique, three-dimensional surface. We offer two types:
– Mudcrack: A soft matte surface that, during firing, develops a pattern similar to cracked earth, revealing the clay underneath (available in black and white).
– Magma: A dry, cratered surface that expands during firing to create a coarse texture (available in dark and light).

Flux (SW-401 and SW-402): These are glaze enhancers designed to be used in combination with other glazes. They increase the fluidity of other glazes, help reveal hidden hues, and create additional color movement.

Washes (SW-301 – SW-305): These are highly concentrated oxides. They can be used on their own or in combination with other glazes. Each one performs differently, making testing essential.

Can I mix Stoneware glazes with other glazes?

Mayco Stoneware glazes are distinguished by the fact that they can be confidently layered, either over or under other glazes, to achieve unique results.
1. Stoneware Classic and Matte
These glazes are exceptionally well-suited for layering. Although their properties vary, certain colors are highly valued for their compatibility and predictability in combinations.
Recommended colors for layering (both as a base coat and a top coat):
SW-104 Black Walnut
SW-106 Alabaster
SW-108 Green Tea
SW-110 Oyster
SW-128 Cordovan
SW-165 Lavender Mist
SW-166 Norse Blue
SW-167 Sand and Sea
SW-168 Coral Sands
SW-172 Macadamia
SW-173 Amber Quartz
SW-174 Leather
2. Stoneware Crystal
Crystal glazes are also excellent for layering. Typically, the crystals 'break through' other glazes, adding extra dynamism and an element of surprise to the combination. They are successfully used both as a base coat and as a top coat.
3. Stoneware Gloss
All glazes in this line can be layered with other products.
TIP: If you want the gloss color to be as visible as possible, apply it as top coat.
Characteristics: When used as a base coat, these glazes will not negatively affect the top glaze; however, due to their high stability, they may become 'hidden' under other layers.
Glaze flow: These gloss glazes add virtually no additional flow to combinations.

How should I apply Stoneware glazes?

Apply 2-3 coats. Be sure to let the previous coat dry completely before applying the next one.

How should I fire Stoneware glazes?

All „Mayco Stoneware“ glazes have a wide firing range – from cone 5 to cone 10 .
Firing schedule: To achieve the wonderful variations of these glazes, no special firing schedule is required. programoThe glazes are designed to naturally react and transform during a standard firing.
Examples in the pictures: All examples seen in Mayco promotional brochures and on their website are performed on white stoneware clay and fired to cone 6 , unless noted otherwise.
Variations: You can expect some variations in the results, depending on:
Glaze application thickness;
The color and composition of the chosen clay body;
Firing atmosphere (oxidation or reduction);
Exact firing temperature.
High temperature (cone 10): Results obtained from firing to Cone 10 in a reduction atmosphere (e.g., gas kilns) can be found on the Mayco website, in the Stoneware brochure, or on the product label itself.

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