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Best Selling Clays
Explore our most popular clay bodies, including porcelain and stoneware. Compare textures, fired colours and recommended uses to find a clay suited to your next pottery project.
Choosing a Clay Body for Your Project
Looking for clay for wheel throwing, handbuilding or a different surface finish? Our best-selling selection brings together popular choices to help you find a body that suits how you work.
Start with what you’d like to make. Compare each product’s recommended uses, then consider whether you’d prefer a smooth surface for detailed decoration or a textured finish with more character. Check that the clay’s recommended firing range is compatible with your chosen glaze.
If you’re trying an unfamiliar body, begin with a small piece before committing to a larger batch. See how it handles and how your decoration responds to firing, and keep notes for future projects.
Understanding Clay Preparation Methods
When comparing our prepared clay bodies, look out for P, S and PB markings. These refer to different manufacturing methods and can help you understand how each body has been prepared.
P: Panmilling
Our panmilling technique offers close control over grog additions and water content, particularly in grogged bodies. Occasional larger or extraneous particles may occur within raw ingredients or during processing.
S: Sliphousing
Sliphoused bodies are mixed in slip form, finely sieved and pressed to remove water before pugging. This approach favours uniformity and smooth textures, although grog can settle during preparation and moisture content can be harder to control.
PB: Plastic Blending
Plastic blending combines the purity of a sliphoused body with closely controlled grog additions. Alongside these preparation details, refer to each product’s description when deciding which clay to try.
Why Choose Potclays?
With over 90 years’ experience supplying ceramic materials, Potclays can help you choose materials for your next pottery project, whether you’re learning a new technique or refining your process. Explore our glazes, tools and equipment alongside your clay selection to prepare for making and finishing your work.
Still weighing up your options? Contact us for guidance. Tell us what you’re planning to make, how you’ll form it and your intended firing temperature so we can help you choose a suitable clay.
