Pottery Slip Trailers & Bottles
Pottery slip trailers are tools used in ceramics to apply a liquid clay known as slip to pottery in a controlled way, creating lines and patterns on the surface of the project. This allows for fine, detailed decoration with tools similar to those used in cake decoration. Using the slip trailing method to decorate a ceramic piece can help to create physical and visual texture, with the slip becoming a part of the pot once it has been fired. These applicators are often bottles or bulbs with a specific-sized tip, nib, or nozzle head for producing decoration and are often found among potters' supplies, no matter the skill level of the potter in question.
Decorate with Precision Thanks to Slip Trailers
Pottery slip trailers add lines, patterns, texture, and tactility to the decorating process, allowing for personalisation or creative expression in a project. Clay slip can be applied using similar techniques to those of glaze, however, slip trailers tend to offer an unmatched level of precision when applying the slip by hand. Slip trailers can also be used to apply underglaze.
Find bottles, writers' tips of various sizes, and bulbs with various heads available in our range.
How Does a Slip Trailer Work?
Slip trailer applicators use a fine-pointed tip to apply coloured slip to a project that is either leather-hard or bone dry. It can also be applied to bisqueware. Certain heads differ in size, from large to small, and others offer fine precision, allowing for writing or other similar designs on the clay surface. This decorating technique is often used on commemorative pieces.
It may be worthwhile to practice using this piece of equipment on a slab of leather-hard clay before attempting to apply it to a project, as finding the right applicator and tip is an important part of the potter's process when applying slip.
Why Choose Potclays?
At Potclays, we're the go-to place for potters' supplies. From raw materials to tools and accessories for painting, texture application, and more, we're on hand to help potters of every skill level, from beginners to professionals. Need something specific? We can also provide major pieces of equipment like kilns.
We're happy to help with any bespoke needs or questions you may have. Get in touch with us today.
