We all know that it is easier to draw on a flat surface than it is to draw on a curved surface. That's why ceramic artists have come up with all kinds of clever ways to transfer images from a sheet of paper onto pots.
In this post, we have another one of those clever techniques: DIY carbon paper! In this excerpt from the November 2026 issue of Ceramics Monthly, Jenn Cole turns ordinary graph paper and Amaco Velvet underglaze into homemade, reusable carbon paper that transfers crisp, pencil-like lines onto leather-hard clay. The secret is timing your slip just right so its moisture pulls the underglaze from the paper. –Jennifer Poellot Harnetty, editor
This process creates a reusable transfer paper for copying images and imprinting underglaze onto a clay surface. To create homemade carbon paper, paint three thin coats of Amaco Velvet underglaze onto graph paper, letting each coat dry completely between the layers (1). Once dry, cut the paper into the desired shape, and it is ready to use!
The type of paper affects the quality of print. I use Staples brand 8½ × 11-inch graph pads. It is a standard-weight writing pad that comes in a pack of six. This paper seems to be the sweet spot between durability and water resistance. Any thin paper with a slightly waxy surface should also work.
For this technique, apply a layer of slip to the clay piece and let it set up until it is dry to the touch, but still feels slightly cold. Place your template on the piece, with the dried underglaze side touching the slipped clay surface, then draw or trace over the desired image (2). The moisture from the slip will act as a transfer agent, pulling the dry underglaze from the paper to the piece. If the slip is too dry, the image will be light or not transfer. If it is too wet, the print will smudge or appear blurry. Just like carbon-copy paper, when pulled away, only the traced pattern will be imprinted on the slip. This method leaves a smooth, pencil-like line quality without needing an underglaze pencil (3). Try using a ballpoint pen for thicker lines and a mechanical pencil for very thin lines. Let the paper templates dry out completely before reusing or reapplying underglaze. Happy decorating!
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Published Nov 9, 2026
This process creates a reusable transfer paper for copying images and imprinting underglaze onto a clay surface. To create homemade carbon paper, paint three thin coats of Amaco Velvet underglaze onto graph paper, letting each coat dry completely between the layers (1). Once dry, cut the paper into the desired shape, and it is ready to use!
The type of paper affects the quality of print. I use Staples brand 8½ × 11-inch graph pads. It is a standard-weight writing pad that comes in a pack of six. This paper seems to be the sweet spot between durability and water resistance. Any thin paper with a slightly waxy surface should also work.
For this technique, apply a layer of slip to the clay piece and let it set up until it is dry to the touch, but still feels slightly cold. Place your template on the piece, with the dried underglaze side touching the slipped clay surface, then draw or trace over the desired image (2). The moisture from the slip will act as a transfer agent, pulling the dry underglaze from the paper to the piece. If the slip is too dry, the image will be light or not transfer. If it is too wet, the print will smudge or appear blurry. Just like carbon-copy paper, when pulled away, only the traced pattern will be imprinted on the slip. This method leaves a smooth, pencil-like line quality without needing an underglaze pencil (3). Try using a ballpoint pen for thicker lines and a mechanical pencil for very thin lines. Let the paper templates dry out completely before reusing or reapplying underglaze. Happy decorating!
jenncoleceramics.com
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