Best Underglaze Transfers for Printed Patterns on Pottery
Underglaze transfers are sheets of thin paper printed with underglaze. You dampen leather-hard clay, lay the sheet printed side down, wet the back and peel the paper away, leaving the pattern on the pot ready for bisque firing and a clear glaze. The paper and the method are much the same from pack to pack, so what separates a good buy from a frustrating one is the pattern itself: how large the motifs are, whether they repeat or stand alone, and whether the print is a single blue or black or full color. Large motifs drawn for vases get cut in half on a mug, while small scattered designs can be trimmed out and placed one at a time. Sheet count matters too, because one full sheet decorates several pots and bulk packs bring down the price per sheet. This guide compares seven packs of full-size sheets, each about 14.6 x 20.5 inches, by motif, color, sheet count and what the listings say about how to use them.
The short version
We compared 7 picks. Our scores range from 7.0 to 7.8 out of 10.
- Best overall:GLASSWINDS 10PCS Blue Rustic Underglaze Transfers for Pottery,14.6x20.5IN. Highest overall score in this guide at 7.8/10.
- Also great value:SUPERDANT 4PCS Wild Flowers Underglaze Paper Transfer Plants Transfer Paper for Clay Ceramic Porcelain Under Glaze Transfers for Pottery Enamel Decals Black Underglaze Decal Papers Handcrafted Gifts. Value score of 8/10, overall 7.6/10.
- Solid build:GLASSWINDS 10PCS Black Vivid Underglaze Transfers for Pottery,14.6x20.5in. Build and materials score of 7/10, overall 7.4/10.
- Feature-rich:Primst 6PCS Pottery Art DIY Stickers Ceramic Clay Transfer Paper Flower Paper Porcelain Glaze Underglaze Transfers for Pottery Overglaze Enamel Waterslide Decal (Multicolor). Features score of 7/10, overall 7.2/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
GLASSWINDS 10PCS Blue Rustic Underglaze Transfers for Pottery,14.6x20.5IN
Ten blue transfer sheets, each about 20.5 x 14.6 inches, in ten different designs that include dandelions, owls, flowers, leaves, feathers and chickens. A wide spread of motifs in one pack.
Our score7.8/10Budget
SUPERDANT 4PCS Wild Flowers Underglaze Paper Transfer Plants Transfer Paper for Clay Ceramic Porcelain Under Glaze Transfers for Pottery Enamel Decals Black Underglaze Decal Papers Handcrafted Gifts
Four black transfer sheets of wild flowers and grasses, each 37 x 52 cm (14.6 x 20.5 inches). The listing says individual patterns can be cut out and used separately, which suits mugs and small bowls.
Our score7.6/10Budget
#1Ten blue transfer sheets, each about 20.5 x 14.6 inches, in ten different designs that include dandelions, owls, flowers, leaves, feathers and chickens. A wide spread of motifs in one pack.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Ten sheets in ten different styles, so one pack gives a varied library of blue motifs to cut from.
- + Each sheet measures about 20.5 x 14.6 inches, large enough to decorate several pots per design.
- + Listing gives a clear method: wet the surface, lay the colored side down, moisten, let dry, then peel.
- - Described as large-scale designs, so some motifs will need trimming to fit a mug or small cup.
- - The listing does not state a firing range or say which clear glazes suit the blue print.
#2Four black transfer sheets of wild flowers and grasses, each 37 x 52 cm (14.6 x 20.5 inches). The listing says individual patterns can be cut out and used separately, which suits mugs and small bowls.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Botanical line drawings that can be cut out stem by stem and arranged to fit the form.
- + Four sheets of 14.6 x 20.5 inches at a low pack price, a cheap way to try transfers.
- + Black print keeps the look simple under a clear glaze and sits well beside colored underglaze accents.
- - The listing notes it can only be used on unfired ware, so it is not for bisque or glazed pieces.
- - Only four sheets and one theme, so there is less variety than in the ten-sheet mixed packs.
#3Ten black transfer sheets, each about 20.5 x 14.6 inches, with ten designs that include bees, dogs, mushrooms, flowers and birds. Black line work shows clearly on white and buff clay under a clear glaze.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Ten different black designs in one pack, from bees and birds to mushrooms and flowers.
- + Full-size sheets of about 20.5 x 14.6 inches that can be cut into many individual motifs.
- + Black print gives strong contrast on light clay bodies and needs only a clear glaze over the top.
- - Priced above the blue ten-pack from the same brand for the same number of sheets.
- - No firing range is given, and the large designs may need cutting down for small forms.
#4Six multicolor transfer sheets in six patterns with a traditional Chinese floral style, each 20.8 x 14.5 inches. The pick for full-color prints rather than the single blue or black of most transfer packs.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 6/10
- + Multicolor prints in six different patterns, where most packs here are a single blue or black.
- + Sheets measure 20.8 x 14.5 inches and can be cut to any size to suit the piece.
- + Listing says the decals suit most unfired pottery and porcelain with a smooth surface, such as cups and plates.
- - Among the higher prices per sheet here: six sheets cost about what a ten-pack does.
- - The style is strongly traditional Chinese floral, which will not suit every potter's work.
#5Five blue transfer sheets printed with small hand-drawn fish, each 52 x 37 cm (20.5 x 14.6 inches). The listing warns the pattern may be quite large, so it works best on plates, platters and bigger bowls.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Five sheets of fish designs in classic blue, a natural fit for plates, bowls and serving pieces.
- + Each sheet is 20.5 x 14.6 inches, so five sheets cover a good run of pots.
- + Five sheets rather than the four in most themed packs, at a low pack price.
- - The maker says the pattern may be quite large and recommends it for larger items.
- - For unfired ware only, according to the listing, and no firing range is stated.
#6Four transfer sheets of mountains and pine trees in an ink wash painting style, each 37 x 52 cm (14.6 x 20.5 inches). A landscape that can wrap around tall forms, recommended by the maker for larger pieces.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Ink wash style landscape of mountains and trees, a scene rather than scattered motifs.
- + Sheets of 14.6 x 20.5 inches can be cut to size, and a long strip can wrap a vase or tall jar.
- + Listing gives the full method, including letting the paper dry on the pot before peeling.
- - The maker recommends it for larger items such as vases, plates and flower pots, not small cups.
- - A continuous scene is harder to cut into small standalone motifs than florals or animals.
#7Five blue transfer sheets with a primitive stripe pattern, each 52 x 37 cm (20.5 x 14.6 inches). A geometric repeat that can be cut into bands for rims and borders or laid as an all-over pattern.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Stripe pattern can be cut into strips for rim bands and borders, or used across a whole surface.
- + Five full sheets of 20.5 x 14.6 inches at a low pack price.
- + A repeating pattern hides joins and trimming better than large single motifs do.
- - One geometric design only, with no figurative motifs to place as a focal point.
- - The listing says it is for unfired ware only and gives no firing range.
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Described as large-scale designs, so some motifs will need trimming to fit a mug or small cup. (GLASSWINDS 10PCS Blue Rustic Underglaze...)
- The listing notes it can only be used on unfired ware, so it is not for bisque or glazed pieces. (SUPERDANT 4PCS Wild Flowers Underglaze Paper...)
- Priced above the blue ten-pack from the same brand for the same number of sheets. (GLASSWINDS 10PCS Black Vivid Underglaze...)
- Among the higher prices per sheet here: six sheets cost about what a ten-pack does. (Primst 6PCS Pottery Art DIY Stickers Ceramic...)
- The maker says the pattern may be quite large and recommends it for larger items. (SUPERDANT 5PCS Fish Underglaze Paper Transfer...)
- The maker recommends it for larger items such as vases, plates and flower pots, not small cups. (SUPERDANT 4PCS Mountain Underglaze Paper...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among underglaze transfers for printed patterns on pottery?
GLASSWINDS 10PCS Blue Rustic Underglaze Transfers for Pottery,14.6x20.5IN is our top overall pick. Ten blue transfer sheets, each about 20.5 x 14.6 inches, in ten different designs that include dandelions, owls, flowers, leaves, feathers and chickens. A wide spread of motifs in one pack. It earns our score of 7.8/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
SUPERDANT 4PCS Wild Flowers Underglaze Paper Transfer Plants Transfer Paper for Clay Ceramic Porcelain Under Glaze Transfers for Pottery Enamel Decals Black Underglaze Decal Papers Handcrafted Gifts is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. Four black transfer sheets of wild flowers and grasses, each 37 x 52 cm (14.6 x 20.5 inches). The listing says individual patterns can be cut out and used separately, which suits mugs and small bowls.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span $ price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Pottery Nest independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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