Best Underglazes: Vivid, Stable Color for Every Firing Range
Updated How we research
Underglaze is the closest ceramics gets to painting: flat, stable color you can brush, sponge, stamp, or carve through, then seal under a clear glaze. The best underglazes fire true to the color in the jar, cover fully in two or three coats, and stay put through the firing range printed on the label. Weaker products shift hue at cone 6, go patchy over texture, or bubble under clear glaze. Because most potters build a palette rather than buying one bottle, set value and cross-brand consistency matter. This guide compares the underglaze lines we rate for color accuracy and workability, with picks for detail brushwork, broad coverage, sgraffito, and classroom-friendly sets.
The short version
We compared 8 picks. Our scores range from 5.2 to 9.2 out of 10.
- Best overall:AMACO Velvet Underglazes Set No. 4, 12 Jars. Highest overall score in this guide at 9.2/10.
- Also great value:Speedball 001085 Underglaze Sampler, 12 Pack. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Solid build:Penguin Pottery 8-Color Underglaze Set, 4 oz. Build and materials score of 7/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Feature-rich:Dunzoom Underglaze Kit, 12 Colors with Brushes. Features score of 8/10, overall 7.8/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This does not change our picks. Affiliate disclosure
AMACO Velvet Underglazes Set No. 4, 12 Jars
AMACO Velvet Underglazes 12-Count Set No. 4 in 2 oz jars, assorted colors rated Cone 05-10.
Penguin Pottery 8-Color Underglaze Set, 4 oz
Penguin Pottery's 8-Color underglaze variety set in 4oz jars, rated Cone 04 to Cone 6 for low and mid fire.
- 1.AMACO Velvet Underglazes Set No. 4, 12 Jars9.2/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 2.Penguin Pottery 8-Color Underglaze Set, 4 oz8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 3.Speedball 001085 Underglaze Sampler, 12 Pack8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 4.Creative Hobbies Ceramic Underglaze Set, 10 Colors7.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 5.Dunzoom Underglaze Kit, 12 Colors with Brushes7.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 6.Pasler Underglaze Set, 2 fl oz, 12 Colors7.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 7.Underglaze Pigment Set, 24 Colors6.3/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 8.Pottery Glaze Ceramic Pigment Set5.2/10See on AmazonCheck price
| # | Product | Our score | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AMACO Velvet Underglazes Set No. 4, 12 Jars | 9.2/10 | See on Amazon | Check price |
| 2 | Penguin Pottery 8-Color Underglaze Set, 4 oz | 8.4/10 | See on Amazon | Check price |
| 3 | Speedball 001085 Underglaze Sampler, 12 Pack | 8.4/10 | See on Amazon | Check price |
| 4 | Creative Hobbies Ceramic Underglaze Set, 10 Colors | 7.8/10 | See on Amazon | Check price |
| 5 | Dunzoom Underglaze Kit, 12 Colors with Brushes | 7.8/10 | See on Amazon | Check price |
| 6 | Pasler Underglaze Set, 2 fl oz, 12 Colors | 7.8/10 | See on Amazon | Check price |
| 7 | Underglaze Pigment Set, 24 Colors | 6.3/10 | See on Amazon | Check price |
| 8 | Pottery Glaze Ceramic Pigment Set | 5.2/10 | See on Amazon | Check price |
AMACO Velvet Underglazes 12-Count Set No. 4 in 2 oz jars, assorted colors rated Cone 05-10.
Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Velvet underglazes are a studio standard for reliable, even color
- + Cone 05-10 range covers low fire through high fire work
- + Satin velvet finish looks good even without a clear coat
- - Higher price than generic underglaze sets
- - Set No. 4 colors are fixed, so check the palette matches your style
Penguin Pottery's 8-Color underglaze variety set in 4oz jars, rated Cone 04 to Cone 6 for low and mid fire.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Cone 04 to Cone 6 rating works for both low and mid fire potters
- + 4oz jars hold twice as much as common sampler bottles
- + Clear firing range labeling makes planning easy
- - Only 8 colors, fewer than most sampler sets
- - Colors may shift slightly between low and mid fire
Speedball's 001085 underglaze sampler pack, 12 Pack of 2 oz multicolor jars for trying many shades.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 12 Pack sampler is a low-cost way to explore underglaze colors
- + Speedball is easy to find for refills in art stores
- + 2 oz jars are ideal for detail painting and small projects
- - Some colors may need several coats for full opacity
- - Check the cone range printed on each jar before firing
Creative Hobbies' set of 10 ceramic underglaze colors in 2 oz jars for clay, greenware or bisque.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Works on greenware or bisque, giving flexibility in when you decorate
- + Set of 10 colors covers a basic painting palette
- + 2 oz jars are a budget-friendly way to start with underglazes
- - Opacity varies, so some colors need multiple coats
- - Test fire a sample tile first to check color results
Dunzoom's underglaze for ceramics kit with a set of 12 colors in 2 oz jars, 6 paint brushes and a paint tray.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + 6 paint brushes and a paint tray make it a complete decorating kit
- + Set of 12 colors offers wide choice for painting designs
- + Great gift for beginners who have no brushes yet
- - Bundled brushes are basic and may shed bristles
- - Brand has little history compared with AMACO or Mayco
Pasler's underglaze set of 12 colors in 2 fl oz jars, concentrated opaque liquid underglaze for pottery bisque.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Concentrated opaque formula covers well in fewer coats
- + 12 Colors give a versatile palette for bisque decoration
- + Liquid consistency is easy to brush or thin for washes
- - No firing range stated, so test before production use
- - Lesser-known brand with limited color documentation
An underglaze color pigment set with 24 colors of ceramic pigments for pottery glaze painting, Style A.
Fit for the job 6/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 5/10 · Value 7/10
- + 24 colors give a very broad range for mixing and painting
- + Pigment form can be mixed into glazes or used as underglaze
- + Great for experimenting with custom color blends
- - Pigments need mixing with medium, so they are not ready to brush
- - Test fire a sample tile to confirm color and firing range
A concentrated underglaze color pigment set for pottery glaze and ceramic pigment painting.
Fit for the job 5/10 · Features and specs 5/10 · Build and materials 5/10 · Value 6/10
- + Concentrated pigments go a long way when mixed
- + Can tint glazes, slips and underglaze bases
- + Useful for potters who like mixing their own colors
- - Title gives no color count, weight or cone range
- - Requires mixing knowledge that beginners may lack
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.
- Higher price than generic underglaze sets (AMACO Velvet Underglazes Set No. 4, 12 Jars)
- Only 8 colors, fewer than most sampler sets (Penguin Pottery 8-Color Underglaze Set, 4 oz)
- Some colors may need several coats for full opacity (Speedball 001085 Underglaze Sampler, 12 Pack)
- Opacity varies, so some colors need multiple coats (Creative Hobbies Ceramic Underglaze Set, 10...)
- Bundled brushes are basic and may shed bristles (Dunzoom Underglaze Kit, 12 Colors with Brushes)
- No firing range stated, so test before production use (Pasler Underglaze Set, 2 fl oz, 12 Colors)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among underglazes: vivid, stable color for every firing range?
AMACO Velvet Underglazes Set No. 4, 12 Jars is our top overall pick. AMACO Velvet Underglazes 12-Count Set No. 4 in 2 oz jars, assorted colors rated Cone 05-10. It earns our score of 9.2/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
Penguin Pottery 8-Color Underglaze Set, 4 oz is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. Penguin Pottery's 8-Color underglaze variety set in 4oz jars, rated Cone 04 to Cone 6 for low and mid fire.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span See on Amazon 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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