Speedball Mid-Fire Glaze, 4-Ounce Sample Set, Assorted Colors, 12 Jars Review (2026)

Who this sampler is built for

This set targets potters firing in the mid-fire range who want to see how Speedball's glaze line performs on their own clay body before buying full-size containers. Each of the 12 jars holds 4 ounces, enough for several test tiles or a handful of small pots per color, so it works well for someone building a glaze reference wall or deciding which two or three colors to reorder in bulk. It is less suited to production potters who already know their palette and need volume, since dipping larger batches of ware will burn through the small jars fast. Students and hobbyists experimenting with layering and glaze combinations get the most value, since a dozen distinct looks in one box is a fast way to compare options side by side.

What is in the box and how it fires

The set includes 12 jars at 4 ounces each in assorted colors formulated for mid-fire, cone 5 to 6 oxidation firing, where several of the glazes are designed to produce mottled, reduction-like surface effects even in an electric kiln without a reduction atmosphere. Speedball markets the line as lead-free and certified dinnerware safe when fired and used as directed. Because the colors are preselected by the maker rather than chosen individually, you get a curated spread rather than picking your own dozen shades, which is convenient for discovery but means you cannot swap out a color you already own for one you do not.

Testing and applying the glazes

Brushing is the practical application method for these small jars, since there is not enough volume in a 4-ounce container to comfortably dip anything larger than a small test tile or cup. Two to three even coats are typical for solid coverage with brushed glazes, and letting each coat dry to the touch before adding the next helps avoid drips or uneven thickness. Because several colors in this set aim for mottled, variegated effects, thickness and application technique noticeably change the outcome, so keeping notes on coat count per test tile is worth the extra few minutes. Always fire test tiles in your own kiln before committing a finished piece, since kiln atmosphere and shelf position can shift how the reduction-look effects develop.

Comparing it with other glaze sets

Next to the Mayco Stroke and Coat Ceramic Glaze Kit, which ships as 12 smaller 2-ounce bottles aimed more at brush decorating with reliable, consistent color, this Speedball set leans into the variegated, less predictable finishes that some potters specifically want for atmospheric depth. A single-color option like AMACO Potter's Choice Ancient Copper in a full pint makes more sense once you already know a shade works and need volume for real production, rather than sampling. If your priority is one dependable color at larger volume, a dedicated pint is the better buy, but for exploring what mid-fire mottling looks like across a dozen options, this sampler is a reasonable low-commitment starting point.

Bottom line

This sampler earns its keep as a discovery tool for mid-fire potters curious about Speedball's mottled glaze effects, giving enough of each color to properly test tiles and small pieces without buying a dozen full pints upfront. The tradeoff is real: once you find a favorite among the 12, you will need to buy that color separately in a larger size, and the preselected palette will not satisfy potters chasing a very specific shade not included in the set. For anyone building out a mid-fire glaze library from scratch, it is a sensible first purchase.

Frequently asked questions