Dunzoom 12 Colors Underglaze Pencils for Ceramics Pottery with Pencil Case, Eraser, Sharpener - Fine Detailing, Sketching and Shading Review (2026)

Who this pencil set is for

Dunzoom's underglaze pencil set targets potters and ceramic decorators who want to draw rather than brush their designs, since a pencil gives far finer control over line weight than a brush loaded with liquid underglaze. The 12 color range covers enough of the spectrum for sketching, shading and adding accent details to greenware or bisque pieces without needing to mix colors from a smaller starter set. Because the kit bundles a sharpener, eraser and case together with the pencils, it works well for a beginner who does not yet own dedicated ceramic decorating tools, as well as for a classroom setting where a self-contained kit is easier to manage than loose supplies. It suits detail-oriented decorating rather than covering broad areas of color.

What is included and how the pencils behave

The set includes 12 pencils in a range of hues, along with a dedicated sharpener sized for the pencil diameter, an eraser for correcting stray lines before firing, and a case that keeps everything together and protected between sessions. Underglaze pencils work by depositing pigment into the surface of leather-hard clay, greenware or bisque, similar to drawing with a colored pencil on paper, which makes them well suited to fine detail, cross-hatching and shading effects that are difficult to achieve with a brush. Because the color you see on the unfired piece is not always the color that comes out of the kiln, doing a test firing on a spare tile with each color you plan to use is worth the extra step before committing to a final piece.

Using and caring for the set

Sharpen gently and only as needed, since the pigmented cores in underglaze pencils tend to be softer than a standard graphite pencil core and can snap under heavy sharpening pressure or a dull blade. Draw with light, controlled pressure on bisque, building up shading gradually in layers rather than pressing hard for instant coverage, since bisque is more abrasive than paper and will wear down a soft pencil tip quickly. Keep the pencils in their case when not in use to protect the tips from breaking loose in a drawer or tool bag, and store the set somewhere dry, since humidity can soften wooden pencil bodies over time the same way it affects any wood-cased pencil.

How it compares with other underglaze pencil sets

Against ChiPigments' 12-Pack full color underglaze pencils, which scores slightly higher in this category, Dunzoom answers back with the added convenience of a bundled sharpener, eraser and case rather than pencils alone. Compared with YOKKBRUN's 10-pencil set, Dunzoom offers two additional colors and the same accessory bundle, giving a bit more range for shading work. If your priority is the widest possible individual color range for advanced blending work rather than a complete starter kit, a larger specialty set from a dedicated ceramics brand may offer more individual shades than this 12 color bundle.

Verdict on this underglaze pencil set

This is a sensible, well-rounded pick for anyone starting fine detail work on bisque, since it bundles the accessories a beginner would otherwise have to source separately, matching its our score of 8.6 out of 10 here. It rewards patient, detail-focused decorating over broad color coverage. Potters who already own a sharpener and case and just want the widest possible range of individual underglaze pencil colors for advanced shading should compare per-color pricing against larger specialty sets, since this bundle's value comes mainly from the included accessories rather than sheer color count.

Frequently asked questions