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How is Sgraffito is Created on Pottery
Sgraffito: from the Italian word “sgraffiare,” meaning “to scratch”, is a traditional pottery decorating technique used to create striking, high-contrast designs. The process involves applying one or more layers of underglaze or colored slip onto leather-hard clay, then carefully scratching through the surface to reveal the natural clay color beneath. This controlled removal of the top layer allows potters to carve intricate images, textures, and patterns, producing crisp and visually dynamic results. Sgraffito can be used on functional pottery, tiles, or sculptural forms, and is ideal for both simple and complex designs.
Below are three with some steps demonstrating different levels of difficulty:
- Basic Sgraffito Project - Ceramic Tile
- Simple Sgraffito Project - Mug
- Complex Sgraffito Project - Urns
Tools and Materials
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Tools: For carving sgraffito designs, use fine-point wire styluses, loop tools, or mini ribbon sculpting tools. These allow for precise line work and controlled removal of underglaze or slip. Kemper Tools is a reliable source for high-quality carving instruments.
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Wire stylus tool: where to buy
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Mini ribbon sculpturing tool
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To refine your lines and keep the surface clean, use rubber shapers or wooden modeling tools to gently clear away burrs and rough edges. Once the carving is complete, thoroughly clean the surface with a dry brush to remove any loose debris before firing or glazing.
Clay: The clay should be at the leather-hard stage, firm enough to hold its shape under light pressure but not so dry that it cracks or resists carving. This stage provides the best surface for clean, sharp lines and prevents accidental gouging or smudging.
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Rubber shaper for clean up
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Leather hard clay (tile / coaster)
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Transfer design to tracing paper and then use sharp pencil and trace design to clay. Tracing paper is flexible and able to withstand the wet clay and multiple tracings. If using black underglaze, we like Amaco V-370 or LUG-1 (V-370 has slightly better coverage). Both perform well up to cone 6 glaze firing.
Basic Sgraffito Project - Tile
Design pattern on tracing paper
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Trace pattern on clay with pencil
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Lift tracing paper and verify
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Use underglaze or colored slip
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Apply 2-3 coats of underglaze, apply additional coats in alternate directions, and wait to dry before starting the scratching-off process. The tools and the pressure you decide to use are dependant on the affect you wish to see on the clay. If looking for rougher surface texture, push the tool a bit harder and take more material using more pointy tools. Scratches can have uniform or random patterns. NOTE: Only use a soft dry brush to remove debris to avoid damaging the colored areas.
Apply underglaze evenly (2 coats)
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Insure tracings can be seen
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Remove color where desired
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Unwanted colored areas removed
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Simple Sgraffito Project - Mug
The cups below use a slightly different technique than above. Only the traced pattern is painted on and the outline and lines within the pattern are scratched off.
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More Complex Sgraffito Project - Two Urns
This project shows how sgraffito can be used on curved surfaces with detailed designs. Working on urns requires careful planning, steady carving, and attention to drying stages. The steps below illustrate how layered underglaze and precise line work create bold, intricate patterns that elevate a simple vessel into a refined decorative piece..
| Finished Sgrafitto Pottery Examples |
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Finished Sgraffito tiles:
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