Painting a mug is one of the most accessible and rewarding ways to get started with creative ceramics. In spaces like La Pintoràmica, the experience begins with a blank piece and evolves into a personal design, with expert guidance to explore freely, simple techniques, and a clear process from brush to kiln.
1) Before you start: materials, safety, and choosing your mug
What paint is used (Stroke & Coat and ceramic pencils)
The workshop works exclusively with Mayco Stroke & Coat®. When properly fired, it is dinnerware safe. Therefore, you can decorate up to the rim. It also works very well with 2–3 thin layers on bisque.
Ceramic pencils are also used for signatures and fine lines. In food-contact areas, these marks are placed under clear glaze to ensure a smooth surface.
Safe drinking areas and how to protect the rim
With properly fired Stroke & Coat, there’s no need to leave a 1 cm gap. Still, it’s best not to overload the rim with tiny details. If you want a perfect edge, apply painter’s tape, paint, and remove it when touch-dry.
Preparation checklist (cleaning, templates, and layers)
- Neteja del bescuit: passar una esponja lleugerament humida per retirar pols i partícules. No usar alcohol ni desengreixants (podrien tancar porus).
- Color test: shake the jar and make a test stroke in a hidden area to check coverage and tone.
- Design plan: prepare templates, tape for straight lines, and cut-out stickers if you want to create masks or silhouettes.
- Layers: apply 2–3 thin coats, letting each layer dry before the next to achieve even opacity; for soft effects, use washes by adding a few drops of water.
- Details: lines and signatures with ceramic pencils or fine-tip bottles; for pointillism, use the end of the brush or fine nozzles.
- Firing: hand in the piece for kiln firing at 1,100 °C following the studio’s protocol (no cold sealants are used).
How to choose your palette: colors and emotions
The palette improves when it connects with the intention behind the gift. Get inspired by the ceramic colors and emotions guide and choose 2–3 main tones.
2) Step-by-step guide to painting your mug (from design to kiln)
First, sketching and outlining the main areas of your design helps organize the composition. To get clean edges, it's a good idea to protect them with painter’s tape. Next, apply a light first coat without aiming for full coverage — the goal is to lay down the tone and prepare the surface for the next layer. Then, apply a second and, if needed, a third coat until the color is solid and even. After that, add the details —lines, dots, or text— using a fine brush or a ceramic pencil; in food-contact areas, these marks will be under the glaze. Once the paint is touch-dry, carefully remove the tape to define the edge. Finally, fire the piece in the kiln at 1,100 °C; to avoid thermal shock, let it cool down inside the kiln.
Foolproof techniques
To begin with, sponging creates soft backgrounds with very little load and gentle touches; therefore, it’s ideal for avoiding over-saturation. Similarly, dotting produces regular patterns that add volume and rhythm without complications. Finally, gradients work best when two neighboring tones are blended wet-on-wet in sections; this prevents harsh lines and streaks.
Quick techniques to switch things up
For example, sgraffito offers great creative potential: apply three coats, let them dry, and scratch your design to reveal the base color. Likewise, splattering (using a toothbrush inside a box) adds controlled energy. Additionally, marbling blends similar tones and creates elegant streaks that work as a subtle base.
On the other hand, tape allows for stripes, chevrons, and grids with touch-dry removal to get clean edges. Similarly, stencils and stickers act as masks to easily create crisp silhouettes. Likewise, stamps repeat patterns evenly and stand out in color over color (especially dark over light).
To finish, you can soften brushstrokes with washes (a few drops of water). If you’re aiming for fine lines, use a fine tip or ceramic pencil. For dots, use the end of the brush for larger ones and a nozzle for smaller ones. Finally, speckles and glitter add texture: one layer is subtle; up to three enhances the effect.
Firing at 1,100 °C: key points
First, begin the gradual temperature rise with the kiln cold to stabilize the curve. Next, maturing at 1,100 °C ensures a glassy, durable finish. Then, it’s essential to cool inside the kiln to prevent stress and microcracks. Finally, keep in mind that color may vary slightly depending on thickness, placement, and load; therefore, it’s a good idea to run small color tests.
Common mistakes and solutions
If you notice thick layers, switch to thin coats with drying between layers. In case of grease or dust, clean the bisque with a damp sponge before painting. If lines bleed, offload the brush more and work on a dry surface. To avoid thermal shock, start with a cold kiln and let it cool inside. Finally, for smudges or unwanted marks, do the following: – if they’re fresh, erase them with a slightly damp sponge; – if they’re dry, use fine sandpaper (grit 400–600), remove the dust, and repaint with thin layers.
3) Durability and care: dishwasher, microwave, and maintenance
Quick table: system and resistance
| System used | FIXAT | Final gloss | Daily use | Dishwasher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stroke & Coat (color) + ceramic pencil under glaze | Ceramic kiln at 1,100 °C | High (vitrified) | Excellent | Yes, following the studio protocol |
Good habit: keep the rim surface smooth and continuous for greater drinking comfort and better aesthetic aging.
Cleaning and touch-ups over time
- Washing in a domestic dishwasher following the studio’s guidelines; to maximise durability, avoid abrasive products.
- If a small aesthetic defect appears before firing, it can be corrected (see the errors section). After firing, the surface becomes vitrified and requires no sealants.
4) Gift and group ideas: personalize with intention
A personalized mug communicates time, care, and meaning. Designs with initials, dates, and simple textured motifs work especially well.
Names, dates, and motifs that work well
- Bold initial + background with dotting or sponging
- Important date on the back of the handle
- Minimalist botanical motifs (leaves, branches, dots)
- Color duos with personal meaning (refer to the colors and emotions guide linked above)
Team building and creative activities in Barcelona
Looking for a team activity? Check out the ceramic team building in Barcelona. The activity includes designs for all levels and personalized results.
Creative bachelorette parties (ceramics in Barcelona)
For groups, it’s an original and memorable experience. Discover the bachelorette party in ceramics (Barcelona) and create mugs with initials, wedding palettes, or group phrases.
Frequently asked questions about how to paint ceramic mugs
Al taller s’utilitza exclusivament Stroke & Coat (color), complementat amb llapisos ceràmics per a detalls fins que queden sota esmalt.
Sí. N’hi ha prou de portar la referència impresa; es transfereix amb suavitat i es treballa a sobre amb capes fines.
La cocció es realitza a 1.100 °C, amb pujada controlada i refredament dins del forn.
Les peces cuites a 1.100 °C amb Stroke & Coat i superfície llisa solen resistir el rentaplats domèstic seguint les pautes del taller.
Si el traç és fresc, es pot esborrar amb una esponja lleugerament humida. Si ja s’ha assecat, es corregeix llijant suaument la zona (gra 400–600), retirant la pols i repintant en capes fines.