How to Paint Ceramic at Home

Learning how to paint ceramic at home is a great skill for any crafters toolbox! Customize pieces for yourself, or paint something special for a simple handmade gift idea. And with a variety of paint colors available, your design options are endless.

Alright internet, I’m sure you’ve seen DIYS floating around with alternative ways for painting ceramic/china/glass etc, but this is the method that I’ve returned to time and time again. Because once you have the right paint, it’s pretty straight forward.

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What’s the Best Ceramic Paint?

The type of paint needed to paint ceramic depends on the finish of what you’re painting. If your items is glazed (like a mug), you’ll need Porcelain paint. If you’d like to use this technique on mugs or plates, be sure to use a food safe paint (Porecelaine 150 will work).

I used Vitrea 160 because I had it on hand from painting glass previously. I do think the Vitrea is best for glass overall for long term wear. (Note that’s the paint pictured above).

Keep in mind that no food should come in contact with any painted items to fully be food safe. So if you want to paint a bowl, stick to the outside. And if you’re painting a mug, try to avoid the inside as well as the lip.

How to Paint Ceramic

1. Apply your design. Tape off the area you’d like to paint, or start free handing your design.  The paint can still scratch off at this phase so be careful; this also means you can make minor touchups at this time since the paint can be removed.

2. Once you’re happy with your design, let dry fully then overnight (at least 24 hours). 

3. Place your dish in the oven for 40 minutes at 325°F. Don’t take out of the oven until completely cool otherwise you risk the chance of your dish breaking. It’s best to turn off the oven then leave your dish inside until the oven is no longer warm.

Tips for Painting Ceramic

• The paint is going to be some what translucent. If you want it to be more solid, choose a simple design that will be easy to apply a second coat to.
  
• If you use tape, be sure to remove it before the paint dries. If you don’t, there’s a chance the paint will peel up with the tape.
  
• The less your final design has to come in contact with water, the longer it will last. Handwashing with a gentle sponge is always preferred.