How to Stain Clay Using Mason Stains

Mason stains are concentrated ceramic colorants that allow you to create vibrant, customized clay bodies. This guide will walk you through the process of staining clay using four gorgeous colors.

Materials You'll Need

  • Plain clay (white stoneware or porcelain works best)

  • Mason stains. I usually use these 4 stains:

    • 6020 Manganese Alumina Pink

    • 6242 Bermuda

    • 6319 Lavender

    • 6368 Copen Blue

  • Digital scale

  • Dust mask

  • Gloves

  • Mixing container

  • Water spray bottle

Important Notes on Clay & Firing

  • Mason stains achieve their best color results at cone 6 firing temperature

  • Ensure your clay body can be fired to cone 6 for optimal results

  • Always use white clay for true colors — beige or dark clay bodies will significantly alter the final color appearance

  • The colors shown in this guide are based on white porcelain clay

Understanding Color Intensity

The amount of stain you add determines the color intensity:

  • Saturated color: 18% pigment

  • Medium tone: 10% pigment

  • Pale/pastel: 5% pigment

What does this mean in practice? For every 1000g of clay:

  • Saturated pink = 180g of pink pigment

  • Medium pink = 100g of pink pigment

  • Pale pink = 50g of pink pigment

mason stains ceramics

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Prepare your workspace

    Work in a well-ventilated area

    Wear your dust mask and gloves

    Cover your work surface with canvas or plastic

  2. Weigh your clay

    • Start with a manageable amount (500g-1000g)

    • Use dry clay or slightly damp clay for best results

  3. Calculate your stain amount

    • For 500g of clay at medium intensity (10%): 500g × 0.10 = 50g of stain

  4. Mix the stain

    • Weigh your chosen stain carefully

    • Add the stain to a small amount of water to create a slurry

    • Mix thoroughly to eliminate clumps

  5. Incorporate into clay

    • Add the stain slurry to your clay

    • Mix thoroughly by wedging or kneading

    • Continue until the color is evenly distributed

    • If the clay becomes too wet, allow it to dry slightly

  6. Creating marbled effects

    • For marbled clay, don't mix completely

    • Gently fold colored clay into plain clay

    • Stop when you achieve desired marbling pattern

Color Combinations

Try these beautiful combinations:

  • Pink + Lavender for soft floral tones

  • Bermuda + Copen Blue for ocean-inspired hues

  • All four colors for a vibrant rainbow marble

Tips for Success

  • Always wear a mask when handling dry stains

  • Add stain gradually for more control

  • Test small batches before making large amounts

  • Keep colored clay wrapped in plastic when not in use

  • Label your colored clay with stain type and percentage

Troubleshooting

  • Uneven color: Continue wedging until color is uniform

  • Too pale: Add additional stain in small increments

  • Too intense: Mix with plain clay to dilute

  • Clay too wet: Allow to dry on plaster or canvas

  • Clay too dry: Lightly mist with water while mixing

Now you're ready to create beautiful colored clay for your next project!