Stroke & Coat® is a line of richly pigmented, thick glazes designed for both painterly brushstrokes and solid, opaque coverage. These glazes allow you to create intricate, detailed designs—you can place colors close together without worrying that they will bleed or run.

When using the majolica technique, Stroke & Coat® glazes do not run or mix with the colors underneath them. All colors in this line can be mixed together to create unique shades. To achieve a watercolor-style effect, the glaze can be diluted with water. Since the color of the liquid glaze matches the color after firing, potters can easily visualize the final result even during the creative process.

An exceptionally versatile glaze

Stroke & Coat® can serve as the focal point of your piece or perfectly complement other glazes. It is the ideal choice for pottery studios, classes, hobbyists, or professional artists.

General Use

One coat of Mayco Stroke & Coat® creates a semi-transparent finish, and each additional coat increases the opacity. For an even finish, we recommend applying 2–3 coats. Allow the previous coat to dry before applying the next one.

Stroke & Coat® glazes fire to a glossy finish even without the use of a clear glaze. However, if you prefer, you can apply a clear glaze as well. When applied to damp or skin-hard clay and fired to Cone 04, the colors will remain vibrant, and you’ll save a lot of time. During this single-firing process, we recommend leaving a small area (such as the back or bottom of the piece) unglazed to allow gases to escape from the clay. In this case, limit the amount of glaze to 2 layers (including decorative elements).

Firing temperature

Stroke & Coat® glazes are formulated to reach their peak at the 06/05 cone (approximately 999–1046°C). Most glazes in this line retain their color even at higher temperatures—this is particularly true of red, orange, yellow, green, and blue hues.

The properties of each specific color and any changes that may occur when fired at Cone 6 (approximately 1222°C) are listed on the product page. When fired at medium or high temperatures, the details of the design may lose some of their clarity. We recommend conducting tests with your specific clay and in your kiln before use.

Stroke & Coat® glazes are certified as non-toxic, safe for contact with food, and suitable for use on tableware when used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Uses and Techniques

• Application: Can be applied with a brush, sponge, bottle with a cap, stencils, or screen printing screens.
• Marbling Technique: This effect can be achieved by diluting Stroke & Coat® or Foundations® glazes and tilting the piece from side to side—gravity will allow the colors to blend together.
• Watercolor style: To achieve a traditional, painterly look, dilute the glazes with water. Use these layers to create soft transitions. To keep the drawing intact, apply wax on top.

Important Notes on Specific Colors

• Chrome-Tin: Colors SC013 Grapel, SC033 Fruit of the Vine, and SC085 Orkid contain chromium and tin pigments, so they may be sensitive to non-toxic transparent glazes (a whitish, cloudy layer may form). Before use, conduct a test by applying a thin layer of transparent glaze over these colors.
• Opacity: The SC070 Pink-a-Dot shade is more transparent than other Stroke & Coat® glazes. More than 3 coats may be needed to achieve full opacity.

Interaction with Other Glazes

• Stability: When fired at low temperatures, Stroke & Coat® does not run or blend with other glazes. You can apply them side by side or layer them without losing the contours of your design.
• Matte Surfaces: If you apply one coat of Stroke & Coat® over a matte glaze, it will fire to a matte finish. If you apply 2–3 coats, Stroke & Coat® will remain glossy.

Transparent Matte Glaze: If you apply a matte transparent glaze (SW002 Matte Clear), the Stroke & Coat® glaze will not become matte.