Ceramic Stains can be used to color glazes, underglazes, engobes, slips and clay bodies. The percentage of stain required in a formula may range from 1-15% depending on the depth of color desired: 5-10% is optimal for most applications. In general, stains are intermixable to create new colors or shades. Certain materials may interfere with stain color development. For instance: free Zinc in a glaze formula that a stain is added to or applied under or over, can interfere with the development of certain stain colors. Conversely, a percentage of Calcium Oxide is required to stabilize some stains for best color development. Please refer to the “Reference Codes” that accompany the Stain listings for best results. Remember, as with all ceramic materials, testing is the key to success.

Spectrum Stains
Spectrum Glazes, Inc. offers a beautiful pallet of carefully formulated and tested Ceramic Stains. Spectrum Stains are conveniently packaged in 4 Oz (113.5 gm.) and 16 Oz. (454 gm.) wide-mouth plastic jars with tight-fitting screw caps. These jars are perfect for both dry and liquid storage. Spectrum Stains are intermixable, for the most part, allowing endless variations of shade and color, however Stain #’s 2082, 2083, 2084, 2085 and 2090 should only be mixed with each other as they may not perform as expected when combined with the other colors.

To lighten any color, Spectrum suggests adding White Stain #2000 rather than reducing the percentage of color used to prevent a washed-out look. All Spectrum Stains are stable to Cone 6, many to Cone 10, and most will work in Reduction, but testing is recommended to determine the formulas and percentages necessary for success. All Spectrum Stains are Lead Free but NOT A.P. Non-Toxic. Like all other Ceramic Stains they carry a Health Label as an inhalation hazard. Any new formula that includes a Stain, or any existing formula changed by the addition of a stain, must be tested to determine if it is food safe.

Spectrum Stain Bases
A tremendous advantage of Spectrum over other Stain manufacturers is the availability of (2) Stain Bases that allow you to create custom Underglaze and Majolica colors instantly. Spectrum’s #1050 Underglaze Base and #1060 Overglaze/Majolica Base are formulated to provide a base media to which the 2000-Series Stains are added. Both Bases contain ingredients that make them brush-on smoothly and easily while keeping the Stains evenly suspended. They are a pleasure to work with, giving body and workability to your colors that a plain Stain + water mixture will never have.

#1050 Underglaze Base
#1050 Base contains some frit which acts as a flux resulting in an underglaze that may be applied to either greenware or bisque. For color intensity similar

to the 500-Series, mix 1 Part Dry Stain to 2 Parts Liquid Base (or 1/4 Lb. Stain to 1/2 Pt. Base). Deeper colors will require less Stain: more may be used if necessary - test to determine the correct proportions for your application and taste. The #1050 Base is rated to Cone 6 (refer to the Spectrum Stain Chart for of the 2000-Series Stains used with the #1050 Base at both Cone 06 and Cone 6). It can be fired up to Cone 10 but will begin to flux more. Testing is recommended!

#1060 Overglaze/Majolica Base
#1060 contains a little more frit to insure a good melt and a smooth glossy surface when applied over a low fire “Majolica” background glaze. Start testing at 1/4 Lb. Stain to 1/2 Pt. Base and adjust to suit. #1060 can also be fired to Cone 6 and higher, but the increased fluidity of High-Fire glazes used under the colors will cause design work to “move” and “run” more than at the low temperatures. Experiment with Satins and Mattes as background glazes at higher temperatures for interesting new effects. Testing is recommended!

With either Base, try combining more than one Stain, in various proportions, to equal the ¼ Lb. Stain that you add to ½ Pt. Base to create custom colors. Three important reminders:

Spectrum Stain Discounts:
Please note that individual prices for stains shown below and on other glaze pages are retail prices. After your order is placed on-line, we will contact you with the total of your order with your Bailey Discount applied. The more you buy, the more you save!

(2) Dinnerware safe. Contains some heavy metals and/or cadmium compounds but passes test for lead and cadmium release.

(3) Contains no lead or cadmium ingredients. May invite bacterial growth due to glaze fissures. Not recommended for surfaces which contact food or drink. Certified AP Non-Toxic.

(5) Dinnerware safe. Contains no lead. Contains encapsulated cadmium pigment. Certified AP Non-Toxic and conforms to ASTM D-4236.

Ø K-6: These glazes carry an ACMI CL "Cautions Required" label. Although they may be Lead-Free, they are not AP Non-Toxic due to other material content and are restricted from school use with children from Pre-K thru Grade 6.

Warning none of these products should be taken internally; all contain ingredients not suitable for ingestion or inhalation.