Expert: Sam Kelly - 9/2/2008

Question
I have a small catering business and I use large white ceramic serving pieces that I have purchased at different stores. I need to somehow paint my name on the pieces so that other catering companies don't take my dishes as theirs. We all use white serving pieces. Is there some way to paint my name on them and re-fire so the paint doesn't wash off? I would also need direction as to, if it is possible, how do I go about it?  Thank-You!!!!!!

Answer
Hi Corinne, I don't know in what part of the world you are in but there ia a process used by porcelain painters. In craft books as well as dedicated books on the subject you see people painting on already fired pieces, you also see people putting designs on glass.

You need to get in touch with one of these hobby groups or contact your closest pottery/craft supplier. I do know that there is a product for decorating on glass(glaze is a glass), here in Australia it is supplied by a company called "Spotlight", once painted on all you have to do is heat up in a normal stove to 120degC and it becomes permenent.

With a catering business the use of the pots will be more than home use so you could go the extra step and have a decal applied. Decals for pottery/ceramics can be purchased/ordered from any pottery/craft supplier, they are attatched to the pot and refired to 750degC or so and become a permenent part of the pot.

Sam