How to Prevent Your Hand-Built Pottery from Sticking to Forms
Sample stainless steel bowl form used for pottery
Using molds or forms to shape your hand-built pottery? If you're working with polished wood molds (like these press molds best used with a foam pad, or these mug molds that come with handle forms!), cardboard molds (like a sturdy tube from a roll of paper), steel molds (like this set of stacking bowls), plastic molds (like these angled molds or a cut piece of PVC pipe), or glass molds (like your favorite flat bottomed Pyrex), you might have noticed a frustrating issue—your clay sticks to them!
That’s because these materials are non-porous, meaning they don’t absorb moisture from the clay, leaving your piece stuck to the surface.
To avoid this, you need to create a barrier between your clay and the form. What barrier you use depends on the form / shape you are creating. Depending on your project, here are three low cost effective ways to prevent sticking:
1. Use Newspaper or Newsprint
If your mold is flat and/or cylindrical (like these mug molds), one of the simplest and most accessible solutions is wrapping your mold in newspaper or newsprint. This thin layer provides just enough separation between the clay and the form, allowing your piece to release easily.
Other alternatives are wax paper, parchment paper, and plastic wrap.
Here’s how:
Wrap the mold in newspaper, and, if needed, secure the newspaper with small pieces of tape.
Build your piece around the wrapped mold.
Once your clay is firm, remove the mold first, then gently pull out the newspaper.
→ Tip: Make the newspaper taller than your pottery piece so you have extra to pull when removing it.
2. Use Tights or Stockings
If your mold has rounded edges, like a bowl for example, a great option is stretching an old pair of tights or stockings over your mold (what a great way to give those runny pairs of tights another life!). The fabric creates a relatively smooth non-stick surface for your clay.
Here’s how:
Cut a piece of tights large enough to cover your mold.
Stretch it over the form, ensuring it fits snugly.
Build your clay piece on top.
When ready, slide out the mold and peel away the tights.
→ Tip: Since tights have holes, clay may still stick! Let the clay firm up to leather hard before removing it, or dust the tights/form with cornstarch.
3. Use Cornstarch
Potters are notorious for raiding kitchens for materials, and this next find is likely already in your (or a neighbor’s) cupboard: cornstarch! Cornstarch absorbs excess moisture in the clay and reduces adhesion.
Here’s how:
Dust a light layer of cornstarch over your mold before placing your clay on it OR if you are slab building, dust the cornstarch onto your slab.
Build your pottery piece as usual.
Once the clay firms up, gently remove it from the mold.
→ Tip: For an even dusting, use a fine-mesh sieve or sifter and gently sprinkle the cornstarch a few inches above the mold or clay.
Want forms that won’t stick to your clay? Choose porous materials.
If you want to avoid the hassle of barriers altogether, opt for molds made from porous materials. These materials absorb moisture from the clay, allowing it to dry evenly and release more easily when leather-hard.
Ideal choices include:
Bisqueware (unglazed fired clay) - You can make your own or purchase some, like this floral bowl.
MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard) - Like this set of plate forms. A trusted brand amongst potters is GR Pottery Forms. I made these trays and the one pictured using my GR Pottery Forms. The tray in the picture was dusted with cornstarch before I used this rolling pin on it for texture.
Plaster - You can make your own using pottery plaster or purchase some (see Clayking.com for some ideas!)
→ Tip: Let your porous molds dry between uses. If they become saturated with moisture, they lose their porosity and can cause your clay to stick.
Want more pottery tips and tricks? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on Instagram @meeshpottery!
As an Amazon Associate and a Blick Art Materials Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Your purchases help me with creating my own art, and I am super grateful! Image credits: all images are of my own artwork, please credit Meesh Pottery.
