Ceramics Monthly Feature Printing with Clay on Prototype Machines

recipes
PVA Printing Slip

Xtra-White, Redart TerraCotta or Stoneware Buff Slip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

62.50 %
Sugar (extra fine) . . . . . . . . 31.25
PVA (PolyVinyl Alcohol) . . . 6.25

100.00 %

MaltoDextrin Printing Slip

Xtra-White, Redart TerraCotta or Stoneware Buff Slip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

66.66 %
Sugar (extra fine) . . . . . . . . 16.67
MaltoDextrin . . . . . . . . . . . .
16.67

100.00 %

The PVA Printing Slip mixture produced quite acceptable results (with all slips) but the PVA is a little more costly when compared to MaltoDextrin (which is available at the grocery store under the brand name Benefiber). The MaltoDextrin Printing Slip was also stronger in greenware form.

A solution of 16–18% ethanol (by volume) in water with a bit of food coloring works nicely as a binder. The food coloring lets you see if the fluid is deposited properly, and it burns out during firing. Our ethanol-water solution is vodka based