Handbuilding with Transfers and Decals

In this 10-week handbuilding class, students will explore the creative possibilities of image transfer and decal application on clay. Through hands-on projects, they’ll handbuild their own ceramic pieces while learning a range of transfer and decal techniques, from underglaze and laser transfers to custom-printed designs. Emphasis will be placed on how image, texture, and glaze interact, and how to thoughtfully integrate these elements to enhance form, build narrative, and create visually layered surfaces.

By the end of the course, participants will have a series of finished works that combine form and image, reflecting both technical skill and personal expression. This class is ideal for anyone interested in merging storytelling, design, and clay through richly layered ceramic surfaces.

This an All-Levels Class, no experience is required, though a familiarity with handbuiding is encouraged.

Learn more about instructor Jia Jia.

We believe clay is for everyone! Need tuition assistance? Please visit our tuition assistance page for more information.

What’s Included:
• 1 bag of clay (pick-up first day of class)
• Access to use our studio during open studio hours
• Personal half-shelf for storage of tools, clay, and in process work

What to Bring:
• Basic Pottery Toolkit (should include a cut off wire, wooden knife, wooden rib, metal rib, needle tool, sponge, trimming loop tool and double-ended ribbon tool.)
• Apron or clothes that can get dirty are recommended
Pottery Northwest has communal tools available. Personal toolkits, bat pins & additional clay can be purchased at the online student store.

Please Note:

• If you are new to the Pottery NW studio, or if you have not attended orientation as of summer 2023 quarter, you must attend the first class to receive the mandatory studio orientation. New students who do not attend the first day will be dropped from the class without a refund of the class fee. On the first day of class, late arrivals beyond 15 minutes after the class start time will not be permitted to join. Returning students should still attend the first day of class as the instructor will not be able to reteach missed lessons and demos to absent students in the proceeding classes.

 • We are in Pioneer Square, so please plan ahead so that you have enough time to park. You don’t want to miss anything!