There seem to be so many paints to choose from, but many of them really just do not work for ceramic. A lot of the paints don’t stick to the ceramic, or just do not look great, by either streaking or appearing translucent on the surface.
To ensure that your ceramic project turns out as best as it can, you need to use paint that will work on the ceramic, and which will last as well.
Which is the best paint to use for ceramic? The best paint to use for ceramic is an enamel paint, which is oil-based paint. Enamel has a beautiful finish and is fairly easy to find. There is a good color selection of enamel paints, and once dried they will not scratch off or fade. Artist quality acrylic paints often work too.
There are a few choices of enamel paint available, but you need to use the best to ensure that you get the best results!
How To Choose The Best Paint For Ceramic
It can be quite confusing trying to pick out the best ceramic paints. There is such a wide range of options, it can be overwhelming.
To help you, here is how to choose the best paint for ceramics!
Curing: It is always a good idea to look for the curing time of the paint. You will need to leave the paint to cure for some time but look for one that can air-dry within 48 hours, or which can be cured by being baked.
You don’t want to choose a paint that takes ages to cure if you will be painting with multiple layers (without blending), so this is an important factor to consider.
Color: Colors are so much fun to work with, and once you find your favorite paint, it is disappointing to find that there isn’t a wide range of colors. Always check to see that there are different colors available to choose from.
Fading: You want your ceramics to last for as long as possible, and you do not want to keep having to retouch the pieces over time. Check that the paint will not fade over time and that it will not chip or become translucent. The product information should say this but look for reviews as well.
Dishwasher-safe: If you are using the paint to decorate kitchen ceramics, it is such a good idea to check that the paint will be dishwasher-safe once it has cured. This really does just make life so much easier!
Also, if you are going to be drinking or eating off of these dishes, be sure to either keep the paint on a part of the dish that won’t touch food (such as the outside of a mug), look for paints which are guaranteed to be safe around food, or look for a glaze or seal that is food-safe and which you can paint on top.
Pigments: A good ceramic paint will be finely pigmented, to allow it to have a good, even coverage, and to give the paint a bold color.
All these factors are important to consider when choosing the best enamel paint, but all of the above paint options should give you a great finish, and a great painting experience!
5 Best Paints For Ceramic
To help you make the most out of your ceramic projects, here are the best paints to use!
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Pebeo Ceramic Enamel Effect Paint | Oil-based, opaque, lightfast |
| 2. | Testors Enamel Paint | Fine pigments, 48hr cure |
| 3. | DecoArt Americana Gloss Enamel Paint | Versatile, non-toxic |
| 4. | FolkArt Enamel Glass & Ceramic Paint | Scratch-resistant, opaque |
| 5. | Paint Pens For Ceramic | Oil-based, permanent |
But since artists, serious and hobby alike, are rightfully picky about their materials, we’ve included more detail on each below so you can make a careful choice.
1. Pebeo Ceramic Enamel Effect Paint
The Pebeo Ceramic paint is an oil-based, opaque liquid paint that will dry to a lacquered enameled finish.
It has an excellent lightfastness and has a thick and velvety tight film when it dries. You are able to create unique effects by mixing different ceramic colors together, so there are endless possibilities to what you can create and pain.
You are able to apply the paint with brushes, droppers, or by simply dripping, splattering, or pouring the enamel paint directly from the bottle.
With 28 different colors available in the range, you can let your creativity run wild and give your ceramics an amazing pop of color!
2. Testors Enamel Paint
Testors is a trusted name when it comes to painting ceramics, and for good reason. The Testors Enamel Paintworks really well on ceramic, and lasts for many years.
This is an all-purpose enamel paint that can be used on so many different surfaces and does work really well on different ceramic projects. The finely ground pigments in the paint give it a superb flow and coverage, with beautiful color.
It is an easy to apply paint and only cures within 48 hours. It might feel dry to the touch, but the paint does need this set amount of time in order to cure completely, to not chip or peel after a while.
With a wide variety of colors available, you can build up quite a collection of stunning colors to paint some great designs and create some beautiful effects on your ceramic pieces.
3. DecoArt Americana Gloss Enamel Paint
The DecoArt Americana Gloss Enamel paint is definitely one of the better options to use on ceramic, but it can also be used on paper, wood, glass, metal, canvas, and more, so it is a powerful paint to keep in your toolbox!
The multi-surface acrylic paint can be used on ceramic, which can then be baked in an oven, which will make the ceramic piece dishwasher-safe.
There is a wide range of colors available in the DecoArt Enamel Paint range, so you should find the right color to suit your project!
The paint will not fade, chip, or peel off over time as long as it is cured properly. Once cured, the ceramic will be safe to use in the kitchen repeatedly without the color changing!
4. FolkArt Enamel Glass & Ceramic Paint
The FolkArt Enamel Glass & Ceramic Paint range has an expansive color palette, with colors that are exceptionally good at blending and shading. There are several specialty finishes available, such as neon, chalk, glitter, and enamel.
The paints are all highly pigmented for opaque coverage, and to give the paint a bold color that stays around, even once the paint has cured. When dried, the paint gives the ceramic piece a durable and scratch-resistant finish. It is also dishwasher-safe when cured.
You can choose to either bake or air dry the enamel paint to allow it to cure. It is a water-based paint and is non-toxic, so is great for kids to use as well!
Choose from a wide range of colors to create some unique ceramic projects!
5. Paint Pens For Ceramic
A little different from traditional enamel paints, these paint pens can be used to decorate ceramics in a new and unique way.
These professional quality pens are oil-based, and have a smooth flow without flooding, drying up, or jamming. You can really let your imagination run wild with the different colored pens in the pack of 15.
The pens can be used on different surfaces, such as ceramic, glass, porcelain, metal, stone, and much more. The colors in the kit include black, white, gold, silver, brown, blue, yellow, orange, red, green, pink, purple, blue, hot pink, and glowing green.
Once dried, the pen paint is resistant to water, abrasion, and fading, and will stand up to the test of time. These are such great paints to use for kids to get creative as well, creating some pieces to keep forever.
The pens make a great addition to traditional ceramic enamel paints and are best used to add fun finishes to pieces.
And if acrylic paint pens seem like a better option for you than paints, we have a whole article on acrylic paint pens, too. Many can be used on ceramic as well as textiles.
Related Questions
Can I Use Spray Paint For Ceramics?
Yes, you can use spray paints for ceramics, but you need to make sure that it is the right spray paint! You can use exterior-interior spray paint, with a matte finish, to get a good finish. A high-quality spray paint should stick to the ceramic surface problem-free.
How Do You Get Paint to Stay on Ceramic?
How you get the paint to stay on ceramic will depend on the type of paint that you are using. You will either be able to let the paint air dry for one or two days or place the ceramic in the oven to bake.
Can You Use Acrylic Paint on Ceramic Mugs?
Acrylic paint can be used on ceramic mugs, but you need to make sure to check the label of the acrylic paint first. Some acrylic paints can only be used on unglazed ceramics. You can also use a sealant for your mug, to protect the paint from cracking and to give it a great shine.
Do Sharpies Work on Ceramic?
Yes, you can use sharpies on ceramic. The color dries quite quickly and should not fade over time. Sharpies are also abrasion-free and water-resistant, and if sealed with a clear sealant, should last on the ceramic for quite some time.
The Best Paints For Ceramics
Choosing the best paints for your ceramics should not feel like a chore! The above 5 ceramic paints are all incredible to use and should help you give your ceramic projects a beautiful finish.
Make sure to allow the paints enough time to cure, to ensure that they do not fade, chip, or crack over time. Given the right conditions, the paints should last a lifetime and keep their bold, stunning colors!
As an extra tip, make sure the ceramic paint you choose can be placed in the dishwasher!
Up Next: How To Seal Acrylic Paint On Ceramic Mugs
