Discover the Joy of Mono-Printing: A Creative Adventure in Pottery

Another striking result — layered red and cobalt tones combine in this expressive mono-printed bowl.

Every so often, a technique comes along that makes you look at clay in a completely new way. Our recent mono-printing session was one of those moments — an afternoon filled with colour, creativity, and laughter that brought a whole new perspective to surface decoration.

A Masterclass with Donna Bloye

Earlier in the year, we had the pleasure of attending a one-day masterclass in the transfer painting technique of mono-printing with none other than Donna Bloye, the 2024 winner of The Great Pottery Throwdown. Donna’s relaxed, intuitive approach to working with clay is infectious. We left inspired to share what we’d learned with friends back at the studio.

So, on a warm afternoon with the studio doors wide open to a gentle breeze, we hosted a small, informal class to try out this delightful process. Five ladies joined us — all family friends and complete newcomers to clay. None had ever rolled a slab, mixed a slip, or held a modelling tool before. Yet, within minutes, they were absorbed in colour, pattern, and discovery.

The Magic of Mono-Printing

The mono-printing technique is simple in principle but surprisingly addictive once you begin. Using Amaco Velvet underglazes, we started by reverse-painting onto sheets of newsprint paper. The process feels a little counter-intuitive at first — painting the design back to front so that the final image transfers correctly — but that’s half the fun. Layers of colour are built up one over another: a swish of turquoise here, a pop of coral there, dots of ultramarine, all blending and overlapping in unexpected ways.

Because the paper absorbs the underglaze differently in each area, you never quite know what you’ll get. There’s a lovely spontaneity about it — a cross between printmaking and painting, but with the added excitement of transferring it onto clay.

Once the painted sheets had been set aside for a few minutes to dry slightly, the real magic began. Each participant rolled out a smooth slab of clay, ready for the transfer. The newsprint was laid paint-side down onto the damp surface and gently burnished with the palms of their hands. When the paper was peeled back, the colours had jumped across, creating a unique and painterly design that no brush alone could achieve.

The joy on everyone’s faces as those first prints were revealed was wonderful to see. What moments before had been a jumble of brushstrokes on thin paper was now a vibrant image embedded into the clay itself — soft-edged, layered, full of movement. There were gasps of delight, a few whoops of surprise, and one or two laughs as unexpected blotches or smudges turned into happy accidents.

Early mono-print test sheets — reverse-painted underglaze patterns on newsprint ready for transfer onto clay.

Creating Unique Pieces

After the transfers were complete, the slabs were carefully slumped over wooden formers to give them shape — shallow dishes and oval platters that would later become the finished pieces. It’s a straightforward process: the clay, still soft, is draped over the mould and gently coaxed into place. A few light taps around the edge ensure it sits evenly without stretching or cracking. Then it’s left to dry thoroughly before bisque firing.

Throughout the afternoon, conversation flowed easily — part catch-up, part creative workshop. With mugs of tea close at hand, the studio buzzed with that quiet concentration that happens when everyone is absorbed in making. Paint bottles and brushes crowded the table, the colours glowing in the sunlight. Occasionally, someone would hold up their work to admire it or compare patterns.

The finished result — a mono-printed oval platter with flowing turquoise, orange and blue decoration.

The Power of Community in Creativity

By the end of the session, each of the five had created something truly individual. The colour palettes varied wildly — from bright coral and sky blue to softer sea-greens and lilacs — but each bore that distinctive mono-printed energy: layered, free, and organic. Considering none of the group had worked with clay before, the results were genuinely impressive.

We often say that clay has a way of bringing people together, and this afternoon was proof. There’s something about working side by side, experimenting without pressure, that invites conversation and laughter. Even those who began hesitantly were soon swept up in the rhythm of it — the gentle scraping of tools, the sound of brushes tapping against jars, the rustle of paper as transfers were lifted away.

What’s particularly satisfying about the mono-printing technique is how it bridges painting and pottery. It allows people who are confident with colour but new to clay to make that first connection — to see how their painterly instincts can translate onto a ceramic surface. And for those of us who already work with clay, it offers a fresh way to explore surface decoration that feels loose, intuitive, and full of life.

The Creative Mess

As the afternoon light mellowed, the last few slabs were transferred and slumped, ready to dry overnight. The tables were a riot of colour — splattered brushes, streaks of underglaze on the paper, and bowls of leftover slip catching the sunlight. There was that wonderful creative mess that signals a good day’s making.

When the bisque firings were finally done a few days later, the pieces looked superb. The colours had softened slightly but kept their vibrancy, and the layered textures came through beautifully. No two were alike, yet they all shared a playful energy that perfectly captured the spirit of the day.

Looking back, it’s remarkable how much can be achieved in just three hours. With a few sheets of newsprint, some underglazes, and a willingness to experiment, five complete beginners produced work that wouldn’t look out of place on any studio shelf.

As the last of the tools were cleaned and the tables wiped down, there was unanimous agreement: it had been three hours very well spent. The laughter, the learning, and the gentle hum of creative energy made it an afternoon to remember — and a reminder, perhaps, that the best art often begins with a simple willingness to have a go.

If you're interested in exploring this delightful technique further, check out Village Ceramics & Crafts for unique, handcrafted pottery and ceramics that bring the beauty of traditional artistry with a modern twist into your home.