Slip casting
Slip casting is a ceramic forming technique in which liquid clay, known as slip, is poured into a porous mold to create ceramic objects. The mold absorbs moisture from the slip, causing a layer of clay to solidify against the inner surface of the mold.
In this process, the slip is poured into a mold typically made of plaster. As the plaster absorbs water from the slip, a solid clay layer gradually forms along the mold walls. When the desired thickness is reached, the remaining liquid slip is poured out. The hollow clay form is then allowed to stiffen before being removed from the mold.
Slip casting allows the production of complex shapes that may be difficult to create using hand-building or wheel throwing. The method also enables consistent replication of forms, making it suitable for both small-scale workshop production and larger manufacturing processes.
After removal from the mold, the cast piece is usually trimmed and refined before drying, glazing, and firing. Slip casting has been widely used in porcelain production and in the creation of detailed ceramic objects such as figurines, vessels, and decorative elements.
Although many traditional Japanese ceramics are formed by hand or on the wheel, slip casting has also been used in certain porcelain and modern ceramic production contexts.
