Protective varnish

Protective varnish - a protective lacquer in porcelain decoration

(Image: Holst porcelain PL 30 pizza plate (old version made in China) - with Dr Oetker Ristorante and Flow overglaze decoration)

The porcelain artist refers to a transparent decorative colour as a flow, which is applied to the decorative colours as a protective layer - similar to a protective lacquer - using the overglaze process. In other words, the pigmented colours (pictured above in red and black) are located under the colourless flow. This results in extremely high dishwasher resistance. Many colours and precious metal decorations (gold, platinum, etc.) can only be fired onto the porcelain using the overglaze process. The flux then offers additional and now also very effective protection.

Nevertheless, overglaze decorations with flow should not be labelled dishwasher-safe.