What to Buy for a Ceramics Workshop

A ceramics workshop needs more than clay and a few tools. You’ll need enough work surfaces, tools, protective clothing, drying space, labels, and kiln supplies for every participant. Plan materials by headcount, then add a small buffer for shared tools and mistakes. Drinks, snacks, cups, and cleaning cloths are easy to overlook, especially when the workshop runs for several hours.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Work tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 35
Reception desk
Storage racksqty 3
Drying racksqty 4

Ceramics

Modeling clayqty 30
Work planksqty 35
Clay tool setsqty 35
Clay cuttersqty 12
Wooden rolling pinsqty 8
Texture stampsqty 16
Spongesqty 40
Mixing bowlsqty 12
Clay bucketsqty 10
Engobe setsqty 8
Glaze setsqty 10
Glazing brushesqty 35
Mixing cupsqty 20
Ceramic kiln
Oven traysqty 6
Oven racksqty 24
Project labelsqty 40
Permanent markersqty 6

Clothing

Protective apronsqty 35
Nitrile glovesqty 100
Cloth towelsqty 20

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 40
Platesqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 40
Coffee cupsqty 35

Kitchen

Coffee maker
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 3
Serving traysqty 4
Pliersqty 4
Coolersqty 3

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Name badgesqty 40
Welcome sign

Lighting

Worktable lampsqty 8

Equipment

Power stripsqty 6
Extension cordsqty 6
Cable matsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Vacuum cleaner
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Work glovesqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea selection - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Lemon - 6 pieces
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Grape juice - 2 packs
- Ice cubes - 4 bags
- Mini quiches - 60 pieces
- Vegetable wraps - 30 pieces
- Hummus - 4 tubs
- Cucumber - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 20 pieces
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Snack mix - 3 bags
- Cookies - 4 packs
- Brownies - 36 pieces
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper snack trays - 60 pieces
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Cleaning sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces
- Hand sanitizer - 3 bottles
- Liquid hand soap - 3 bottles

Tips

Allow at least one work plank and one apron per participant, plus 10% extra clay if beginners are attending. A little spare material prevents the session stopping when a piece collapses or dries out.
Provide one basic clay tool set for every two participants, then add shared clay cutters, rolling pins, texture stamps, sponges, and mixing bowls at each table. Shared tools disappear quickly when they are placed at only one central station.
Label every participant’s work before it reaches the drying racks. Buy one project label and one permanent marker per person, with at least five spare labels and markers for replacements.
Check the kiln capacity before buying clay and glaze. Make sure you have enough oven trays and oven racks for the number of pieces that must dry and fire, and confirm the kiln booking before the workshop date.
Budget tableware for the full group, not just the people eating snacks: provide one reusable cup, plate, cutlery set, and coffee cup per participant, plus about 10% extra. Keep cloth towels and protective gloves available for cleanup and messy glazing.

Frequently asked questions

How much clay do I need per person for a ceramics workshop?: For a beginner session, allow about 1 to 2 kg of modeling clay per person, depending on the project. Add roughly 10% extra so the group can redo pieces that crack, collapse, or become too thin.
How many pottery tools do I need for a workshop?: Plan one clay tool set for every two participants, with shared cutters, rolling pins, stamps, sponges, and bowls at each table. For 12 people, that means at least 6 tool sets and 2 to 3 shared items of each type.
What do I need for glazing ceramics after the workshop?: Buy enough engobe or glaze for two thin coats on each piece, plus glazing brushes and mixing cups. Have labels and permanent markers ready before glazing starts, and reserve the kiln at least several days in advance.
How many aprons and gloves are needed for a ceramics class?: Provide one protective apron per participant and keep at least 10% extra available. Nitrile gloves are useful for glazing and cleanup; for a group of 12, prepare at least 14 pairs or enough gloves for one change during the session.

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