Spode changed ceramic printing forever. How did their transferware pottery develop?
As seen on the Transferware Channel, in the late 18th century, Josiah Spode I pioneered a revolutionary process that would transform ceramic decoration forever-underglaze blue transfer printing. This innovation not only allowed for intricate and consistent designs but also laid the foundation for the mass production of beautifully decorated pottery. But how did this process evolve over the centuries? In this video, we take you inside the Spode Museum in Stoke-on-Trent to explore three historic printing machines that represent key phases in the development of ceramic transfer printing.
Join us as we witness the restoration of these incredible machines and uncover the technology that shaped the ceramic industry. Featured in this video are:
✔️ A Flat Press-the earliest mechanical method for ceramic printing
✔️ A Roller Press with a sizing (paper feed) machine-bringing greater efficiency to the process
✔️ A Murray Curvex machine-revolutionizing curved surface printing in the mid-20th century
We also include rare historical footage of a Murray Curvex in action at Burleigh kindly supplied by the Staffordshire Film Archive, a demonstration of a Flat Press machine, and archival still images of these machines from the Spode Archives kindly supplied by the Transferware Collectors Club.
0:00 Museum Intro / Flat Press
1:01 Demo by Angela Atkinson
3:39 Spode Last Days
4:13 Roller Press Machine
4:46 Spode on Site
5:27 Sizing Machine
6:19 Spode On Site
6:49 Mini Curvex Machine
7:48 Murray Curvex at Burleigh
8:53 Thanks / Outro
📌 Chapter Guide
To help you navigate through the evolution of ceramic printing, we've divided the video into three key technological periods:
🔹 Chapter 1: The Age of Hand Printing 1780s-1850s
The story begins with Josiah Spode's early experiments with transfer printing in the 1780s. Using an engraved copper plate, Spode's craftsmen applied a ceramic pigment, not printer's ink, to thin tissue paper before transferring it onto pottery. Manor Engineering (Fenton) provided a flat press in this process. This process required a special soaping technique, brushing a soft soap solution onto the printed tissue to ensure a smooth and even transfer. The dominant pigment used was Zaffre, a cobalt-based material that gave Spode's blue-printed wares their distinctive depth and vibrancy.
🔹 Chapter 2: The Rise of Mechanise Printing 1850s-1950s
With the increasing demand for printed ceramics, manufacturers turned to mechanized roller presses to speed up production. Companies such as Thomas Smith & Sons (Shelton), and Hartley's (Stoke-on-Trent) Ltd. were instrumental in developing these early mechanical presses. This period saw greater consistency in print quality and the expansion of colour beyond the classic blue, thanks to advances in ceramic pigments.
🔹 Chapter 3: The Curved Revolution 1950s-Present
The Murray Curvex machine, developed in the mid-20th century, solved one of the biggest challenges in ceramic decoration-printing on curved surfaces. Unlike earlier flat or roller presses, which were limited to flat or slightly curved shapes, the Curvex machine allowed for seamless transfer of designs onto rounded objects like jugs and vases. This innovation marked a turning point in ceramic printmaking, enabling greater artistic freedom and efficiency.
🎥 What You'll See in This Video
Early access to the Spode Museum's collection of printing machines
Expert insights from the Spode Museum Manager, Michael Escolme
A rare historical film of a Murray Curvex machine in action at Burleigh
A Flat Press demonstration by Angela Atkinson showing traditional techniques in use
Still images from the Spode Archives documenting the evolution of transfer printing
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👍 Like this video? Let us know in the comments what you found most fascinating about Spode's printing machines!
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