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Pinching is a method where the potter starts with a ball of clay and uses their fingers to pinch and form a pot. It allows for delicate shapes and is good for making small vessels like bowls and cups.

Burnishing is the technique of polishing leather-hard or dry clay to create a smooth, shiny surface. A stone or a spoon can be used to rub the surface until it becomes shiny. It's often used in pit firing to produce a glossy finish without glaze.

Mishima is a technique where incised lines are filled with contrasting colored slip or underglazes and then the surface is scraped to reveal a clean line. It's used for intricate designs and fine line details on pottery.

Nerikomi is a decorative process that involves stacking and slicing colored clay to create patterns that run throughout the clay body. It's similar to the millefiori technique in glass-making and is used for intricate patterns.

Agateware is pottery made by mixing differently colored clays or by layering colored slips to create a marbled or swirled effect, which resembles the natural stone agate. It's used for decorative objects and tableware.

Raku firing is a rapid, low-temperature firing process. The red-hot pottery is removed from the kiln and subjected to post-firing reduction (or smoked) in containers of combustible materials. It creates unique patterns and colors.

Sprigging is attaching small, molded pieces of clay (sprigs) to a wet or leather-hard clay body. It's primarily used for decorative elements and adding relief designs to the surface of pottery.

Slip trailing is the application of slip to a clay body through a nozzle or syringe to create raised designs. It's often used to decorate pottery with lines, dots, and other patterns before firing.

Throwing is the process of shaping clay on a potter's wheel. The clay is centered on the wheel head and formed into a vessel by the hands as the wheel spins. It's commonly used for symmetrical pieces.

Coiling involves rolling out long, snake-like ropes of clay and stacking them to create a vessel. The coils are blended together to create walls. This technique is often used for hand-building pots without a pottery wheel.

Chattering is a technique used on leather-hard clay where a tool bounces or vibrates against the wheel-thrown pot to create a rhythmic pattern. It creates textured surfaces and decorative effects.

Underglazing is applying colors to a bisque-fired ceramic piece using materials that won't blend or bleed when a clear overglaze is applied. It allows for detailed painting and decoration beneath the protective glaze.

Slip casting is a method where liquid clay (slip) is poured into a plaster mold. The plaster absorbs the water from the slip, creating a cast clay object. It's often used for duplicating items and mass production.

Lustre glazing is the application of a metallic glaze that, when fired, creates a shiny, iridescent finish on ceramics. It's used to add a luxurious, often gold or silver, appearance to the pottery.

Wedging is a kneading technique used to homogenize the clay, removing air bubbles and ensuring consistency. This preparation step is necessary before throwing or hand-building with the clay.

Slab building involves rolling out flat pieces of clay (slabs) and joining them together to form objects. The edges are scored and slipped to ensure a strong bond. This technique is used for making angular shapes and larger items.

Sgraffito involves scratching through a layer of slip or underglaze to reveal the clay body beneath. It's used for decorative surface techniques and creating contrasting images or patterns.

Salt glazing is a technique where salt is introduced into the kiln at high temperatures. The salt vaporizes and reacts with the silica in the clay to form a shiny, textured glaze. It's often used for stoneware.

Carving is removing clay from a leather-hard piece to create a design. This subtractive method can add depth and texture. Carving is often used for detailed decorative work and relief designs.