When you hold a ceramic mug, the handle feels natural, sturdy, and well-balanced — as if it were formed together with the body. In reality, handle attachment is one of the most skill-dependent steps in ceramic production, directly influencing durability, balance, and overall quality.
1. Reaching the Right Body Condition
Before attaching the handle, the mug body must be in the leather-hard stage. At this point, the clay has firmed up enough to hold its shape, yet still retains moisture to bond securely with the handle. Too wet causes deformation; too dry leads to weak joints or cracking.
2. Separate Handle Forming
Handles are made separately using molds or hand-forming methods. Each one is checked for:
Even thickness
A smooth, comfortable curve
Proper proportion to the mug body
A well-made handle improves not only appearance, but also grip comfort.
3. Scoring and Slip Bonding
The connection areas are first scored (lightly scratched) and then coated with ceramic slip (liquid clay). This step acts like a ceramic “welding preparation,” allowing the handle and body to fuse together during firing rather than simply being attached on the surface.
4. Precise Hand Attachment
Handle positioning is done entirely by experienced workers. Adjustments are made to ensure:
Proper angle
Symmetry
Correct weight balance
Even a few millimeters of deviation can affect how the mug feels when lifted, which is why this step relies heavily on skilled hands rather than machines.
5. Reinforcement and Finishing
After attachment, additional clay is blended around the joint to strengthen the connection and create a seamless transition, making the handle look naturally integrated with the mug body.
6. Slow, Controlled Drying
Drying is just as important. The mug body and handle must dry slowly under controlled humidity so they shrink at the same rate, preventing cracks or separation at the joint.