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Successful lustre decorating begins with the greenware, which should be carefully cleaned and bisque fired to Orton Cone 4. This encourages the dissipation of gases which otherwise might cause imperfections in the on-glaze and also makes crazing less likely. The areas to be lustred are then glazed and fired. The firing should be to the highest temperature recommended for the glaze. This is to fire out as many imperfections as possible which could mar the lustre finish and to help inhibit crazing. Keep in mind that a satin or matt glaze will provide a satin or matt finish to the lustre or metallic, and a gloss glaze will furnish the glossy finish more commonly associated with lustre finish. In firing lustres, the glaze is fired to the temperature at which the lustre reacts and combines with the softened surface. Over firing will cause the colours to sink too deeply into the glaze, resulting in distortion, fade-out, or burnout. Under firing will prevent the glaze from becoming soft enough to receive the colour, thus causing poor adherence.
Brush Technique is important. the brush should be saturated but with the excess material worked out. Each stroke should be firmly and evenly placed next to the last one in an effort to make the application as even as possible. The two exceptions to this are the Opal and Mother of Pearl lustres. These should be applied evenly. this is best accomplished by swirling or stippling with the brush during application. However, these as well as the others , must be applied thinly. Square brushes are recommended for Lustres
Where an even edge is required. or the decoration is to be applied to a raised or embossed surface, the lustre may be allowed to thicken slightly. This is accomplished by exposing a small amount of material to the air on a glazed tile or glass. This slight thickening may be advantageous where added brush control is desirable. The material can be thinned again with Essence (either  Gold or Lustre) . Add one drop at the time to avoid over thinning. Halo Lustres and Metallics can never be thinned. Since the solvents in these products must be present in exact proportions, every effort must be made to ensure that as little evaporation as possible takes place from the containers of Halo lustres and Metallics.
Brushes used for lustres should be kept thoroughly clean and protected from contamination between uses. It is highly recommended that one brush should be set aside for each metallic preparation and be so marked. As well, a brush used for Mother of Pearl should never be used to apply any other product with the exception of Opal.
Wash brushes in Lustre Brush Cleaner. For application of lustres by sponge, allow the lustre to thicken slightly by exposing a small amount to the air as described above. A thickened material will hold the sponge pattern after application. Use a small piece of natural sponge and discard after use.

DEGUSSA CERACOLOUR ONGLAZES
The Degussa Sunshine range of onglaze colours is available in both tubes and bottles for use on Earthenware, Stoneware, Porcelain, Bone China and Vitreous China. The tubes of colours are advantageous for many reasons. They are ready to use for painting and direct screen printing, they have a long shelf life, the fluidity can be adjusted with water and faulty designs can be easily washed off.