Series: RAC 1 to RAC 16
Glaze Type: Decorating Color

RAC 1-16 - Raised Accent Colors are slip-based colors (or engobes) which are available in 2 oz. applicator pens with a fine metal tip for decorating on greenware or bisque. They create embossed or raised designs on ceramic decorative work because the colors do not flatten out when they are fired. They are also available in 16 oz. squeeze bottles, which can be used to refill the pens or which can be used for slip trailing applications.

HOW TO USE THEM - Each 2 ounce squeeze bottle comes with a separate metal tip. After removing the screw cap from the bottle the metal tip can be screwed onto the plastic nipple. Before using the pen on your ceramic piece squeeze some out on a piece of paper to remove any air bubbles and to establish a consistent flow of color. When you are using the pen on a piece of greenware or bisque, hold the pen in contact with the piece. It makes it easier to control the writing than holding the tip above the piece and dropping the color onto the surface. Also the slight scratching of the surface improves the contact between the color and the piece. Do not hold the pen directly vertical when writing because this leaves no space for the liquid to flow out of the tip. Hold the pen at an angle to the surface so that there is an opening for the color to flow through. Because the color is quite thick you must write more slowly than with a pen so that there is time for the liquid to flow through the tip. You can create a large variety of line thicknesses by varying finger pressure and writing speed. The harder you press and the slower you write the thicker your lines will be.

HOW TO KEEP THE METAL TIP FROM PLUGGING - The liquid in an R.A.C. pen is similar to a colored slip and like slip it will harden in the pen tip unless you prevent it. We recommend taking a staple from your stapler and straightening out one end to use as reamer to push into the metal tip. It is helpful to leave the staple in the tip when the pen is not in use to prevent clogging. When you are finished using the pen for the day, the metal tip should be removed from the plastic nipple and the cap replaced on the bottle to prevent the pen from drying out. Also when you have an empty pen you should clean it out and fill it with water (see refilling instructions below). After you have finished using a metal tip you should screw it onto the pen filled with water and squeeze water through the tip to clean it out. Also, letting a used tip soak in water prevents hardening and plugging.

HOW TO REFILL AN R.A.C. PEN - In order to refill an R.A.C. pen you can remove the plastic plug from the top of the bottle. This can be done with a pen knife by inserting the knife edge in the seam between the plug and the bottle and gradually lifting the plug out. Then using the 16 ounce R.A.C. refill bottles you refill the empty bottle. Since the liquid is quite thick you may need to tap the bottle on a hard surface a few times as you refill it to get the liquid to settle to the bottom of the bottle.