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A ceramic or porcelain palette is the closest thing to a perfect mixing surface for water-based paint. Its glazed, non-porous surface stops watercolor and gouache from beading the way they do on plastic, it never stains permanently, and its weight keeps it from sliding around the table. The same qualities make a porcelain palette the best palette for ceramic painting projects too: mixing underglazes, acrylic enamels and porcelain paints for mugs, tiles, plates and bisque pieces.
Quick answer: For most painters, the MEEDEN 12-well porcelain palette is the best ceramic palette: 7 inches across, heavy enough not to flip, and easy to wipe clean. If you want more wells and mixing space, the Gemerglity 8 inch 13-well palette is the larger option, and for travel or small studies the ZROSDSGY 5 inch plum blossom palette with lid protects paint in transit. For pottery painters who hate juggling water cups, the ANLYAWX starfish palette has a built-in washing well.
Why Painters Prefer Ceramic Palettes
- No beading: watercolor and gouache spread smoothly on glazed ceramic instead of forming droplets.
- True color: bright white glaze shows mixes accurately.
- Stain resistant: pigments that permanently tint plastic usually wipe off porcelain.
- Weight and stability: the palette stays put when you mix vigorously.
- Re-wettable paint: dried watercolor and gouache on the palette can be reactivated with water.
- Durability: lasts for decades if not dropped.
Porcelain, ceramic or glazed stoneware?
Listings use “porcelain” and “ceramic” interchangeably for palettes. What matters for painters is the glaze: a smooth, fully glazed white surface gives the non-beading, stain-resistant behavior described above. Unglazed or matte areas absorb pigment and stain. If a palette has a decorative colored rim, keep the mixing areas white so mixes read accurately.
Drawbacks
- Heavier and bulkier than plastic for travel.
- Can chip or break if dropped.
- Usually no lid, so wet paint dries between sessions unless covered.
Using a Ceramic Palette for Painting on Ceramics
If you paint pottery, mugs or tiles, the palette needs to suit the paint you use.
Underglazes
Used on greenware or bisque before glazing and firing. Mix and thin them on a porcelain palette; small wells keep colors separate, and the smooth surface lets you judge consistency. Keep a damp cloth over the palette, since underglazes dry quickly.
Acrylic enamels and porcelain paints
Air-dry or oven-cure paints for glazed mugs and plates. A porcelain palette wipes clean before these set, and you can mix custom colors in the larger wells. Clean promptly, as some enamels become hard to remove once cured.
Glaze testing
Potters often use a porcelain palette or tile to test glaze and underglaze combinations before committing to a piece.
Paint-your-own-pottery studios
Studios usually provide palettes, but painters who return often bring their own porcelain palette for consistent mixing and easy cleanup.
Our guide on cleaning a painting palette covers care for porcelain and other surfaces, and if you want to keep paint workable between sessions, our tips on keeping a paint palette from drying out include simple covers that work on ceramic palettes.
Setting Up a Ceramic Palette for a Session
- Plan the layout: arrange colors around the rim in color-wheel order, with warm colors on one side and cool on the other.
- Keep neighbors friendly: place colors that mix well next to each other, so accidental bleed between wells produces a useful color rather than mud.
- Reserve the center: use the central area or largest wells for mixing.
- Add water gradually: on porcelain, a little water spreads a long way, so start with less than you think.
- Rest brushes on the rim rather than in the wells, so they do not pick up extra paint.
- Cover between sessions with a plate, lid or plastic wrap.
Making a dried watercolor palette
Many watercolorists fill porcelain wells with tube watercolor and let it dry into cakes. The paint reactivates with a wet brush, and the palette becomes a permanent, portable set of colors. Use a fresh layer on top as the cake wears down. This works well with honey-based tube watercolors; some student-grade paints crack as they dry, so test one well first.
Choosing a palette for pottery events
If you paint at pottery studios or host a paint-your-own-pottery night at home, smaller palettes like the 5 inch lidded style are easy to carry, while a 7 or 8 inch palette with many wells gives each painter enough colors without sharing. A palette with a built-in water well reduces spills on a crowded table.
Ceramic Palette Shapes Compared
| Shape | Typical Size | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round flower or multi-well | 7 to 8 in | Watercolor, gouache, underglaze mixing | Wells around the rim, center for mixing |
| Small round with lid | About 5 in | Travel, small studies | Lid protects paint |
| Rectangular well tray | Varies | Organizing many colors | Rows of wells |
| Novelty shapes with wash well | About 6 to 7 in | Craft painting, kids, gifts | Built-in water bowl |
| Slant tiles | Varies | Watercolor washes | Sloped wells for pooling |
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- MEEDEN Porcelain Watercolor Palette, 12 Wells, 7 in — Best overall ceramic palette
- Gemerglity 8 in Porcelain Palette, 13 Wells — Best for more wells and mixing space
- MEEDEN Ceramic Palette, 8 Wells, 7 in — Best for fewer, larger mixing areas
- Ymcafmo 14-Well Ceramic Palettes, 2 Pack — Best value two-pack
- ZROSDSGY 5 in Plum Blossom Palette with Lid — Best small palette for travel
- ANLYAWX Starfish Ceramic Palette with Washing Well — Best for craft and pottery painting
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Key Strength | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEEDEN 12-Well | All-round mixing | 7 in diameter, 1 in high, 12 wells | Heavy enough not to flip | $ |
| Gemerglity 13-Well | More colors | 8 in diameter, 13 wells | Largest palette here | $ |
| MEEDEN 8-Well | Larger mixes | 7 x 7 x 0.9 in, 8 wells | Bigger wells for washes | $$ |
| Ymcafmo 14-Well 2-Pack | Two palettes for less | 2 ceramic palettes, 14 wells each | Value pair | $ |
| ZROSDSGY 5 in with Lid | Travel and small studies | 5.3 in plum blossom shape, lid | Protects paint in transit | $ |
| ANLYAWX Starfish | Craft and pottery painting | 6.6 x 5.1 in, built-in wash well | No separate water cup | $$ |
How We Chose
We compared these palettes using Amazon listing details and specifications checked in October 2026: material, diameter, number and size of wells, weight, lids and special features such as built-in washing wells. We also considered how widely each palette is reviewed by Amazon buyers. We have not used these palettes; details come from the listings. A watercolor paint set that includes a small ceramic palette was left out because it is mainly a paint set.
- Material: glazed porcelain or ceramic.
- Well count and size: enough separate colors plus mixing space.
- Stability: weight and base design.
- Portability: size and lids.
- Extras: wash wells and multi-packs.
Best Palettes for Ceramic Painting Reviewed
1. MEEDEN Porcelain Watercolor Palette, 12 Wells, 7 in — Best for All-Round Mixing
MEEDEN’s porcelain palette is 7 inches across and about 1 inch high with twelve wells, made of white ceramic. The listing says it has enough weight not to flip, and that paint spreads smoothly without beading and wipes clean with a tissue.
It is listed for watercolor, gouache, acrylic, oil and tempera, and its size works on a studio desk or in a field kit for painters who do not mind a little weight.
Best suited for: Watercolor, gouache and ceramic painters who want one dependable porcelain palette.
Key features:
- 7 in diameter, about 1 in high
- 12 wells
- White porcelain
- Studio or field use
Pros:
- Stable weight
- Smooth, non-beading surface
- Easy to clean
- Low price tier
Cons and limitations:
- No lid
- Breakable if dropped
- Heavier than plastic
Buying consideration: Cover it with a plate or plastic wrap between sessions to keep gouache and underglaze moist.
2. Gemerglity 8 in Porcelain Palette, 13 Wells — Best for More Colors
Gemerglity’s 8 inch porcelain palette has 13 wells on a pure white, smooth surface. The listing says paint will not bead and wipes clean with a tissue, and that it suits watercolor, gouache, acrylic, oil and tempera, as well as beading and craft sorting.
The extra inch of diameter and additional well give a little more room than 7 inch palettes, useful when working with many underglaze or watercolor colors.
Best suited for: Painters who want more wells and a larger mixing area.
Key features:
- 8 in diameter
- 13 wells
- White porcelain
- Multi-medium use
Pros:
- Largest palette here
- More separate wells
- Low price tier
Cons and limitations:
- Heavier and larger to store
- No lid
- Breakable
Buying consideration: Use the outer wells for pure colors and the larger wells for mixes.
3. MEEDEN Ceramic Palette, 8 Wells, 7 in — Best for Larger Mixes
MEEDEN’s 8-well palette measures 7 x 7 x 0.9 inches in white ceramic. With fewer wells than the 12-well version, each is larger, giving more room for mixing washes and bigger batches of color.
The listing describes a smooth surface that does not bead and cleans with water and a tissue, and calls it lightweight relative to its hand-sized diameter.
Best suited for: Painters who mix larger washes or fewer colors at once.
Key features:
- 7 x 7 x 0.9 in
- 8 larger wells
- White ceramic
- Multi-medium use
Pros:
- Bigger mixing wells
- Easy to clean
- Low price tier
Cons and limitations:
- Fewer colors at once
- No lid
- Breakable
Buying consideration: Pair it with the 12-well version: one for pure colors, one for mixing.
4. Ymcafmo 14-Well Ceramic Palettes, 2 Pack — Best for a Value Pair
Ymcafmo sells two ceramic palettes with 14 wells each. The listing calls them durable, easy to clean, compact and lightweight, and suitable for watercolor and acrylic, including use as a wet or stay-wet palette.
Two palettes let you keep warm and cool colors separate, or dedicate one to underglazes and one to acrylic enamels.
Best suited for: Painters wanting two palettes at a low price tier.
Key features:
- 2 ceramic palettes
- 14 wells each
- About 15.8 oz total
- Watercolor and acrylic
Pros:
- Two palettes for the price of one
- Many wells
- Lowest price tier
Cons and limitations:
- Dimensions not specified in the listing
- No lids
- Lesser-known brand
Buying consideration: Label the underside of each palette for the paint type it holds.
5. ZROSDSGY 5 in Plum Blossom Palette with Lid — Best for Travel and Small Studies
ZROSDSGY’s plum blossom palette is about 5.3 inches across, made of ceramic with multiple wells and a lid. The listing says the lid keeps paints fresh and protected for transport and storage, and the non-porous surface wipes clean with a damp cloth.
It is compact enough for a travel kit and attractive enough to leave out on a desk.
Best suited for: Watercolor and gouache painters who travel or paint small.
Key features:
- About 5.3 in
- Plum blossom shape
- Lid included
- Ceramic, non-porous
Pros:
- Lid protects paint
- Compact
- Decorative design
Cons and limitations:
- Small mixing area
- Number of wells not specified
- Heavier than plastic travel palettes
Buying consideration: Fill wells with tube watercolor and let it dry for a ready-to-go travel palette.
6. ANLYAWX Starfish Ceramic Palette with Washing Well — Best for Craft and Pottery Painting
ANLYAWX’s starfish palette is thick, high-fired glazed ceramic with a deep circular water bowl built in for rinsing brushes, plus divided wells and a large mixing area. The listing says pigment rinses off under running water and that the weighted base stays stable.
At about 6.6 x 5.1 inches, it suits craft painting, plaster figure painting and kids’ projects, and the built-in water bowl means one less thing to knock over.
Best suited for: Craft painters, pottery painters and kids who want an all-in-one palette.
Key features:
- About 6.6 x 5.1 in
- Built-in washing well
- Divided wells and mixing area
- Glazed ceramic, weighted base
Pros:
- No separate water cup needed
- Stable and easy to rinse
- Fun gift design
Cons and limitations:
- Small wash well needs frequent refreshing
- Mid price tier
- Novelty shape limits mixing space
Buying consideration: Change the water in the wash well often to keep colors clean.
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Palette for Ceramic Painting
Size
Seven to eight inch palettes suit most desk work. Five inch palettes suit travel and small studies.
Number of wells
Twelve to fourteen wells hold a full palette of colors. Fewer, larger wells are better for mixing big washes.
Lid or no lid
Lids protect paint in transit and between sessions. Without a lid, cover the palette with a plate or plastic wrap.
Paint type
Porcelain suits watercolor, gouache, underglaze and acrylic enamel. For heavy acrylic and oil, a large flat glass or wooden palette may be more practical.
Weight and storage
Ceramic is heavy and fragile. Store palettes flat and away from table edges.
Extras
Built-in wash wells and two-packs add convenience and value.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using abrasive scrubbers that dull the glaze.
- Letting acrylic enamel cure on the palette before cleaning.
- Stacking ceramic palettes without padding between them.
- Using a tiny palette for large watercolor washes.
- Mixing underglazes and enamels in the same wells without cleaning.
- Leaving gouache uncovered for days, which cracks as it dries.
FAQs
Why use a ceramic palette instead of plastic?
Ceramic does not bead watercolor or gouache, resists staining, shows true color and is heavy enough to stay put. Plastic is lighter and cheaper but stains and causes beading.
Can I use a porcelain palette for acrylic paint?
Yes. Acrylic wipes off easily when wet and usually peels off when dry. For large amounts of heavy acrylic, a bigger flat palette may be more practical.
What palette is best for painting pottery?
A porcelain palette with several wells works well for mixing underglazes and acrylic enamels. Keep a damp cloth over it, as these paints dry quickly.
How do I clean a ceramic palette?
Wipe with a damp cloth or tissue, or rinse under running water. For dried acrylic, soak briefly in warm water. Avoid abrasive pads that scratch the glaze.
Can watercolor be reused from a ceramic palette?
Yes. Dried watercolor and gouache can be re-wet with a damp brush, which is one of the main benefits of a porcelain palette.
Are ceramic palettes good for travel?
Small ceramic palettes with lids travel well, but they are heavier and more fragile than metal tins or plastic palettes.
Final Recommendation
The MEEDEN 12-well porcelain palette is the best all-round choice for watercolor, gouache and ceramic painting. Choose the Gemerglity 13-well palette for more space, the MEEDEN 8-well for larger mixes, and the Ymcafmo two-pack for value. The ZROSDSGY lidded palette suits travel, and the ANLYAWX starfish palette is a fun, practical choice for craft and pottery painting. Any of them will outlast a stack of plastic trays if you store it safely and clean it while the paint is still wet.
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