Slip casting is a forming method in which liquid clay—called slip—is poured into an absorbent plaster mould. It is often introduced as one of the three foundational ceramic forming techniques, alongside handbuilding and wheel throwing.

When the slip enters the mould, the plaster absorbs water, causing a thin layer of clay particles to consolidate along the interior surface. The longer the slip remains inside, the thicker this layer becomes. After the excess slip is poured out, a hollow form is left to stiffen before being released from the mould.
Slip casting became especially important in the 20th century for studios and workshops seeking consistent, light forms. Potters use the method not only for efficiency but also for creating complex silhouettes—teaware, sculptural components, and forms that are difficult to make by hand. Although sometimes associated with industrial production, many artists use slip casting to explore their unique identity.

The technique offers both precision and expressive potential, allowing potters to produce multipart vessels, structural experiments, and refined series while retaining the subtlety of hand-finished surfaces.