Editing Pottery (section)

===Drying===
Prior to firing, the water in an article needs to be removed. A number of different stages, or conditions of the article, can be identified:
* ''[[Greenware (pottery)|Greenware]]'' refers to unfired objects at any stage of dryness, but is most often used to refer to objects ready to be fired. At sufficient moisture content, bodies at this stage are in their most plastic form (as they are soft and malleable, and hence can be easily deformed by handling). Prior to firing, any state of clay may be hydrated or dehydrated into any other unfired stage. 
* ''Plastic'', also known as ''wet'', refers to clay that is malleable and sufficiently wet to shape by hand or on a potter's wheel, but strong enough to hold its shape. At this stage the clay has between 20% and 25% moisture content.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Quick Tip: Reconstituting Clay |url=https://ceramicartsnetwork.org/ceramics-monthly/ceramics-monthly-article/quick-tip-reconstituting-clay# |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=Default |language=en}}</ref> This is the stage most commercial clays are sold at, and at which most of the shaping process is done.
* ''[[Leather-hard]]'' refers to a clay body that has been dried partially. At this stage the clay object has approximately 15% moisture content. Clay bodies at this stage are very firm and only slightly pliable. Trimming and handle attachment often occurs at the leather-hard state.
* ''Bone-dry'' refers to clay bodies when they reach a moisture content at or near 0%. At that moisture content, the item is ready to be fired. Additionally, the piece is extremely brittle at this stage and must be handled with care.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kim |date=2012-04-02 |title=Need to know: Stages of drying in clay |url=https://www.claygeek.com/ceramics-101/need-to-know-stages-of-drying-for-clay/ |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=ClayGeek |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The 6 different stages of clay |url=https://www.oxfordclay.co.uk/blog-1/blog-post-title-four-de9r7-9yzl3 |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=Oxford Clay Handmade Ceramics - Eco-conscious pottery |language=en-US}}</ref>