Tube lining — decorative technique used in pottery and tile production. It involves applying delicate lines of SLIP onto the surface of the piece to create raised lines that serve as borders or separators between different areas of coloured glazes.

The process of tube lining begins by preparing a slip of the desired consistency. The slip is then loaded into a narrow tube or container with a small nozzle, similar to a pastry bag. The artist carefully squeezes the tube, guiding the flow of slip onto the pottery or tile surface to create the desired pattern or design.

The slip lines created through tube lining act as barriers, preventing different coloured glazes from blending into one another. The raised lines separate the areas of glazes, maintaining distinct boundaries and defining the various sections of the design.

Once the tube lining is complete, the piece is allowed to dry thoroughly before it is fired in a kiln. During the firing process, the slip lines harden and become permanent, retaining their raised texture. The glazes are applied over the entire surface, including the tube-lined areas, and fired again. The glazes flow up to the raised slip lines but are contained within the designated areas, creating crisp and defined boundaries.