The  manufacture  of  ceramic  products generally  proceeds via the following process  steps:
(1)preparation  of  the raw materials  (grinding, classification, mixing),
(2)forming (pressing, punching, slip or spray casting),
(3)drying or prefiring (removal of water or organic binders),
(4)ceramic firing or sintering
(5) posttreatment  and  finishing (mechanical processing, glazing).

These process steps are illustrated below  in  the context  of the manufacturing processes  of  industrially important  clay ceramic products.