What did Spode contribute to underglaze blue transfer printing?

Spode is strongly associated with early commercial production of underglaze blue printed earthenware. “Underglaze” means the printed design sits under a clear glaze, protecting it from wear and making blue-and-white pieces practical for regular use. Transfer printing uses an engraved plate to place an inked image onto paper, then onto the ceramic surface, letting workshops repeat complex scenes and borders at scale. Spode’s role matters to collectors because it helps explain why so many Spode patterns share crisp line work, repeated border motifs, and consistent shade ranges across sets. If a piece shows a clean printed blue scene with glaze over it, that match of method and look is part of the Spode signature.