in a process and a machine for moulding ceramic articles , the provision of a substantially moisture impervious foil between the mould surfaces and the clay blank and the disposal of the foil after its use as a waste by - product . a foil exhibiting predominant plasticity rather than elasticity is selected to secure effective operation of the invention . the clay blank is extruded in strand form at a rate of extrusion which is independent of the rate of feeding clay blanks intermittently into the mould and a temporary storage station provides buffer capacity between the extrusion and moulding steps . the machine has structure adapted to achieve this operation .