Efficient Pottery Production: Tips and Tools
Introduction to Pottery Production
In the world of ceramics, there’s a clear distinction between artisanal pottery and production pottery. Artisanal pottery is all about crafting unique, one-of-a-kind pieces—each with its own character, often showcasing intricate details or experimental techniques. In contrast, production pottery focuses on making multiple pieces of the same design efficiently and consistently, streamlining the process to meet higher volume demands.
While artisanal pottery takes more time per piece due to its handcrafted nature, production pottery prioritises speed and uniformity. Techniques such as batch throwing, jiggering, or slip casting help potters produce consistent items that are perfect for retailers, restaurants, and customers seeking reliable everyday ceramics.
Why focus on production pottery? For potters aiming to grow a sustainable business, production methods offer clear benefits: efficiency, scalability, and profitability. Making pottery in batches reduces wasted time and materials and ensures consistent sizing, which simplifies glazing, firing, and packing. It also helps build brand recognition—customers appreciate knowing they can return for their favourite designs, which fosters loyalty and repeat business.
Materials and Tools
Choosing the right clay is crucial in production pottery. Different clays vary in texture, plasticity, and firing temperature. For example, groggy clay can be easier to throw and might require less clay per piece. Consistency in clay weight is essential, as is investing in reliable tools: a good potter’s wheel, kiln, trimming tools, ribs, batts, and measuring guides like callipers or a pointer.
Design and Planning
Consistency is the backbone of production pottery. This means carefully weighing your clay portions before throwing to maintain uniformity. Consistent sizing not only improves the visual appeal of your pieces but also optimises kiln space and firing schedules. Planning production runs with clear quantity and quality goals helps maintain steady output, while factoring in an estimated 10% loss accounts for breakage and imperfections.
Techniques for Efficient Production
- Wheel Throwing: Develop a rhythm by throwing in batches—start by centering all your pieces, then move on to opening, pulling, and shaping in sequence. This builds muscle memory and improves speed.
- Pre-weighing Clay: Always weigh your clay portions to ensure each piece starts from the same baseline, reducing trimming time later.
- Using Ribs & Templates: Wooden or plastic ribs shape pieces quickly and consistently, while templates or calipers ensure dimensional accuracy.
- Slip Casting: This method is excellent for mass production, allowing for intricate shapes and high reproducibility. It’s efficient but lacks the unique handmade feel of wheel-thrown pottery and requires upfront investment in moulds.
Trimming
Use calipers and guides to measure wall thickness and foot diameter consistently. Tools like trimming ribs and 3D-printed templates speed up the process and help maintain uniformity. Trim in batches and maintain steady, repeatable movements to improve both speed and precision.
Quality Control
Set clear quality standards for each batch and check for common defects like warping or cracks. Test-fire small batches regularly to ensure glaze consistency and overall quality.
Workflow and Time Management
Organise your workspace for efficiency—keep tools and materials within reach and group similar tasks together. Schedule your production cycles to meet deadlines without rushing. Managing your time effectively will help maximise productivity.
Costing and Pricing
Calculate your costs carefully, including clay, glaze, labour, and overheads. Wholesale pricing is typically 30-50% of retail to allow stockists a healthy margin. Consider bulk discounts and minimum order quantities to maintain profitability. Streamlining materials and processes—such as buying supplies in bulk and optimising firing schedules—also reduces costs.
Sustainability Practices
Reduce waste by recycling clay scraps and excess slip. Use energy-efficient kiln firing techniques and source materials responsibly to minimise your environmental footprint.
Hands-on Practice and Critique
Regular practice is key. Build muscle memory with repetitive throwing exercises and seek feedback through peer reviews to refine your technique continuously.
Project Work and Final Assessment
Develop a final project that demonstrates your mastery of consistency, quality, and creativity. Present your work for critique to identify areas for improvement.
Workshop Challenge Ideas to Build Consistency
- Throw cylinders to 10cm x 10cm of three different weights (e.g., 600g, 450g, 350g) and compare results. What was hardest, easiest?
- Choose the best weight from above and throw 4–6 cylinders to practice uniformity.
- Select a rib or shape and replicate 3–4 pieces to build muscle memory.
- Fun challenge: Try speed throwing—make 5 pots in 10 minutes!
We have a hands on Production Workshop by Elizabeth Bell running August 17th in her Fyansford Studio & classroom. More details here.
Let me know how your challenges went!
