The following are general descriptions of the available types of ceramics used at V-TOP :
- PORCELAIN ( Fine china, Bone China )
- STONEWARE
- EARTHENWARE ( Pottery)

BASICALLY SPEAKING, THE PRODUCTION OF CERAMICS CONSISTS OF THREE PHYSICAL ELEMENTS:

A) BODY
B) GLAZING
C) DECORATION

I. THE BODY – MIXING OF SAND AND GLAY

II. FORMING THE SHAPES OF EACH INDIVIDUAL ITEM

- Hand
- Casting
- Stamping
- Jiggering

III. USING MACHINES

- Jiggering machine (roller) – makes mugs, dinner plates and bowls
- Machine pressed-most efficient method to produce oversized platter. Our turkey platter, for example, are made from machine press
- Casting – liquid clay is poured into a mold and then allowed to set. This process duplicates the shape of the mold. Teapot, cookie jar. Slower production, therefore, most costly to create.

A. Sample Mold:

1. Sculpting the shape with soft clay
2. A plaster mold is made from the sculpture
3. This process takes five to seven days
4. Once sample mold is approved, then a “ Production Mold ” must be made

B. Production Mold:

1. Duplicating the plaster mold, make as many molds as necessary, depending on size of the order
2. Each mold is usually good for 60 to 80 turns before making new production molds

IV. PRODUCTION PLACED THROUGH FIRST OVEN

- Temperature is set at 175℉. Purpose is to remove the excess water content from the formed item and harden the formed shapes.

V. GLAZING PROCESS

- Natural ( Beige )
- White
- Colored

VI. BISQUIT KILN ( SECOND OVEN )

At this stage each item is solid and hard. Temperature varies for each item:

- 1,500℉ - Porcelain
- 1,500℉ - Stoneware
- 1,800℉ - Earthenware

VII. DECORATION APPLICATION (One more glazing if it is underglaze production)

- Decal
- Handpaint ( usually done before Stage V )
- Stamped ( usually done before Stage V )

VIII. GLOST KILN ( THIRD OVEN )

At this point the production is fully baked and ready for packing

- 2,350 – 2,400℉ - Porcelain
- 2,250 – 2,350℉ - Stoneware
- 1,800 – 1,900℉ - Earthenware

IX. QUALITY CONTROL

The product should be inspected against the following during all production stages:

- Smoothness/Finish
- Warpage
- Breakage
- Chipping

X. PACKING

Depending on the complexity of the specific, manufacturer, the product is inspected against:

- Smoothness/Finish
- Warpage
- Breakage
- Chipping