Porcelain is an amazing material that can be used to create a wide range of great products. Its popularity means that people all over the world buy it in large quantities, admiring its many useful qualities. This article will explain the benefits of porcelain, as well as outlining the porcelain industry, its demand and the reason it is loved so much. It will then list different popular products that are made from this brilliant material, before explaining the steps to discover the best porcelain products on the market. By the time you have finished reading this article, you will have in-depth knowledge about everything you need to know about these products, guiding you to make the perfect decision. It will give you all the confidence and information that you need to make the right choice and make sure you understand the industry before investing time and money into these amazing products. This takes the risk out of investing into buying large amounts of stock, so you can save money per unit by buying a large number that you have researched thoroughly.
What is porcelain?
Porcelain is a type of pottery that is usually white in colour. It is a strong material, making it perfect for many different uses. It is sometimes called china or fine china in some English speaking countries.
It was firstly made successfully around 1,200 to 2,000 years ago, beginning in China and then spreading to East Asian countries, before being used by those throughout Europe and the rest of the world. The T’ang dynasty in 618-907 A.D was when porcelain firstlyoriginated, however it took until around 1279-1368 A.D., during the Yuan dynasty for porcelain to be created that meets a similar standard to the porcelain we see today.
Porcelain gets its name from the porcellana, which is a type of shell, because it looks similar to the surface of a shell. From when it was firstly created, the porcelain industry has been very important as it has proven to be such a useful and valuable material.
How is porcelain made?
Porcelain is made by heating materials such as kaolin to temperatures as between and 1,200c and 1,400c. The temperature depends on whether you are using hard paste or soft paste to create it. It is mixed with any additives before being shaped and then fired in the kiln.
Types of porcelain
There are different types of porcelain, made using various materials and being treated in different ways. They each have noticeably different characteristics. Here are the two main types of porcelain:
Hard paste porcelain
This was created in China, as well as being used in Japan. Many of the best and finest types of porcelain are made from hard paste. These are heated to high temperatures, often in a wood-fired kiln, making this type of porcelain particularly strong and translucent.
Soft paste porcelain
This type of porcelain was originally invented when those in Europe tried to work out how to make Chinese porcelain, combining clay, frit and sometimes soapstone. After this, materials such as quartz and feldspars were added into soft paste porcelains, heating them at lower temperatures than hard paste porcelain, meaning the finished product is softer, more brittle and less durable than hard paste alternatives.
Glazed porcelain
Glazed porcelain has a smooth, shiny surface. This is one of the most popular types of porcelain as it reflects the light and can make spaces look larger, also attracting attention.
Unglazed porcelain
Unglazed porcelain has less of a shine and has more of a matt appearance, making it a unique addition to any space.
Benefits of porcelain
Porcelain has low permeability, meaning it does not easily absorb liquids and it is a great material for being resistant to stain. It is also known for its strength, meaning it does not break easily and it is a safe material to store anything in. It is resistant to thermal shock, heating evenly and remaining in its original shape whether it is heated to high temperatures, or cooled down to low temperatures. Even before glazing, porcelain is a strong, durable and attractive material that can be used for a range of purposes.
Demand for porcelain
Porcelain has become popular in countries all around the world. The reason for this is that items made from porcelain are well made, attractive and fantastic products. The wide range of products means that there is a perfect porcelain item that suits anybody, regardless of their preferences. They are also long-lasting, so they can be used regularly, for a long period of time without needing to be replaced, making them a great investment. Porcelain does not have to always be white. In fact, it can have many different colors and designs, making it attractive to anybody, even those that like more complex designs and colourful products in their home.
Many people purchase porcelain for their own homes, or even as a present for somebody that they care about. They are given at many different occasions, including weddings, when people buy their first homes and even when babies are born. Because of this, those of all ages purchase porcelain, making it a popular and in demand product.
This unique material is better than many other types for many different reasons. As an example, it is better than plastic as it is heat-resistant and it is better than glass as it is stronger and does not break as easily. These factors make it a safe purchase.
Porcelain has also become known for these great properties, which is why they have become such common items in most people’s homes. Because everybody is so familiar with porcelain, it is the material of choice for many people and they will look to buy the same kinds of items that they know others love and trust. On social media, many people take pictures showing them using porcelain items, for example, influencers with large followings will show themselves drinking from porcelain cups and share this image with their followers. Types of publicity like this have grown the popularity for porcelain further, increasing demand.
Another reason that there is so much demand for porcelain is that they last forever, unless damaged, meaning they have no sell by date and can be stored until they are used or sold. People love to buy products that they can trust to last for a long time, helping to sell porcelain in shops online and in stores.
Products made from porcelain
This section will list some of the most popular porcelain products and the reasons for their market in the porcelain industry.
Dinnerware
Dinnerware is the most common category of porcelain products. You will be familiar with items such as:
- Bowls
- Dishes
- Spoons
- Plates
These porcelain items are seen as luxurious, often being used for family meals and special occasions, as they are very attractive. People regularly buy them and like to have large dinnerware sets, meaning they want many of the same item, therefore selling many products.
Tea sets
Porcelain is ideal for the creation of tea sets as it is great to drink from. As a material, it is not absorbent, meaning it does not affect the taste and that it helps to create a great tea drinking experience. The amount of people that drink tea around the world means that porcelain tea sets, which are considered to be the best available, sell in large quantities.
These items can include:
- Tea mugs
- Tea bowls
- Teapots
- Spoons
Kitchen and cooking accessories
There are many other items that can be made from porcelain that are used in the cooking and serving process. Some people like to use them when cooking, as the material is perfect for hot and cold temperatures, while others like to serve food in them, because they look attractive and unique.
Kitchen and cooking accessories that can be made from porcelain include:
- Porcelain dish
- Porcelain trays
- Porcelain eggcups
- Porcelain gravy boats
Home decorations
Many everyday items around the home are made from porcelain. The versatility of porcelain makes it perfect to create any shape and to be used for any purpose, which is why so many products around the home are often made from it. There are countless different types and designs of home decorations in the porcelain industry, which is why the demand is so high. There are porcelain decorations that are used for home DIY and renovations, as well as those that are more decorative and pretty. These options show that there are choices for anybody, regardless of the types of porcelain home decorations that they are looking for, due to the enormous number of different items.
Everyday home items that can be made from porcelain include:
- Wall tiles
- Floor tiles
- Flower pots
- Flower vases
- Porcelain decorative items
- Porcelain artwork
- Money banks or ‘piggy banks’
Toilet and bathroom items
There are many items in bathrooms and toilets that are made from porcelain. The reason for this is that they are very strong, long lasting, do not discolour easily and they are resistant to hot and cold.
Porcelain products you may find in the toilet or bathroom include:
- Toilets
- Bathtubs
- Bidets
- Countertops
- Wash basins
- Soap dishes
- Toilet brush handles
- Toothbrush holders
How to discover the best porcelain products
Now you understand the types of items that can be purchased in the porcelain industry, it is time to consider how to find the best products to buy. This section will take you through the four main steps to buy your own porcelain products that people will love, as well as the important factors you must consider before buying them.
1. Think about which porcelain products you would like to sell
These should be something that you are interested in and that you believe there will be a great market for. Carrying out research with your target market is a great way to understand which products they would be most likely to buy.
2. Compare various porcelain products
Once you know which type of product you want to buy, for example, teapots, you should compare different products from different suppliers, looking at various designs, prices and types of porcelain. Look at reviews, take time to understand product descriptions and come up with a list of your favourite products. After this, you should then decide which ones you want to buy, choosing those that meet your objectives best.
3. Choose a supplier in the porcelain industry
When you know which product you want to buy and you have a list of potential suppliers that you have researched, it is time to make a decision. Find out all of the information that you need to know, to make sure you will be happy with the products that you buy.
4. Purchase your porcelain
One you are fully satisfied with your supplier and the products that you want to buy from them, you should place your order and pay. All you need to do then, is to wait for the delivery and be ready to get selling!
Points to consider
There are some things that you need to think about when choosing a supplier in the porcelain industry. These are:
- What is their minimum order quantity and maximum order capacity?
You must make sure that your chosen supplier can meet the demand you have and ideally, they will be able to scale up and down in line with the number of products that you need to order each time.
- How long do orders take to arrive?
This piece of information is key, allowing you to manage expectations, know when to start selling and make sure you choose a supplier that can meet your timelines.
- How safe are the products?
With porcelain products, they can break easily, so your supplier must make sure they are delivered with plenty of packaging and protection. If they don’t do this, they will arrive broken which can be disappointing and disrupt the supply chain.
Summary
Porcelain is one of the most desirable materials for products to be made from. Because of this, people are willing to pay a premium to have high quality, attractive items in their homes. The popularity of porcelain continues to grow and with countless different products to choose from, sourcing can be an enjoyable and exciting process. Now you have a basic understanding of why you should focus on the porcelain industry, it’s time to get started and begin searching for your dream items.
