The basic plate is a flat slab on which you serve food. These days we have come to expect the functional plate to have a bit of a raised edge or a central depression in order to keep juicy stuff from sliding off. While they come in all sizes and shapes, the basic 12-inch, round plate with a raised rim is de rigueur for the typical North American or European table.
For such a common table item it may seem a bit surprising that more potters don’t make them. Sadly, this is a case of being out competed by cheap, mass manufactured items. There is also the annoyance factor associated with making and firing plates.
Technical issues kill many plates.
In a kiln, plates take up an amazing amount of real estate for their volume. Because of their height, a potter firing a full load of plates ends up having more kiln shelves than saleable ware in the kiln, which is inefficient and bad for the environment and business.
Oh, and then there’s the most annoying thing about plates. They warp and crack like crazy. Just ask any new potter who has attempted their first place setting. They look really simple but you sure lose a lot of them before you’re done.
Why make plates?
The simple answer is that big plates, those big enough to be used as platters (i.e. something to bring the food to the table on), or big enough to be wall art, are big sellers. They’re also a lot of fun to decorate. They give your creative muscle a good work out while helping fill your wallet.
Many a frustrated painter has found their calling creating extravagantly decorated plates. Plates are flat and can come with a ready-made frame in the form of your raised rim. Plates also have the advantage that your decoration will not have to withstand gravity during the firing process. Go crazy, be highly graphical, be complex, your decoration is less like to sag or run on the horizontal surface of a plate.
As a fine art piece, your plate is one pottery item that makes great wall art. This alone is a great reason to learn how to handle production of these temperamental pieces. When you can produce a great, large plate, you’ll be paid well for it.
Just make a few.
So: technically challenging, big price for a successful outcome and a chance to push your creative envelope. How can you say no to taking a shot at making a few plates? Just be prepared for a few ‘issues’ and you’ll be just fine.
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