Small-Batch tableware studio and wholesale business

Restaurants and cafes, boutique shops, galleries, interior designers and online customers.

Wholesale orders at a discount to retail, custom sets for restaurants and designers, and retail sales from the studio and online.

• Consistent production throwing, casting or slab work
• Glaze testing and kiln management
• Pricing, invoicing and dealing with trade buyers

• Zoning and lease terms: check that your landlord and city allow kilns and light manufacturing
• Electrical capacity and fire code for kilns, and your local fire department's requirements
• Insurance: general liability, product liability and coverage for equipment and stock; workers' compensation once you hire
• Food-safe glazes and any labeling needs for tableware, and state sales tax rules including resale certificates for wholesale

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $8,000 to $30,000, depending on your studio unit, kiln size and equipment. Treat this as a rough estimate and price your own kiln, lease deposit and materials before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many trade accounts you win, your product range and your pricing. The estimate assumes roughly 25 hours a week or more.

Check that your landlord and city allow kilns and light manufacturing, plus electrical capacity and fire code requirements. Also check insurance, food-safe glaze and labeling needs, and state sales tax rules, including resale certificates for wholesale.