Custom Pottery Commission Service
Create custom pottery pieces for clients and special occasions
Overview
Custom pottery businesses charge $50-$500 per piece for personalized work.
Creating 20-50 custom pieces monthly generates $80,000-$450,000 annually with 65-80% margins.
In 2025, customers want personalized handmade pottery for gifts, weddings, and special occasions.
Services include personalized mugs and dishes (names, messages), custom dinnerware sets, wedding gifts and favors, memorial pieces, pet bowls ($40-$80), custom colors and designs, and corporate gifts.
Successful custom potters communicate design concepts clearly, manage client expectations, work efficiently with custom requests, photograph finished pieces beautifully, and market to gift buyers and event planners.
Wedding registry and corporate gifts particularly lucrative.
Marketing through Etsy, Instagram, wedding planners, corporate gift buyers, and word-of-mouth.
Required Skills
- Pottery Techniques
- Personalization Methods
- Client Communication
- Custom Design
- Production Efficiency
- Photography
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Custom pieces command higher prices
- Meaningful personalized gifts
- Wedding and event market
- Corporate gift accounts
- Less price competition than production pottery
Cons
- Managing client expectations challenging
- Custom work disrupts production flow
- Longer lead times for custom orders
- Personalization techniques require skill
- Some requests not feasible in clay
How to Get Started
- Master pottery and personalization techniques
- Set up studio with wheel and kiln
- Develop process for custom consultations
- Create portfolio showing custom work examples
- Set pricing for custom pieces and complexity
- Market to wedding planners and corporate buyers
- Build reputation for quality personalized pottery
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