Custom Glazes and Testing: The Hidden Cost of Experimentation and Color Development
You develop a new glaze. You mix test tiles. You fire once. Results are dull. You adjust materials, test again. Three firings later, you've spent $50 in materials and 6 hours of labor. The customer pays $20 for the custom glaze option. You've lost money. This guide teaches you to budget for R&D and price development work.
The Cost of Glaze Development
Typical Glaze Development Process
Initial mixing and test tiles: $5-$10 materials + 1 hour labor ($50) = $55-$60
First firing: $1-$2 kiln cost + 30 min review ($25)
Revisions (average 2-3 iterations): $5-$10 materials each + 1 hour labor each = $50-$75
Additional firings: $1-$2 each = $2-$6
Total R&D cost: $120-$160 to develop one production glaze
Reality: Most potters absorb this cost as an "overhead" of running a studio. This is correct—but you need to track it and ensure your prices recover it.
Budgeting for R&D
Two approaches to R&D costs:
Approach 1: R&D as Overhead (Most Common)
Allocate 5-10% of revenue to R&D (developing new glazes, testing new forms, experimenting). Track it in your P&L as a business expense. Build into your overall product prices.
Example: If you sell $50K/year, budget $2,500-$5,000 annually for experimentation.
Approach 2: Charge Customers for Custom Glaze Development
If customer requests a custom glaze never before made, charge $50-$100 for development (covers testing and iterations). Then charge regular price for the final piece.
Example: Customer wants a custom sunset glaze. You charge $75 development fee + $150 for the completed mug = $225 total.
Recommendation: Use Approach 1 for standard innovation (developing new signature glazes), and Approach 2 for bespoke customer requests.
Efficient Testing Strategies
Reduce R&D cost without losing quality:
Batch test tiles: Fire test tiles with production ware. Don't fire test tiles alone.
Glaze archives: Document every glaze ever made. Revive successful old formulas instead of reinventing.
Limited seasonal palettes: Introduce 1-2 new glazes per season. Spread development over time.
Collaboration: Join potter networks. Share glaze tests. Reduce individual R&D burden.
Key Takeaways
✓ Developing one glaze typically costs $120-$160 in materials and labor
✓ Budget 5-10% of revenue for R&D as a business overhead expense
✓ For customer-requested custom glaze development, charge $50-$100 development fee
✓ Batch test tiles with production ware to reduce kiln costs
✓ Build glaze archives and revive successful old recipes instead of constant reinvention
Innovate Profitably. Track R&D Costs.
TrueCraft budgets R&D as a line item in your financial planning.
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