Startup

How to Set-Up a Pottery Industry in India

Pottery industry is a major revenue generator for many rural/small-scale households. The Indian handicraft sector is a major exporter of handicrafts and other art-related products to the global markets. If you also enjoy making clay wares and you are looking for a method to transform your hobby into a revenue generator then you can refer this blog and help yourself.

History and Scope of Pottery Industry

India is one of the most important suppliers of handicrafts to the global markets. The handicraft business is expanding at a consistent pace and is spreading its wings across various nations. The pottery-making industry exported products a total value worth US$ 3.3 billion in 2012-13. Furthermore, it registered a growth of approximately 22% over the previous years.

The state of Uttar Pradesh in India is a major producer of pottery items in India. The part of the state like Khurja, Chinhar, Chunar, Phulpur, Mathura, Agra, Vrindavan, Ghaziabad, Jhansi, Moradabad, Kanpur Etmadpur, Rampur, Aligarh are majorly engaged in creating clay pottery wares and are a major producer. The pottery industry in Uttar Pradesh^[1] altogether consists of 600 units, out of which 570 are actively participating. Furthermore, the working units are divided into three categories, namely, Independent Units, Semi-Independent Units, and Dependent Units.

Overview of Indian Pottery Industry

Some of the major market players of industrial pottery in India are;

• Hiltkari Pottery
• Palam Pottery: manufacturer of pottery products
• Pelican Pottery
• Jaipur glass industry: Producers of the famous “Blue Pottery”
• Heritage Pottery
• Blue art flower vases works
• Venus industries and emporium
• Lacmi air and potteries house
• Terakots: A major manufacturer and exporter of black pottery In India

Importance of Handicrafts Industry for Society

The Indian Handicrafts Industry holds a huge amount of scope for growth in the global market.  The handicraft business in India has evolved over the past few years and is serving as a crucial revenue generator industry. The handicrafts industry help artisans uplift their economic conditions and reduce poverty. These artisans can work in all seasons in their leisure time. The manufacturing cost of making such handicrafts is low because the raw material such as clay is easily and locally available and they do not need to import any material from any other state or country, unlike any other industry. Due to the same reason, it is categorized as the Small Scale Industry or House Hold Industry. Furthermore, often it is called as Women-Focused Craft Industry because it is a sector mostly managed by women from their households. The women can work from home and also effectively maintain a balance in their home and work responsibilities.

The pottery industry rather the whole handicrafts industry earns from both the domestic and international markets. The abundance and easy availability of raw materials enable artisans to easily start their own small scale business anytime they wish. Also, craftspersons can work full time and generate as many items as they want. Furthermore, these craft people can manage the supply and demand for their products. They can store their products at their respective homes and sell them when there is a demand.

Skill Required for Setting-Up your own Pottery Business

Are you interested in crafts? Is making pottery your hobby? Also, you want to make money by selling them? If yes, you need to learn how to set up a pottery business, but before that, you excel some skill and become a perfectionist. 

If you want to start a handicraft business and make some serious money you need to sell good quality products.  You cannot sell products or items you make that are crooked or twisted or are easily breakable. For that, it is advised to learn how to make potteries. You can join courses and workshops in order to learn the basics of crafting. Generally, you can choose undergraduate degree programs in ceramics and also you can attend ceramic training workshops.

Generally, the undergraduate degree courses provide skill-based lessons to students and teach skills such as wheel shaping, relief-mold construction, hand molding, and kiln safety. Also, you get to learn about making uniform pottery shapes, monitoring clay thickness, clay carving skills, and glazing techniques.

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Checklist for Starting a Pottery Business

You can follow the following steps to start your clay ware business;

1. Draft a business plan: Draft your business plan and include every detail about what you are planning to do. Mention the ways in which you are going to operate your business, where you see yourself in the next 3-5 years and decide the heights you want to achieve. Also, decide on factors like, how you are going to sell your products, your target audience, and how much profit you would make, etc.
2. Licensing: n states demand proper licensing and permissions to start a pottery business. You can contact your respective state government for getting information about the licenses or permissions you need to sell your clay art in your state or outside. However, if you are thinking of establishing a professional pottery studio, they would require the Certificate of Occupancy {CO}. Acquiring a CO ensures that you are complying with all the rules such as building codes, zoning laws, and relevant government regulations. Additionally, you can take the help of a business consultant before initiating the business.
3. Deciding location: If you are thinking of starting a business in clay crafting you need to decide a place to set up your business. Is you are low on budget, you can start a home-based business. However, setting up a commercial pottery studio holds more potential of earning revenue generation. If you are starting your entity from home you need to allocate a separate space for working and keeping your artworks. Also, you need to decide where you are going to keep your tools, raw materials, finished goods, etc. and provide the right storage facility for the same.
4. Procuring supplies: Furthermore, when you have decided to do your own clay working business you also would need some essential tools to be able to make them. Here is a list of some equipment and tools you would need;
   1. Clay
   2. Hand tools
   3. Carving and decorating tools
   4. Glaze and colorants
   5. Potter’s wheel
   6. Worktable
   7. Shelves/racks for storage and display of your clay wares
   8. Kiln
   9. Pugmill
   10. Business card
   11. Product catalog
5. Fix your item’s price: You need to fix a price for your entire product range you are going to sell. Also, produce/manufacture products that anyone would like to buy. Your product range can consist of items such as;
   1. Mugs
   2. Plates
   3. Cups
   4. Saucers
   5. Serving plates
   6. Vases
   7. Pots
   8. Tiles
   9. Jewelry
   10. Teapots
   11. Jugs and many more
6. Start selling: Finally, decide on ways to sell your products. It may include selling online, setting up a commercial pottery studio, selling offline through shops, malls, retailers, etc. additionally, you can consider reserving a table at an art fair and selling your products there.

Conclusion

If you consider yourself an artist and creating anything is what you like. Also, if pottery is your hobby and you are somewhat good at it. Then you should seriously consider setting-up your pottery business and earn from selling your items. The pottery industry is often called “from mud to money” industry/sector. So it can become a good source of income as the initial costings are really low and you can start from scratch, with the help of very few tools and equipment.

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