About Custom Dinnerware Colors

Ceramic Colors

We use PMS color references, a.k.a. Pantone Matching System. Colors are referred to by a Pantone reference number. Your printer or designer should be able to provide your logo's PMS color references.

We will reproduce your image using "spot color" wherein each color in your logo is mixed and printed separately. This is different from offset printing which uses a four color process to obtain any color.

Using spot colors, we can match almost any color in your logo. There are some limitations in ceramics in addition to those noted below, but rest assured, we will guide you through the process.

Gold Bearing Colors

Ceramic colors in the pink to purple range, and maroon... contain real gold which is necessary to achieve color hue without the use of lead or cadmium. This color can be five times the cost of other color. If your image contains a gold bearing color, we let you know and suggest alternatives if possible.

Gold and Platinum used in the Image

We can print gold and platinum in a variety of finishes including:

Bright - which is a mirror like finish
Burnished - also known as coin gold, has a hand brushed look
Satin - This is a dull, matte appearance
Faux - Not real metal, rather ceramic color that is intended to replace real gold.

The main difference between gold/platinum and ceramic color is that gold/platinum is metal and it sits on top of the glaze rather than sinking into the glaze like ceramic color. This means gold/platinum will wear. You can actually take it off with an eraser if you try. This might affect your decision whether to use gold in a foodservice application. We discourage using precious metals unless your use is light and you can hand wash. Nonetheless, we'll bring all this to your attention in the initial planning session.

Lead & Cadmium Issues Affecting Custom Chinaware

Since 1980, FDA has had limits on lead and cadmium in ceramic ware products. The limits were lowered in 1991 to reduce consumer
exposure to lead in food from ceramic dishes that may have lead glazes. Most ceramic ware items sold in the United States meet
current FDA limits because manufacturers tightly control the way they make dishes to minimize the potential for lead to leach into food.

Since the FDA regulations were put in place, most reputable ceramic color manufacturers have developed "low lead" color palettes 
that achieve most colors and still meet the FDA guidelines. If there are large amounts of low lead color on a plate, we can print a
flux, ie. glaze, coat over the colors to further encapsulate any lead. We can then have an independent lab test the chinaware to insure
that it meets FDA requirements. 

Our knowledge and experience will keep you on the right side of applicable regulations.

If the ware will be shipped to California:

Unleaded Color Palette

The California state government in 1986 passed legislation that is intended to warn consumers in the state of the possibility of exposure to toxic chemicals. Officially known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, it is better known by its original name of Proposition 65.

Proposition 65 requires the State to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Currently, there are around 750 chemicals listed, with lead and cadmium being the chemicals of concern to decorators of chinaware..

Proposition 65 requires businesses to notify Californians about significant amounts of these listed chemicals in the products they purchase, in their homes or workplaces, or that are released into the environment. Proposition 65 specifically lays out the required testing method, limits for lead and cadmium leaching, and the warning requirements for articles that exceed the limits.

Limits for warning purposes are covered in the following document: Heavy Metal Limits

Ceramic ware does not need warnings if the leaching test results are below the specified levels shown above. To achieve this, the lead free color palette at left is required. It should be noted that ceramic dinnerware can exceed these limits and still be legally sold in California. If these limits are met or exceeded, Proposition 65 requires warnings (see label at left) be provided to inform consumers of the potential exposure to the toxic chemicals. In addition, Federal limits still apply.

We can discuss these issues in more detail if they apply to your company.