Order Process
As a rule, a vignette order consists of 10 phases. We briefly describe the order process from its creation to delivery to the customer.
1. Determination of the budget
In principle, the customer should first decide which quality criteria are relevant to them. If the focus is on a favourable price and the finish should only last for a relatively short period of time, then a "screen printing process" can be used. The major disadvantage of this method is that although the finish is inexpensive, it is not dishwasher-safe. As a professional supplier of hard porcelain, we take the liberty of not using the cheap screen printing process to personalise porcelain. We do not offer this form of individualisation.
The in-glaze and on-glaze finishes, which are applied in special ovens at firing temperatures between 650 and 1,250° C, are considerably more expensive but much more durable. These dishwasher-safe decorations can be applied in two ways: The direct printing process and by decal.
Normally, each production for vignette porcelain has to be calculated individually, although we have representative empirical values for standard items, e.g. coffee mugs. Various costs must be harmonised in the calculation. There are basic costs that are independent of quantity, such as the creation of a lithograph or the preparation of a ceramic realisation. Quantity-dependent costs are the application of the vignettes, the firing and the packaging of the goods. The principle "the larger an item is, the more expensive it is to finish" applies. Why this is the case can be explained in a few words: Space in the oven is expensive! The larger a product is (e.g. a pizza plate), the fewer pieces can be baked on one surface. The space required for the item in the kiln is therefore a key criterion here. The more concretely a customer can formulate their enquiry, the easier and more accurately we can prepare a quotation. Explain to the customer that a vignette calculation is always customised and depends on many parameters. Stating a rough budget helps us to plan the right pre-selection at an early stage of a customer consultation.
2. Preliminary planning
If the requested quantity is outside the so-called "customary quantities", the planned delivery time should take into account the production period of the white porcelain. With our online quantity enquiry, sorted by product group and desired quantity, we can provide specific information on which items we can supply or finish at short notice.
Define where exactly the vignette should be placed and how large it should be. For drinking cups, for example, the logo would usually be 4 x 3 cm, centred on the body, symmetrically between the handle and the front of the cup. We only produce vignettes on the inside of cups and mugs for a considerable surcharge, as this requires special testing in accordance with the German Foodstuffs Ordinance. In addition, the application of the vignette is considerably more complex than on the outside. Mouth rims and rim rings must be 2 cm away from the lip edge. Vignettes that come into direct contact with food and drink are more expensive and only a small range of colours is available.
Opposite, identical vignettes are to be counted approximately 1.5 times. Each vignette variant is to be counted as a separate vignette. Customer-owned floor stamps are also to be counted as a separate vignette.
Specify the number and design of the vignette colours and, if possible, try to make the selection in our standard colours. This saves time and money.
Explain the payment term "advance payment" honestly and openly. In rare cases and with known customers, you can extend the scope by allowing payment in instalments, but the order must always be at least 66.66% paid before handover.
3. Offer phase
From now on we take over!
Now send us your detailed vignette and article requests by email. We will check the material you send us competently and conscientiously:
the availability of the desired items the feasibility of converting the specified logo into a ceramic vignette the size, placement and application of the vignette the colour yield of the vignette specification
If we determine that the vignette planning is in need of improvement, you will receive the corresponding proposals from us immediately. If we discover that "round corners" are planned in the specification, we will draw your attention to this before submitting a quotation.
You will receive our price offer and a placement proposal within 8 days. If the artwork is good, we will create a preview image of the item in question.
4. The order
The written offer for the project has been prepared!
Once the article, vignette colour, application and print run (quantity) and delivery date have been defined and the customer has decided to place an order, we require a binding order for the project to proceed.
This phase is risk-free for the customer!
Before we accept an order from a customer, we produce a so-called "release sample". This sample corresponds completely to the final production. In order to be able to produce such an approval sample, all preliminary work and costs for a vignette order must be completed during production.
Realisation of the ceramic lithograph Production of a vignette Finishing of the porcelain Firing of the vignette
5. Release
Approximately 4 weeks after placing the order, the so-called release sample is available.
This is burnt in duplicate and serves as proof of order for both contracting parties. This sample must be approved in writing and is then archived so that both contracting parties have a production template.
If the approval sample does not meet the customer's expectations (for justified reasons), we will make improvements and create a maximum of two new order templates at our expense. If we have not achieved the customer's wishes and specifications in the third sample either, we will automatically cancel the order without charging the customer for the creation of the samples.
The order is then cancelled without any claim for reimbursement of costs for either party.
If the order sample is approved, the specified delivery time shall commence upon receipt of the approval copy at Holst Porzellan. The order goes into production.
6. Investigation
Laboratory analyses are an important part of our work!
The end customer of vignetted Holst Porzellan/Germany generally uses the items for handling food. A promotional mug is not just a coffee mug, but a product that is intended to come into contact with food.
A whole series of laws and regulations must be observed. Only very specialised laboratories and testing institutes are authorised to certify the legal conformity of a product for a distributor of food contact materials and articles.
Before we release orders with large print runs for production, we carry out a laboratory test based on the order sample.
This is the only way we can release the order for production in the first place and ultimately issue an EU-compliant declaration of suitability for our vignette porcelain on delivery with a clear conscience.
7. Production
The production of vignette porcelain usually consists of three stages.
- Production of decors (mostly screen-printed decal sheets)
- Applying the decorations to the porcelain
- Decorative firing of the vignette crockery
Many hands are needed to fire the customer's logo onto the porcelain. What is often referred to as "printing on porcelain" is a complex process in ceramic production, which often equates to the cost of white body production; ceramic decorations are fired at temperatures of up to 1,200° C.
The porcelain must be completely free of grease and dust! This is why the decoration of porcelain is usually preceded by an elaborate rinsing process to bring the shard into a decoratable state in the first place.
Please note: porcelain decoration is handmade and can never be compared with the precision of a printing machine!
8. Inspection
The quantity, value and importance of a vignette order determine the way in which the quality of Holst vignette porcelain is assured.
When producing vignettes in Asia, we always carry out a comprehensive inspection of the order before loading the goods. This inspection covers the white body, the decoration itself and compliance with many accompanying requirements.
These are e.g.
- Special packaging
- EAN labelling
- Assorted set boxes
- Insertion of accompanying documents
If we release the delivery, we have checked it thoroughly beforehand!
9. Delivery time
Depending on the timing of a vignette order, delivery usually takes place between 10 and 20 weeks after the order is placed.
Delivery times only apply from the time of written approval of an order sample. Considerable delays can occur if an order is not approved immediately after submission. It should also be noted that delivery times vary greatly from month to month and season to season. Before the Christmas period (July to October), the production times for vignette orders are considerably longer than in January, for example.
Our trained staff will help you at every stage of the quotation or order processing! Take advantage of this service and leave the realisation of your vignette porcelain to those who can: Holst Porzellan/Germany
10. Delivery
The delivery of a vignette order made in Germany does not require any special skills. We have efficient and conscientious hauliers here who carefully comply with their customers' specifications. You don't have this certainty with overseas deliveries and above all you are dependent on reliable personnel. At Holst Porzellan, containerised goods are loaded under the critical eye of our own employees. We already know the condition of the goods four weeks before arrival. Each consignment is documented in writing and visually before shipment, thus ensuring compliance with our specified standards.