Zero sample

The first piece of porcelain from a new mould, a product development or a customer's own special design is ready. Modelled on the product idea, drawing or original mould, produced from the preform in the desired material, it is presented to the decision-makers as a zero sample. It is then inspected, tested and measured to ensure that all specifications, product-specific functions, dimensions and proportions meet the requirements of product development.

In most cases, the master sample is not quite as "beautiful" as the final production, as it is produced and fired individually by hand. Slight glaze gradients, rough bases or other minor imperfections are not relevant for the decision-making process when approving a mould. Much more important are the details such as "Does the lid fit on the jug?", "Can the cup be stacked?" and many other product features of a porcelain item.

In the case of complicated designs, a mix of materials (e.g. porcelain and silicone seals for tins, bowls and storage containers), multi-part set items or moulds that are particularly sensitive to rejects, the factory in the OEM business (customised products) often also checks the price calculation of the initial quotation based on the zero samples. Unfortunately, a vicious circle then usually begins with corresponding additional demands from production.

In the OEM business in particular, it occasionally happens that the customer cancels his briefing based on the zero sample, which then leads to considerable additional costs in factory product development. Models, pre-moulds and zero samples have to be produced again. In order to avoid such unnecessary costs in the interests of the customer and production, we always record the customer briefing ourselves in the OEM business.

If the master sample is finally approved - and released for production with a "go" - the master mould is produced. A master sample should then remain in the customer's possession as a counter sample, and a signed order sample is sent to Holst Porzellan's evidence room.