Written byCOMAIN·
Tableware, Vases & Tea Sets Großhandelsbeschaffung von Keramikgeschirr: B2B-Leitfaden · ← B2B Plate Sizing Standards for
A single reference for the numbers that decide whether a ceramic order ships clean: fired sizes, tolerances, wall thickness, packing density and the test standards US and EU buyers actually ask for. Every figure below is what we quote on our own production lines, and each one is specific enough to put on a purchase order.


Mug sizes: capacity, dimensions and weight
| Nennweite | Kapazität | Durchmesser an der Oberseite | Höhe | Body weight | Wall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 oz | 230–240 ml | 75–78 mm | 85–90 mm | 260–300 g | 4.0–4.5 mm |
| 11 oz | 320–340 ml | 80–84 mm | 95–100 mm | 320–380 g | 4.0–4.5 mm |
| 15 oz | 440–460 ml | 85–90 mm | 110–118 mm | 420–480 g | 4.5–5.0 mm |
| Espresso | 80–90 ml | 55–58 mm | 55–60 mm | 120–150 g | 3.5–4.0 mm |
Capacity is measured to the rim minus 10 mm of headroom, which is the fill line a customer actually uses. A mug quoted at 350 ml that overflows at 300 ml was measured to the brim.
Plate sizes: fired diameter and weight
| Nominal | Fired diameter | Well depth | Weight (stoneware) | Weight (porcelain) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 inch | 150–155 mm | 12–14 mm | 200–240 g | 150–180 g |
| 8 inch | 200–205 mm | 15–17 mm | 380–430 g | 300–340 g |
| 10 inch | 250–257 mm | 18–20 mm | 560–620 g | 450–500 g |
| 11 inch | 275–282 mm | 20–22 mm | 680–750 g | 540–600 g |
| Charger | 320–335 mm | flat, 8–10 mm rim | 850–1,000 g | 700–820 g |
Clay shrinks 10–13 percent between forming and glaze firing, so a 30 cm jigger mould lands at 264–270 mm. Always specify the fired number.
Bowls: capacity at a given depth
| Diameter | Tiefe | Usable capacity | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 115 mm | 45 mm | 150–180 ml | Dipping, dessert |
| 125 mm | 75 mm | 450–520 ml | Matcha, soup |
| 150 mm | 60 mm | 520–600 ml | Pasta, salad |
| 180 mm | 70 mm | 850–950 ml | Ramen, sharing |
Two suppliers quoting a “125 mm bowl” can differ by 120 ml. Ask for the millilitre figure at the stated depth.
Tolerances to write into the PO
| Eigenschaft | Standard tolerance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fired diameter | ±2% | On a 267 mm plate that is 261–272 mm |
| Höhe | ±3% | Includes foot ring variation |
| Body weight | ±5% | Drives carton gross weight and freight |
| Glaze thickness | 0.25–0.35 mm | Below 0.20 mm crazes within 18 months |
| Handle pull strength | 5 kg static, 60 s | Test on 5 pieces per batch |
| Flatness (plate) | ≤1.5 mm across the well | Beyond that a plate rocks on a table |
| Colour match | ΔE ≤ 1.5 vs approved chip | Measure under D65 light |
Packing and cubage
| Produkt | Inner | Master | Master volume | Gross weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 oz mug | 12 pcs | 48 pcs | 0.048–0.055 m³ | 17–19 kg |
| 27 cm plate | 12 pcs | 48 pcs | 0.048 m³ | 34–38 kg |
| 125 mm bowl | 12 pcs | 72 pcs | 0.042 m³ | 16–18 kg |
| 12 cm planter | 12 pcs | 12 pcs | 0.032 m³ | 5.2 kg |
| Travel tea set | 1 set | 12 sets | 0.055 m³ | 14 kg |
On a 40 foot high cube at 68 m³ usable, 0.048 m³ per master means about 1,410 masters. A 2 cm change in carton dimension moves that by 4 to 6 percent.
Test standards and what they cover
| Market | Standard | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| USA | FDA 21 CFR 175.300 | Food-contact resin and glaze extraction |
| USA (California) | Prop 65 | Lead and cadmium warning thresholds |
| EU / Germany | LFGB §30 & §31 | Migration limits and sensory testing |
| EU general | 1935/2004/EC | Framework regulation for food contact |
| Dishwasher | 500 cycles at 60 °C | Decoration and glaze durability |
| Microwave | No metallic decoration | Gold and platinum decals are not microwave safe |
A test report should name the article, the glaze and the lab’s accreditation. A report that says “ceramic ware” without an article reference will be rejected by most retail buyers.
Sampling: the three stages
First, a white body sample to confirm geometry and weight. Second, a glazed sample to confirm colour under your own lighting, not the factory’s. Third, a production sample pulled after the first 200 pieces of the run, which is the only stage that catches shrinkage drift and glaze batch variation.
Keep one piece from each stage and photograph it next to a ruler. A photo without scale cannot settle a claim six months later.
How to use this reference in practice
Numbers on a page only help if they reach the purchase order. The practical workflow is to copy the relevant table into the PO, delete what does not apply, and add the two items that are specific to your order: the glaze code and the artwork file reference.
A complete PO for a mug order therefore carries six lines: fired capacity and diameter with tolerance, body weight with tolerance, glaze code plus a retained fired chip, decoration method and position, packing specification with carton cubage and gross weight, and the test standard required for the destination market.
For a plate order, replace the decoration line with well depth and flatness, and add the charger pairing if the range includes one. For a bowl, capacity at the stated depth replaces weight as the critical line, because two bowls with the same diameter can differ by 120 ml.
Keep the reference updated as specifications change. A number that was correct two years ago is worse than no number, because it gets copied into an order that the factory then builds to.
Two habits keep the reference useful: date every revision and note which factory line it came from. A tolerance that holds on one kiln does not automatically hold on another, and a number without a source is a number that gets argued about.
The five mistakes we see most
Quoting inches and tolerating centimetres. Approving a single sample instead of a range. Specifying the box before the fired size is fixed. Ignoring carton cubage until the freight quote arrives. And accepting a test report that names no article.
For the mug-specific detail behind this reference, see our ceramic mug specifications reference. For plate geometry and well areas, the plate sizing standards guide goes deeper, and current shapes are listed in the Keramikbecher und Geschirr ranges.
Range: Geschirr · Keramikbecher.
More in this series: Tableware, Vases & Tea Sets
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- Handgefertigtes Keramikgeschirr: Leitfaden für den Großhandel
- Großhandel mit Keramikgeschirr für Restaurants: So beziehen Sie Geschirr aus China
- Hotel Ceramic Dinnerware: Replacement Planning
- Maßgefertigtes Porzellangeschirr: Mindestbestellmenge, handwerkliche Herstellung und was bei der Bestellung anzugeben ist
- Großhandel mit Keramikvasen: Ein Einkaufsleitfaden für Importeure und Einzelhändler
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