All techniques used in ceramics are fallible, including ceramic decals. That makes ceramics unique. And by that I really mean ceramics are always a “one-off”.

In ceramic industry, techniques are used that ensure products are very similar. But even in this well controlled environment there are always small (minimal) differences. In fact, there is always a percentage that fails due to “production errors”.

No matter how well the ceramist controls the process, failure in the production of ceramics is unavoidable. If the specifications do not fall exactly within the set frameworks, the product is irrevocably thrown onto the ceramics waste pile (the potter’s heartbreak).

And that’s fortunate, because these mountains of ceramic shards are invaluable for research into the history of ceramics. But that’s a whole different story.