stractor.info
The basic plate is a flat slab on which you serve food. These days we have come to expect the functional plate to have a bit of a raised edge or a central depression in order to keep juicy stuff from sliding off. While they come in all sizes and shapes, the basic 12-inch, round plate with a raised rim is de rigueur for the typical North American or European table.
For such a common table item it may seem a bit surprising that more potters don’t make them. Sadly, this is a case of being out competed by cheap, mass manufactured items. There is also the annoyance factor associated with making and firing plates.
In a kiln, plates take up an amazing amount of real estate for their volume. Because of their height, a potter firing a full load of plates ends up having more kiln shelves than saleable ware in the kiln, which is inefficient and bad for the environment and business.