If Josiah Spode I were to return to his factory today, he would find many of the processes and techniques perfectly familiar. Because, in essence, Spode products are still made the way they always have been made.

Scientific tests prove that Spode is the whitest, strongest and most translucent Fine Bone China, due to faithful adherence to the original 18th century formula. But this does limit the amount of mechanization that can be employed in the manufacturing process; so a higher degree of artistry, hand work and craftsman skills are required throughout all stages of production.

Traditionally, Spode have always employed a strong team of talented designers, with each a piece of tableware individually designed to ensure that the pattern is perfectly balanced with its shape and size.
Manufacture begins with the raw ingredients - calcined bone, china clay and (china or Cornish) stone - being mixed with water in a 'blunger', before being purified and having a large proportion of the water removed in a filter press. After maturing for a few days, the clay passes through a pug mill to extract every bubble of air.

'Making' is divided into four main processes: flat making of plates, saucers etc; cup making; pressing by hand of casting, again by hand, of hollowware such as soup tureens, tea and coffee pots. At Spode, scallops on cup rims are cut by hand and handles are cut to shape and attached by hand.

After the initial biscuit firing, all tableware is glazed by hand, before the glost firing. Then the various types of decoration are applied before the final firing, with special patterns and gilding applied by skilled artists.
It's not the easiest or cheapest way to make Fine Bone China, but it is the only way to make Spode!