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Dishware Patterns: What You Need to Know

From stoneware to melamine, dinnerware comes in many materials, each with its own features and drawbacks. Before considering restaurant dinnerware patterns, it's important to understand the material, so we'll discuss the options here and go into detail on their patterns below.

• Melamine is a lightweight but sturdy plastic with a gloss finish and inflexible feel. Because of its durability, we recommend this material for high-volume establishments. Melamine is dishwasher safe on the top rack but should never be used to heat up food in microwaves.
• Vitrified glass dishware gets its durable, nonporous construction from being fired at extremely high temperatures. Some dinnerware made of this material is near indestructible, as vitrified glass won't break or chip when dropped on hard surfaces, and it's safe for microwaves and dishwashers.
• Bone china is constructed from both porcelain clay and animal bones. Producing a delicate, lightweight, and translucent material with a milky appearance, it's heated at slightly lower temperatures than porcelain. Despite its fragile appearance, bone china is the most durable dinnerware material. Most bone china is dishwasher and microwave safe, but it can't be microwaved if it has metallic banding.
• China and porcelain are interchangeable terms that refer to dinnerware made of a fine particle clay, which consists of feldspar, quartz, and kaolin heated to high temperatures – the resulting dishware is nonporous and durable. Porcelain dinnerware appears delicate, translucent, and thin, while shaped details can be incorporated into its design. Most of this dishware is safe for microwaves and ovens, though china with a border of gold, platinum, or silver shouldn't be microwaved. Lemon-scented detergents also can damage metal accents. Porcelain is often used for formal dining service, though it's suitable for casual service as well.
• Stoneware is a form of ceramic dinnerware that's more durable than earthenware because glass material is often added to enhance strength. Stoneware has a finer body than porcelain and china dishware and is more opaque. This material has three finish options: satin, shiny, and matte. Stoneware is best for casual settings, being simple to maintain and use, and safe for microwaves and dishwashers. However, you should always check your manufacturer's care and maintenance instructions to confirm what equipment your dishware will be safe in.
• Earthenware is a glazed, fired ceramic that has a rustic, thick look often used for hand-painted designs, and typically it's less expensive than other dinnerware materials. It isn't as durable as other materials, chips easily, and can absorb liquids if it's submerged in them, though most are safe for dishwasher use.

Common Questions About Dinnerware Patterns

What should you consider when selecting dishware patterns?

Choosing restaurant dinnerware patterns is an important step in foodservice planning. Before making your selection, consider the ambiance you'd like your business to have. Is the establishment casual or formal? Do you want to be trendy and fun, or sophisticated and refined? Are you aiming for an upscale, posh setting or something warm and inviting?

Which dinnerware patterns do you need?

For fine dining, we recommend porcelain or china dishware patterns, while the restaurant dinnerware patterns found on melamine dinnerware are best for casual settings. Invest in serving pieces with geometric dinnerware patterns for a trendy feel. For something more fun, go with dinnerware patterns that have pops of color. Classic white plates with little to no dishware patterns are ideal for coffee shops and bakeries while restaurant dinnerware patterns that have bold designs and colors tend to work well with ethnic restaurant concepts. Generally, your commercial dinnerware pattern should complement the establishment's overall design.

What are your options when it comes to commercial dinnerware patterns?

Dinnerware patterns can be broken down into four main categories: oriental, banded, geometric, and floral. As the name implies, oriental dishware patterns have an Asian theme. Banded restaurant dinnerware patterns consist of a largely plain piece of dishware with a colorful rim; the value of these dishes changes based on the rim's metal. Geometric commercial dinnerware patterns consist of strong lines, while floral dinnerware patterns feature flora and fauna.