Why Wait? The Road to Perfect Custom Wares
Tucked away inside 230 Fifth Avenue in New York City, on the 13th (!) floor is a true gem of tabletop procurement: the LMT Provisions showroom inside the Singer M Tucker offices.
Yes, I may be biased, but I truly believe there is no better place in the country to start your tabletop journey, especially if you are looking to customize your dinnerware. Is this you? Are you opening a restaurant in the next six to twelve months? If so, why wait? These are the commonly asked questions we get when starting the custom wares conversation.
What is the lead time for custom dinnerware?
Lead times can vary depending on the factory, the time of the year and the size of your order. Since the pandemic—surprise!—lead times have gotten longer. Some vendors can turn around a custom order in as little as 4-6 weeks while most suppliers are currently working in a time frame of about 6 months!
What is the order minimum?
Order minimums vary by manufacturer and shape. Figgjo Norway only requires an order of 48 pieces per design, while some manufacturers ask customers to order at least 25 dozen pieces!
Can you give me some design inspiration?
Absolutely! We are tabletop design experts. Our team is fully immersed in the dinnerware landscape and brings unparalleled knowledge to the presentation process. We will put together unique designs based on your concept and style of service and work with our many factory partners to help determine the best selections for your restaurant space.
Will my artwork wash off eventually?
Not when you order from Singer! With our hospitality forward brand partners, all artwork is applied ‘under glaze’ and then fired once again to ensure your designs live a long life cycle.*
* Real gold décor will fade over time. This is because it can only be applied above glaze.
Why can’t I have a custom shape?
Technically, you can! However, a custom dinnerware shape requires custom tooling of a mold so it is heavily time consuming and requires a much higher order minimum for a factory to justify such an investment in product development. The process is expensive, and that’s why customization is much more easily achieved with artwork on the surface of the plate.
What do I need to get started?
Artwork and a dream! No matter what factory you place your with, you will need to supply your artwork files with our team to ensure the final product is as crisp as possible. Adobe Illustrator is always preferred but a high-resolution vector file is also often acceptable!
Ready to begin the conversation about custom wares (china, glassware and even cutlery)? Send us an email at [email protected] to get started today.
Singer Equipment Company is the fourth largest foodservice equipment and supply dealer in the United States and remains privately owned and operated in its third generation of family leadership. Headquartered in Elverson, Pennsylvania, Singer maintains offices and 8 distribution centers throughout the East Coast. Singer offers the power of a century of experience combined with highly personalized service delivered nationwide.
