Trim and smooth crafted ceramic items

This standard covers the skills and knowledge you need to trim, fettle and smooth formed ceramic and associated products of simple and complex shapes (e.g. sponging and fettling ceramic, fettling cold-cast products). 

This process is hand-led. It involves trimming, fettling and smoothing formed products. You will check products, materials and equipment before trimming, monitor and control the process, minimise waste and rework, make changes to how you work within the limits of your responsibility and ensure that that the completed work meets required standards. 

This standard is suitable for those who are self-employed, working for a sole practitioner or within a workshop or studio. 

The following should be considered when working in craft: 

 Safe working practices 

 Ethics and sustainabilit

You must be able to: 

 

P1 check that products and equipment meet the required standard before trimming, fettling and smoothing 

P2 trim, fettle and smooth products to the required standard

P3 recognise any difficulties with trimming, fettling and smoothing products to the required quantity and quality and correct them, or report difficulties outside your control to the correct person 

P4 check that products you have trimmed, fettled and smoothed meet the required standards 

You need to know and understand: 

 

K1 what the quality standards are for products that you trim, fettle and smooth 

K2 what checks to carry out before starting to trim, fettle and smooth products 

K3 why is it important to check products and/or materials and equipment before you start to trim, fettle and smooth products 

K4 what to do with damaged or faulty equipment and materials 

K5 the differences in the ways in which you trim, fettle and smooth simple and complex shapes 

K6 different types of products which may need to be trimmed, fettled and smoothed 

K7 the different methods which can be used to trim, fettle and smooth products and what problems can occur 

K8 why care must be taken when moving and handling trimmed, fettled and smoothed products and what could happen if you didn’t 

K9 how the materials you use are produced 

1 Simple shapes 

1.1 flatware 

2 Complex shapes 

2.1 curved/rounded or with awkward angles