Skytone by Homer Laughlin | Classic Restaurant China
We introduced Skytone in the 1940s as a versatile, durable dinnerware solution for restaurants, hotels, and institutions. This fully vitrified china combines exceptional strength with timeless design, available in five classic glazes: Bright White, Azure, Tangerine, Shamrock, and Lemon. Each piece is fired at high temperatures to create a dense, non-porous body that resists chipping, staining, and thermal shock.
Skytone's simple coupe shape and rich color palette make it equally suited for casual diners and upscale banquet settings. Our American-made china withstands thousands of commercial dishwasher cycles while maintaining its brilliant glaze and smooth finish, making it one of the most cost-effective investments in foodservice tableware.
Why Skytone is a restaurant favorite
Vitrified china construction & glaze quality
Skytone by Homer Laughlin is crafted from a dense vitrified china body that undergoes high-temperature firing to eliminate porosity. This process creates a material that absorbs less than 0.5% moisture, preventing bacteria growth and staining even after years of heavy use. The glaze is applied in a thick, even coat and fired directly onto the body, forming a chemical bond that won’t crack, craze, or peel.
Each of our five glaze colors—Bright White, Azure, Tangerine, Shamrock, and Lemon—maintains its vibrancy through thousands of wash cycles. We formulate every glaze to be lead-free and cadmium-free, exceeding FDA standards for food contact safety. The smooth, non-porous surface resists scratching from flatware and won’t retain odors or flavors between uses.
Skytone glaze colors & design versatility
Our five Skytone glazes give you flexibility to create signature table presentations or mix colors for visual interest. Bright White offers a clean, classic backdrop that works with any cuisine style. Azure brings a soft, calming blue reminiscent of mid-century modern design. Tangerine adds warmth and energy to casual dining environments, while Shamrock provides an earthy, organic feel. Lemon delivers a cheerful pop of color without overwhelming plated food.
Color-blocking & mix-and-match styling
Many operators purchase multiple glaze colors and combine them on a single table—pairing Azure dinner plates with Bright White bowls, or using Tangerine accent plates alongside Shamrock dinner plates. The coupe shape and consistent rim width across all colors make mixing seamless. Because Skytone’s body composition and firing process are identical across all glazes, thermal expansion rates match perfectly, preventing cracking when stacked or stored together.
Durability in commercial foodservice environments
Skytone is engineered specifically for the rigors of commercial kitchens. The rolled edge design on plates and platters distributes impact force across a wider surface area, significantly reducing edge chipping when pieces are stacked or bumped. Cups and bowls feature reinforced handles and footrings that resist breakage during handling and washing.
Our vitrified china withstands temperature swings from freezer to oven to dishwasher without thermal shock damage. You can safely heat Skytone pieces to 350°F for warming food or holding service, then immediately transfer them to a commercial dishwasher running at 180°F wash and 200°F rinse temperatures. The glaze finish resists common commercial detergents and sanitizers, maintaining its color and shine through 5,000+ wash cycles. This durability translates directly to lower replacement costs and reduced breakage loss over the life of your operation.
Complete your Skytone table setting
Rated 4.8 by verified buyers
Common questions about Skytone dinnerware
Yes, Skytone is microwave safe for reheating food. The vitrified china body and lead-free glaze do not contain metallic elements that would cause arcing or sparking. For best results, heat food in short intervals and use microwave-safe covers to prevent splatter. The china will become hot during microwaving, so handle with care or use oven mitts when removing pieces.
Skytone is oven-safe up to 350°F, making it suitable for warming plates, finishing dishes under a broiler, or holding food in warming cabinets. Preheat pieces gradually rather than placing cold china directly into a hot oven to minimize thermal stress. Avoid direct flame contact or temperatures exceeding 350°F, which can damage the glaze over time.
Skytone is fully vitrified china, which is fired at higher temperatures than most porcelain and all stoneware. This creates a denser, less porous body with superior strength and lower absorption rates. Vitrified china resists chipping better than porcelain and is lighter than stoneware of comparable thickness. For commercial foodservice, vitrified china offers the best balance of durability, weight, and cost.
All five Skytone glaze colors—Bright White, Azure, Tangerine, Shamrock, and Lemon—are formulated to the same durability standards and fired using identical processes. Color pigments do not affect the glaze's resistance to chipping, staining, or fading. You can expect the same performance and lifespan regardless of which color you choose.
We sell Skytone by the case, with case quantities varying by item. Dinner plates typically come 12 or 24 per case, while smaller items like cups or fruit bowls may be packed 36 per case. There is no minimum dollar amount or total case requirement—you can order as few or as many cases as your operation needs. Contact our foodservice sales team for current case pack configurations and pricing.
Custom decoration is available on Skytone through our decal application service. Minimum order quantities for custom work typically start at 500 pieces per design, with setup fees for artwork preparation and screen creation. We can apply logos, text, borders, or decorative patterns in one or more colors. Custom orders require 8-12 weeks lead time depending on complexity and quantity. Contact our custom design team for a detailed quote and timeline.
Stack Skytone pieces of the same size and shape together, separating stacks with dish rack dividers or shelf liners to prevent scratching. Avoid stacking too high—12 to 18 plates per stack is ideal to prevent bottom pieces from bearing excessive weight. Store in a dry area away from edges where pieces could be knocked off shelves. Use plate carts or mobile racks for high-volume operations to reduce handling and transport damage.