Trade Tile / Azulejo de oficios 1750-1800, Barcelona, Spain Museu de Ceràmica, Barcelona Photo by Guillém Fernández

In small talleres, one or two family members might do all tasks; in larger workshops the work was divided: one person to throw or construct the pots, one to glaze, one to paint, someone to monitor the kiln, and someone to bring the fuel. The maestro might take on an apprentice, agreeing to feed and clothe him and take care of medical expenses for a number of years until he was ready to take the exam to become a journeyman and then a maestro.

Beginning in the 17th century in both Spain and Mexico, mayólica potters were regulated by guilds (gremios). The guild was a formal organization with regulations whose purpose was to provide quality control and to protect potters against inferior imitations of their work as well as price gouging. The regulations specified who could become a master potter, what his training should be, how long one must apprentice before having his own workshop and store, and what materials, designs and colors he could use.