I am very reluctant in making this post; you know why? I have not even seen a chalk for over half a decade; this is probably because I stayed in Lagos or my job is not related to the use of chalk.
However, chalk production is a good business if you live in a place that is close to the rural area; a place where schools, mosques, and churches still use black board.
Benefits of Chalk Production Business
- Not capital intensive
- Less than 2 hours production time
- It’s lucrative – if you are close to rural areas
- It’s safe for health
- It’s easily branded
Demerit of Chalk Production Business
You can not keep the production. By this, I mean, you must make sure you are ready for this chalk production before you even start producing; because the production will be a waste if left unattended to.
Chemicals Used in Making Chalk production
- Plaster of Paris (POP): Plastic of Paris (POP) is the most important component in chalk production; as there is no chalk production without the presence of Plaster of Paris (POP).
- Calcium Carbonate: Calcium Carbonate is a filler added to POP to increase its quantity.
- Water: This is used for mixing the two major materials to make a paste – chalk.
Step By Step Guide On Chalk Production
Step 1: Get a bucket with cover
Step 2: Add 3kg of Plaster of Paris into the bucket
Step 3: Add 1kg of Calcium Carbonate into the bucket and mix properly with your hand and make sure that the mixture is neither watery nor too thick.
Pouring The Calk Solution Into The Mold
Stage 1: Make sure all the pieces of the mold are properly washed with water
Stage 2: Couple all the mold pieces together with the provided traded rod and make
sure they are tightly closed to avoid leakages.
Stage 3: Pour the solution into the mold. Shake the mold and use your hand to guide the solution as you are pouring to ensure that it gets to the bottom of the mold and fill it properly. The solution should be poured at the center of the mold.
Removing Chalk From The Mold
Step 1: Allow the chalk paste to stay in the mold for 15 – 20 minutes for the first stage of drying to take place
Step 2 : Unscrew the nut and open the mold one after the other
Step 3: Remove the first layer, bend it slightly backward to release the chalk from the mold
Step 4: After the chalk is a bit free, use your hand to remove it one by one.
Step 5: Follow this step with the other layers of the mold till the last layer
Step 6: Arrange the chalk in a tray for drying
Drying Your Chalks
There are basically two ways of dry your chalk namely: Natural Method and Artificial Method
Natural Method – This method involved the use of the natural Sun to dry your chalk. You simply need to spread the chalk in the sun for it to dry. Unfortunately, this is not possible during raining season.
Artificial Method – This is method involves the use of oven to dry your chalk.
Chalk Packaging
Chalk packaging comes in two ways – Light Packaging and Hard Packaging.
Light Packaging is when you package your chalk in a transparent polythene bags with your brand name and other information printed on it.
Hard Packaging is whereby you package your chalk in small boxes with you brand name and contact information on the boxes.