Starting with items such as vases and jugs, it wasn't until 1956, after experimenting with a special mixture originated in China, they started producing the Lladro porcelain figurines for which they are now most famous. Enthusiasm for the items originated in the wealthy families of Europe and grew exponentially until the Lladró brothers had to expand their small workshop expand several times until eventually they moved to Tavernes Blanques in 1958.
The manufacturing ingredients are kept under tight guard. The process is detailed in a number of Lladró publications and is fully on view for tour groups and individuals at the City of Porcelain. (You must be a member of the Llladro Collectors Society to tour the factory.) Lladró figurines are made out of an original blend of a clay mixture, which gives the products their unique porcelain characteristics. The glaze ingredients also add to the look of the figures and is an industry secret.
Lladró figurines are given an additional title in as well as the original, however these names are frequently not translations (figurative or literal) but new names that are more likely to appeal to the English speaking audience. Another area for some confusion is that the names of the pieces have changed at times resulting the same Lladro figurine winding up with several titles.