Making tile is an age old process, with as many variations on creation as there are on style. Handmade tile can lend interest, detail and an artistic quality to the area being tiled. Variations in texture, glaze and edging make each tile unique, and can lend a softer feeling or a great deal of movement to a space.
Hand painted tile can bring customized looks and true craftsmanship to a home; the touch and style of the artist will be evident in each tile, making the backsplash or bathroom into a work of art.
Types of Handmade Tile
There are many different ways in which a tile can be handmade. All handmade tiles will be touched by people at various stages of the process, but the processes themselves can differ widely, giving several different looks.
Handmade tiles can be truly handmade, by pressing clay, by hand, into a mold or into a box full of sand. These tiles are the most uneven in edging and surface detail. Thumb prints and other marks are often present on the backs and edges of the tiles, and a wide grout joint is required when installing them to make up the difference in edging.
Other types of handmade tile may be formed by feeding clay into a machine which extrudes and cuts the tiles. The tiles are then picked up by hand and transferred to the next station. This creates a cleaner edge, with only minor warping and variation from handling.
Decorative handmade tiles are typically made in a mold, either pressed into it by hand, or stamped with a machine. The molds themselves are usually created by a sculptor carving the shape into clay, and then casting a mold from this piece to be used again and again. Once again, the degree of variation in edging and surface texture will vary depending on the method created, but all are true works of art.
Glazing and Hand Painting Methods
Solid colored handmade tiles are usually glazed in one of two ways. Trays full of tiles can be placed into a spray booth, and a handler will then spray the tiles with a fine mist of glaze. Depending on how long this person sprays any particular area, as well as the sweep of their arm, the tiles can have variation in color from light to dark, sometimes within one tile, giving movement to the finished piece.
The second method most commonly used is dipping. In this method, tiles are picked up and dipped by hand into the glaze. This usually forms a very thick coating of glaze, which can then be wiped or sanded away in areas to expose the underbody, or secondary colors.
Handmade tiles containing multiple colors are typically hand painted by an artist. The touch of the painter can lead to brighter or more muted colors, as well as the ability to customize the piece. Requests for special placement of color are usually granted, provided a detailed chart accompanies the order, and colors are chosen from those typically used.
When handmade tiles are installed, their color and surface variations can catch the light in many different ways, giving movement and depth to the space. Utilizing handmade tiles, even in one color or with no decorative tiles can lend a great deal of beauty to a space. Commonly used shapes, such as subway tile take on new interest and design when handmade.
Pricing of handmade tiles is usually affected by how much contact the tile has had with someone’s hands; the more people to handle it, the higher the price, but the greater the variation and beauty.
Utilize handmade tiles to make something special out of a backsplash, bathroom, or even a mudroom floor. Visit local showrooms to see what handmade tiles are available, and bring some art, along with a surface covering, into the home.
Sarabeth Asaff - Sarabeth Asaff is a freelance writer and artist with a passion for cooking and good food. Growing up in the kitchen of her Lebanese ...
