We get many questions from people who want to make their own
tiles. Many questions are answered in the following
tips.
Tip #30: Making Ceramic Tiles
Tip #32: Impressing Patterns in Clay
Tip #33: Using Leaves
It is very possible to make your own
tiles. You do need access to a kiln, as oven baked clays are not
durable enough for tile. You can use a slab roller or a simple
rolling pin, and Tip #30 gives ways to minimize warpage of your
tiles.
Tile making equipment can be
found on the following pages:
Books on tile making and mosaics:
http://www.bigceramicstore.com/Books/tilemosaicbooks.htm
Rolling pins, thickness strips,
texture makers: http://www.bigceramicstore.com/Supplies/HandbuildingTools.htm
Holders / setters for firing:
http://www.bigceramicstore.com/Supplies/KilnFurniture/beadtileplate.htm
Slab rollers
http://www.bigceramicstore.com/Supplies/slabrollers/slabrollers.htm
Tiles can be made from low fire or
high fire clay. For countertops and areas that get a lot of water
(such as bathrooms), high fire stoneware or porcelain clay is better
(Cone 2 and above.) For backsplashes and similar areas, low fire
clay is fine. Low fire clay can be used in areas such as
counters and showers if the glaze is a good fit, but it takes
experimentation to get a good combination of clay and glaze. When
making tiles for the floor, matte finishes are best for safety, as they
are less slippery. If unglazed low fire clay is used (for example,
if you are simulating Mexican Saltillo Tiles), the tiles need to be
sealed regularly to keep the dirt out. This is because the low
fire clays are porous.
People often ask about painting or glazing commercial tiles.
 | The first option is acrylic paints which are not fired in a
kiln. They will not be durable and will scratch
off. This is only recommended for decorative purposes, not
functional. No food contact. |
| The next option is applying low fire glazes and re-firing.
This can work very well, but you have to test. Different
glazes will react differently over the base tile you are working
with. Your original tile may change colors. The new
glaze may sit well on the tile, or it may pool into spots when
fired. There really is no simple answer other than to try
it. |
| A better option is to use bisque tiles, which have been made and
already fired once. You glaze those and have them fired, and
they will be very durable. We sell bisque tiles by the case in
4" and 6" sizes. |
| Lastly, there is a product that many people have seen on
television decorating shows, which you paint into commercial pottery
and bake in the oven. They are called Glossies by Liquitex.
They are typically available at chain craft stores such as
Michael's. We haven't tested them and are not sure how durable
they are, or the resulting surface is food safe. |
