How to use: Tiles
A tile is a flat blank of a repeatable size — for wall decoration, coasters or panels. The tool keeps the edges even and, if it carries a pattern, textures the surface at the same time. The real challenge with tiles is not forming them, it is drying them flat.
- 01
Prepare an even slab
Roll the clay on canvas between guide rails, typically 8-10 mm. A tile shrinks 8-12 percent while drying and firing, so the blank is always larger than the final size.
- 02
Even out the surface
Pass a rib or roller over the slab in two directions. An even surface means less warping and a more visible pattern.
- 03
Cut the tile
Hold the tool perpendicular and press evenly with your whole palm until it cuts through. Do not twist the tool — twisting ripples the tile edge.
- 04
Press the texture
If the set includes a pattern, press it right after cutting, on a soft surface, in one confident push. A depth of 1-2 mm is enough for the glaze to pool nicely in the grooves.
- 05
Finish the edges
Wipe the rim with a damp sponge and slightly round the edge. A sharp edge is the first thing to chip after firing and makes even glazing harder.
- 06
Dry flat and weighted
Dry tiles on a flat board or plaster slab, interleaved with paper, and weight them with a second board for the first 24 hours. This is the key step — without it the tile curls like a boat.
- 07
Finish drying
After the first day uncover the tiles and dry them slowly for 3-5 days, turning them once a day so both faces release water evenly.
- 08
Firing and glazing
Bisque fire, sand the back, and glaze only the face and sides. Stack tiles flat in the kiln on a grog bed, never on their edge.
Frequently asked questions
- My tiles warp while drying
- Almost always drying too fast on one side. Dry them flat, covered with plastic, weighted for the first day, and turn them once a day.
- What thickness is optimal?
- 8-10 mm for wall tiles. Thinner ones crack more easily, thicker ones needlessly extend drying and firing.
- Why is the tile smaller after firing?
- Clay shrinks by 8-12 percent depending on the body. If you need an exact final size, make a test piece and measure your own clay shrinkage.
- The edges are ragged
- Clay that is too dry, or twisting the tool while cutting. Press straight down in one move and wipe the rim with a damp sponge.
- Can I combine tiles into a continuous pattern?
- Yes, as long as they all come from the same slab and dry in the same conditions — then the shrinkage matches and the joints stay even.
- How do I wash the tool?
- Lukewarm water with a soft brush, right after use. No dishwasher and no hot water.