Non-warping Tile making
There are many methods of making tiles that don't warp. Here is mine.
For 'basic' flat tiles (I also do wall tiles that are multi-dimensional) use a claybody with grog. Grogged terra cotta is what I use most of the time.
Roll out a slab that tile will be cut from at least 5/8" thick. You are making a hand made tile, not a machine pressed tile.
At this point....press mold, sprig, scraffito, slip.....decorate the surface. I also like to score the back for later installation.
Place tiles between 2 pieces of cement board. The best I found is from Home Depot or Lowes. A piece is 3' x 5' and is scored for easy cutting. This will keep your tiles flat and allow them to dry evenly. Later, transfer tile to wire rack between layers of cement board.
I do not handle my tiles, if I can help it, until they are bone dry. When they are sandwiched on the cement board ( I cut it in 14 x 24 pieces) they can easily be flipped.
If you make enough tiles, you can bisque fire them standing on end stacked against each other. A picture describing this process is in Angelica Pozo's tile book. If you have highly decorated tiles, then they can be fired flat.
I have a 98% success rate with this method and have done tiles as big as 12" x 12" with no cracking.
Who has a different method?
For 'basic' flat tiles (I also do wall tiles that are multi-dimensional) use a claybody with grog. Grogged terra cotta is what I use most of the time.
Roll out a slab that tile will be cut from at least 5/8" thick. You are making a hand made tile, not a machine pressed tile.
At this point....press mold, sprig, scraffito, slip.....decorate the surface. I also like to score the back for later installation.
Place tiles between 2 pieces of cement board. The best I found is from Home Depot or Lowes. A piece is 3' x 5' and is scored for easy cutting. This will keep your tiles flat and allow them to dry evenly. Later, transfer tile to wire rack between layers of cement board.
I do not handle my tiles, if I can help it, until they are bone dry. When they are sandwiched on the cement board ( I cut it in 14 x 24 pieces) they can easily be flipped.
If you make enough tiles, you can bisque fire them standing on end stacked against each other. A picture describing this process is in Angelica Pozo's tile book. If you have highly decorated tiles, then they can be fired flat.
I have a 98% success rate with this method and have done tiles as big as 12" x 12" with no cracking.
Who has a different method?
