Making Tile

Since 1926, Handcraft Tile has manufactured tile in the Arts & Crafts tradition. Because clay is pressed into molds (not extruded), each tile is slightly different. Hand spraying results in subtle and beautiful variation in color. No two tiles are exactly alike and therein lies the beauty of handmade tile.

CLAY
Dry clay dirt, sand, water and a few other ingredients are mixed together to make wet clay. It is then cut into "pugs," which are workable sizes of clay.

MOLDS
Working molds are made of plaster.

HAND PRESSING
Most decorative tiles are made by hand pressing.
A hand pressed tile releases from the mold after about 15 to 30 minutes.

MACHINE PRESSING
Most field tiles are formed using hydraulic presses.

DRYING
Depending on the tile, it takes between 1 and 10 days for a tile to dry properly and be ready for firing in a kiln.

GLAZING
Usually glazes are hand sprayed. Some are brushed or dipped.

KILN FIRING
Tiles are stacked on setters and fired in a kiln.
Firing can take up to 12 hours.

COOLING, REMOVAL
It takes 1 to 2 days for the kiln to cool. Tiles are then removed.

INSPECTING, SHIPPING
Tiles are inspected, sorted and boxed for shipment.