Digital wall tiles: what they are and how they are made
Digital wall tiles are ceramic tiles printed with ceramic inks by an inkjet printer and then fired, so the design becomes part of the glaze. Here is how they are made and what to look for when you buy.
Digital wall tiles are ceramic tiles whose design is printed by an inkjet printer, using ceramic inks, before the tile is fired. The heat fuses the ink into the glaze, so the design is part of the tile: it does not peel or wash off, and it lasts as long as the glaze.
Digital printing is why tiles today can look like stone, marble, brick, wood or a hand-painted pattern, and why one design can come with many variations.
How a digital wall tile is made
- The body. Clay is pressed into the tile shape and dried. Our tiles have a ceramic body.
- The glaze. A base glaze is applied to the face.
- The print. An inkjet printer prints the design with ceramic inks.
- Firing. The tile is fired in a kiln, which fuses the ink and the glaze into a hard surface.
- Sorting and packing. The tiles are checked, sorted by shade and packed.
What faces means
A digital printer can print each tile a little differently. A design's faces are the different prints made for it, mixed in the boxes. With more faces the wall looks natural and does not repeat. Our designs range from a single face to 64 faces on some pattern and texture designs.
Matt, glossy and rustic
The same print looks different under each finish. Glossy deepens the colour and reflects light, matt softens it, and rustic adds texture to stone and brick looks.
Digital and plain tiles compared
| Digital wall tiles | Plain coloured tiles | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Any pattern, texture or image | One colour |
| Variety | Several faces | Uniform |
| Use | Feature walls, kitchens, bathrooms, elevations | Background walls |
| Care | Wipe clean | Wipe clean |
How to choose
- Look at a real sample, not only a photo, in your room's light.
- Ask for the number of faces, the size and the finish.
- Check the print up close for sharp detail.
- For a feature wall, pair one strong design with a plain partner tile.
Care
Digital tiles need no special care: wipe them with water and mild soap. Avoid acid cleaners and abrasive pads, which can dull a glossy glaze over time.
More: what makes a tile designer and 8 checks for premium tiles. Browse every design in designer wall tiles.
