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2023 img hi res full usage design Atypical design Studio photo jordan Layton wainscott offset cardamom 3x9 floor tile iron ore 2 hexagon FC596427 1

Original Ceramic tiles showcase handmade qualities with unique variations in color, crazing, and finish.

  • All Original Ceramic Colors
  • Studio Glazes New
  • Ceramic Stains New
  • Shop Shapes
  • Shop Patterns
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2024 residential full usage 4x4 terre verte satin red jasper satin indigo satin 2x2 red jasper satin bathroom checkerboard straight set 6x12 cove base indigo satin Pluck Architecture Leonid Furmansky FC796720 2

Our budget-friendly ceramics line, Natural Press is made with your largest indoor and outdoor projects in mind.

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Modern blue subway wall glass tile 2

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Visualize our tile in your space with our comprehensive design packages.

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Where Color Meets Craft Original Ceramic Tile

Where Color Meets Craft: Reintroducing Original Ceramic Tile

See Featured Blog →
New traditional bathroom floor subway green tile 3

Nicholas Potts: Historic Primary Bathroom

See Featured Gallery →
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Where Color Meets Craft Original Ceramic Tile

Where Color Meets Craft: Reintroducing Original Ceramic Tile

See Featured Blog →
New traditional bathroom floor subway green tile 3

Nicholas Potts: Historic Primary Bathroom

See Featured Gallery →
Blog
  • All Blog Posts
  • Design + Inspiration
  • Project Spotlight
  • Tile School
Gallery
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Where Color Meets Craft Original Ceramic Tile

Where Color Meets Craft: Reintroducing Original Ceramic Tile

See Featured Blog →
New traditional bathroom floor subway green tile 3

Nicholas Potts: Historic Primary Bathroom

See Featured Gallery →
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  3. Tile School: How to Avoid Staining Your Tile

Tile School

Tile School: How to Avoid Staining Your Tile

By Kali Gibson

Tile School How To Avoid Staining Your Tile

A light-colored tile outlined in darker grout creates a striking contrast, but this look isn’t one we generally recommend. Why? The dark grout can sometimes cause staining during installation. If your heart is set on this look, it’s important that you take the necessary steps that will help avoid staining your tile during installation.

The good news is that our tile is typically resistant to staining during the grouting process due to its smooth surface and pre-sealed crackle glazes–however, there is always a chance of staining, especially with a light tile that has crazing. Today we're sharing three tips to avoid staining during the installation process.

1. Careful when Cutting!

If you've chosen a light-colored tile, make sure that your installer is using a clean tile saw when cuts are being made. If you notice your tile has been stained, you can soak it in water to remove any staining. You can also opt to cover your tile in blue painter's tape while making cuts if you want to be extra safe.

How To Avoid Staining Your Tile

This type of staining can occur from a dirty tile saw or a darker grout.

2. Consider A Lighter Grout Color

The safest bet to avoid stains is to choose a grout color that isn't heavily pigmented when using a lighter-colored tile, especially if it has crazing. White grout will always be the safest choice to avoid staining, especially with a light-colored tile.

How To Avoid Staining Your Tile White Subway Tile Shower

Tile: 2x6 Tusk | Design: Cathie Hong Interiors | Image: Margaret Austin Photography

If you’d like the shape of the tile to pop or would prefer your grout color a little darker to hide dirt for an application like a floor, a light grey grout is a great choice. Not only will this color outline your tile nicely, the lighter shade will help prevent staining.

How To Avoid Staining Your Tile Bathroom with Cream Star Cross Tile Floor Green Subway Tile Bath

Tile: Mini Star & Cross Feldspar, 3x9 Peabody | Design: Alma Homes | Image: Jenna Kutcher

3. Use Grout Release

Grout Release can help keep your tile safe and stain-free. Grout release is a removable, water-soluble surface coating that is used to protect tile from staining when using a colored grout. It also makes grout cleanup a little bit easier, which is a win all around!

Some of our tile colors have crazing (intricate crackled detailing) like Sand Dune shown below. A dark grout will inevitably get into those tiny cracks and stain your tile, so grout release is a necessity if you choose a heavily pigmented grout color.

How To Avoid Staining Your Tile Sand Dune Crazing Detail
Click here for a free color sample of Sand Dune

If you’ve fallen in love with one of our artisan Handpainted Tile patterns, make sure you pay attention to the dryline color. If your Handpainted Tile has a light dryline, you’ll absolutely want to use grout release to keep that dryline from staining.

How To Avoid Staining Your Tile Handpainted Starburst Tile Bathroom Floor

Tile: Starburst in Peacock Motif with a white dryline | Image: Rustic White Photography | Installer: In Honor of Design

White tile and dark grout will always pose a risk for staining, which is why we do not recommend this combination, but for an install like the one below careful cutting and grout release can help avoid staining.

How To Avoid Staining Your Tile White Diamond Tile Kitchen Backsplash with Dark Grout

Tile: Small Diamond Daisy | Design: Jen Pinkston | Image: Katie Jameson

Sample Our Favorite Whites

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Calcite Gloss

Calcite Gloss

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Calcite Matte

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Ivory Matte

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Pearl Gloss

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White Mountains

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Gesso Gloss

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Egret Matte

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Flake White Satin

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Lewis Range

View All Samples

Still have questions about grout release? Fill out the form below and one of our tile experts will be in touch shortly.

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