Custom Tile Design

Custom tile development has two distinct phases:

1. Design & Sample Development: This phase, which begins once any initial development fee is paid, typically takes 2 – 4 weeks.

• Custom Glaze Color: Expect a general timeline of 2 – 3 weeks for our Aromas, CA facility and 3 – 4 weeks for Spokane, WA.
• Custom Handpainted Pattern Sample: After digital artwork approval (1 – 3 business days), a physical sample takes an additional 2 – 3 weeks to craft.
• Custom Mosaic Maps: The initial digital map for project planning can be delivered in 2 – 5 business days.

2. Production: The manufacturing lead time for your full order will be quoted once the design and samples are finalized and approved, and will depend on the product type and quantity.

The minimum requirements vary based on the level of customization needed for your project:

• Custom Glaze Color: For custom color development on our Original Ceramic, Natural Press Ceramic, Glazed Thin Brick, or Glass Tile, a 500 square foot minimum per color applies to the final order.
• Custom Shape: We can create unique tile shapes in our Aromas, CA factory. Custom shape orders have a 1,000 SqFt minimum per shape.
• Custom Handpainted:For a non-standard color motif (custom colorway) using our existing glazes, there is no minimum quantity.For a custom screen (new pattern, or enlarging/​shrinking an existing pattern), the minimum is 100 pieces per custom screen.

Custom Mosaic Tile: There are no minimum order requirements to start. Note that small batch fees apply for glaze quantities under 25 square feet.

Absolutely – that’s what our Glaze Development process is built for!

We require a control sample (a physical item, a Pantone color, or another reference material) to be sent to our lab for matching. Our team of experts then utilizes sustainable practices, lead-free glazes, and innovative technology to achieve the closest possible match.

Note: While we always strive for perfection, the unique alchemy of fire, clay, and glaze means a 100% exact match may not always be feasible. We focus on finding the closest, most beautiful interpretation of your vision.

Yes, because custom projects require dedicated time, expert resources, and innovation, they are considered a premium service and incur two types of charges:

1. Upfront Development Fee: This fee is paid before any custom development work begins.Custom Glaze Development: The initial fee is $750. This includes up to three color matches, one round of revisions, and a final round of submittals.Custom Handpainted Screen: The fee is $500 per screen. This covers custom artwork, tooling costs, and two physical samples.Custom Mosaic Maps: The fee is typically between $150 and $2,000, covering the added labor to create the detailed map and piece counts.
2. Product Price: This is the price of the final approved custom product.

In certain scenarios, such as large-scale projects, multi-phased rollouts, or when bundled with a significant order of standard products, the upfront development fee may be waived. Please connect with us to discuss your project specifics.

Yes, we welcome your unique vision. You can provide your own artwork, photograph, or design concept.

For a seamless process, we require:

• The exact dimensions of your project space.
• Your preferred tile size and glaze colors to be used (we can help you with this!).
• The actual artwork, which we then translate into a mosaic map showing piece counts and exact color placement.

Customization is possible across all of our tile product lines, with dedicated processes for each:

• Custom Glaze Colors: We can develop custom glazes for our Ceramic Tile lines (Original Ceramic and Natural Press) and Glazed Thin Brick. This includes applying existing glazes on alternate materials, such as Ceramic glazes on Brick.
• Custom Mosaic Design & Murals: These can be created using our Ceramic or Glass Tile colors and shapes.

Custom Handpainted Patterns: These designs are executed on our Original Ceramic Tile body.

Quality is our foundation. We ensure the integrity of your custom order through a highly intentional process:

1. Artisan Craftsmanship: Every piece of custom tile is handcrafted by our expert artisans in our US factories, where we maintain the utmost attention to detail.
2. Rigorous Development: For custom glazes, our lab uses multiple test formulas (up to three initial formulas) to achieve the closest match, using pour tests on our actual clay body and firing them in our kilns for true-to-life results.

Transparent Approval: Before full production, all custom designs and colors – whether they are physical glaze samples or digital handpainted/​mosaic artwork – require your final sign-off. This ensures the final product aligns perfectly with your vision.

Yes, sustainability is in our DNA and is a non-negotiable part of our custom work.

As a certified B Corp, we are committed to mindful manufacturing, and our custom products uphold this standard:

• Mindful Materials: We utilize lead-free glazes and continually invest in innovative, sustainable practices.
• American-Made: Our custom products are crafted in our US facilities, ensuring compliance with among the strongest environmental regulations in the world and allowing for unmatched transparency.

Climate Neutral: We are a Climate Label Certified company, offsetting 100% of our carbon footprint from our entire operation, including production and shipping.

Our process is designed to be a seamless collaboration that secures your confidence before moving into full production:

1. Initial Development Samples: Our lab sends you the first round of physical samples (e.g., three different glaze formulas on cut 2×2 tiles).
2. Review and Revision: You review the initial samples and provide feedback. Our development fee includes one round of revisions to fine-tune the color or pattern. If further development is required beyond this limit, an additional fee may apply.
3. Final Submittals: Once approved, we create and send larger submittal samples (up to 1 SF per color) on the final tile size you need for your project, which typically takes 1 – 3 weeks.

Final Sign-off: Your formal approval of the submittal sample locks in the design and triggers the full production phase.

Yes, our Glass Tile and Natural Press Tile pass freeze-thaw testing and are suitable for interior and exterior projects, including pools. Glazed Thin Brick, although not suitable for pools, also passes freeze-thaw testing; it is suitable for exterior applications and is a popular choice for commercial projects.

Glass Tile is also 100% impervious, making it an ideal choice for pools, fountains, and other wet areas.