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How Are Tiles Printed? Can You Print on Tiles at Home or Professionally?

From personalised tiles with a family photo to 30 metre public art murals, printed tiles are everywhere. But how are tiles printed, and can you print on tiles yourself? Here is how the process works and what to look for if you want a printed tile that lasts.

Can you print on tiles?

Yes – but how you print makes all the difference. There are three main methods:

  • Surface printing (UV or sublimation): ink sits on or in a coating on top of the tile. Fine for decorative gifts, but it can scratch, fade or wear on floors and outdoors.
  • Screen printing: the traditional method, where ceramic ink is pushed through a mesh screen one colour at a time. Good for simple repeat patterns.
  • Digital ceramic printing: inkjet heads print ceramic pigments onto the glazed tile, which is then kiln fired. The design becomes part of the glaze.

How are tiles printed digitally?

Digital ceramic printing is the method we use at Digital Ceramics Custom Tiles in Stoke-on-Trent. The process looks like this:

  • Artwork: your photo, logo or pattern is colour corrected and scaled to the tile size
  • Proof: you approve a digital proof, and usually a physical sample
  • Printing: ceramic pigments are printed onto the glazed tile at high resolution
  • Firing: the tile is kiln fired at high temperature, fusing the pigment into the glaze
  • Quality check: each tile is checked before packing

Because the design is fired in, printed tiles made this way are scratch resistant, UV stable and suitable for floors, wet areas and exteriors. Read more about digital tile printing.

Turning a photo into a tile mural

A tile mural from a photo is made by splitting a single image across many tiles. The image is enlarged and checked for resolution, then each tile is printed with its section of the picture so the mural lines up perfectly once grouted. Photo printed tile murals are popular for kitchens, bathrooms, swimming pools and community art. See our custom tile murals.

Personalised tiles: what works best?

  • Use the highest resolution image you have – phone photos are often fine for a single tile
  • Avoid heavily compressed images from social media
  • Think about where the tile will go – floors need an anti-slip finish
  • Ask for a sample before ordering in quantity

Printed tiles for commercial projects

The same process is used for logo tiles, wayfinding, ceramic signage and branded floors in restaurants, hotels and stations. Because colours can be matched to Pantone and RAL, printed tiles can follow brand guidelines exactly. Explore custom tiles and ceramic signage.

Thinking about printed tiles for your project? Get in touch with our team in Stoke-on-Trent.