Tiles used to be made by hand. Today though there are more modern methods behind creating tiles. Ceramic tiles are made from basically dust – specifically a mix of Clays, Feldspar and Silica. The three basic components are milled together with water to create what is known as a “Slick” The density, viscosity and residue of the “Slick” determines the quality of the tile.

The “Slick” is then stored before it is sprayed into a fine powder. This is left to dry before it is mixed with steel dyes and entered into a dry press. The hydraulic press creates a solid body called a “Green Tile”  – which comes in various sizes, shapes and texture. These “Green Tiles” are then dried by a machine to remove excess water.

“Green Tiles” meant to become Wall tiles are then fired in a process called “bisquitting” prior to the next step – Glazing.

“Green Tiles” meant to become floor tiles go straight to the glazing process. Here ceramic glaze is applied to the face of the tile in a uniformed fashion. It is this glaze that gives a tile its vivid color, texture and design.

The freshly glazed tiles are then exposed up to heat of up to 1,200 degrees centigrade. This final firing of the tiles creates a bond between the glaze and the “Green Tile” as both bodies start to absorb the properties of the other. The final firing process also removes all excess fluids and gasses.

That is how tiles are made.

Do check out this video from Mariwasa on how they make their tiles here in the Philippines: