The technical boundaries of bespoke ceramic tile should not be viewed as limitations or constraints but as a challenge. They can meet most contract specification requirements with a flexibility not found in many other materials.

Applied colour usually has the same durability characteristics of the base tile to which it is applied. Refiring a tile will not change this, however we would not usually recommend overglazing a floor tile.

Artwork can be supplied in many formats from bromide to disc. Significant enlargements of the original may be more successful if done photographically, especially where an engraved image is concerned (Subways).

Computer generated artwork is best supplied on disc in psd, jpeg or tiff file formats. Proof copies can be sent by email but they are usually too compressed for use as final artwork.

Four colour artwork seperations made for graphic reproduction are not suitable for ceramics due to the differences between ceramic CMYK and graphic.

We recommend BS6431 test for all tiles to be used within a swimming pool environment and frequently expose decorated tiles for longer than specified in the test. All clients are supplied with a certicate authenticating the test results (Pools).

Fully vitreous tiles are frost proof and they alone should be used for all exterior fixings.

Printing can be direct (applied directly to the tile surface) or indirect (transfer). Transfers are frequently the print technique of choice for panels as the design is applied right up to the edge of the tile. Direct printing usually leaves an undecorated border around the margin of the tile due to the cushion edge.

The advent of new ceramic colours developed for laser printing has brought about an opportunity for photographic realism to be applied to tile without huge costs being incurred.

Used imaginatively this process can be used to create large scale multicolour works of art at a fraction of the cost previously quoted.

This process is not dye sublimation. It uses ceramic colour which is fired onto the tile in exactly the same way as our previous examples and will meet all necessary building standards.

To explore and maximise the potential of this technique an understanding of the process and the ceramic technology is required so that designs are produced specifically for this process as there are colour palette restrictions. However with experience and knowledge they can be exploited rather than hinder the design concept.

Ceramic colour can be applied in many ways, hand painting, print, sponge and spray. It can also be formulated to mature at different firing temperatures which is why it is such a flexible decorative material.