Pictures on Tile

Increasing numbers of people have been sending pictures to print on tile. Pictures tiles are becoming more popular for use as kitchen backsplashes and shower tiles. By "spreading" the picture over a number of tiles, the tile murals can be large enough to cover a wall or a shower stall.

In addition to the photographs printed on tile, art on tile is often desired. We have received many scanned or photographed pictures of artwork to be put on tile. Ceramic picture tile is most often used and tumbled marble has also become popular. Glass tile is not quite as popular due to its higher cost. But custom printed glass tiles do have special properties, such as chemical resistance and scratch resistance. Glass tiles are surprisingly strong and can be used for countertops and table tops.

Pictures of custom printed tiles can be seen here - http://www.custom-tiles.com/tile-pictures-3

International Interest in Custom Tiles & Murals

Wow - the Internet helps spread the word fast!

Relatively few people are aware of the many decorating options in tile which have become available with special printing and glazing technologies. Even interior decorators, interior designers, and architects are several years behind the technology edge in specialized imaging on tile.

Due to current workloads and the busy-ness of handling ongoing projects, it is difficult for professionals to keep up with recent developments. Although the specialized printing technology used by custom-tiles.com is over ten years old, the last five years have yielded advances in several areas which have become of interest in our global economy.

Additional tile types, for example, tumbled marble and glass, have been added to the selection of options for custom printed tile murals. Further improvements in the clear protective glaze as well as its curing mechanism renders the custom imaged tiles suitable for use in rigorously cleaned environments, such as bathrooms, kitchens, showers, and saunas. Details on the tiles' chemical and stain resistance are available at http://www.custom-tiles.com/durability-tests-tile.htm .

The increase in the availability of the Internet overseas has led to a proliferation of online searches from foreign shores. Think of the ease of online search compared to the difficulty of obtaining up to date information from libraries, magazines, and textbooks in foreign countries.

We are seeing a much greater number of contacts from distant English-speaking countries. Frankly, we are not aware of foreign suppliers of custom printed tiles except for the old CLC process which has limited color fidelity and hue strength. Perhaps our technology will also spread and foreign competition will increase.

Enduring Beauty and Value of Tile

About ten years ago, I visited Milan and several other cities in northern Italy. Aside from the beautiful sculptures and building facades, the attention to detail and use of durable materials impressed me.

It wasn't just the stone fountains, stone steps, and wrought iron gates which gave the feeling of strength and endurance. While sight-seeing in Milan, I had occasion to pass an old home on a stone-paved street for several consecutive days while its interior was being renovated.

While passing by the open door (it was warm spring weather and the home was not at all recessed from the street), I saw two workmen troweling the floor. The next day, there were crates of tile near the door and I peered in to see the workmen laying the tile. The scene was the same the following day.

At first I smirked to myself at how slow and laborious this task was, but caught myself and took another look at the venerable local architecture I realized that a significantly wise investment was being made - the beauty of Italian cities endures because durable materials and craftsmanship are an integral part of the culture.