While industrial tile-making stresses the reproduction of tiles with glazes so consistent that one tile is virtually indistinguishable from another, creating artisan tiles (while still striving for a certain amount of consistency) celebrates the natural properties and the unpredictable nature of the clay and the glaze. Though the “serendipity” of the process is often a source of frustration, it also can lead to the discovery of new textures and colors which can become new products in themselves.
A second —and equally important— difference between artisan and mass-produced tiles is the nature of the artisan. More than just a craftsman, each artisan seeks to impart in their creations a bit of their unique personality. Today, a half a century after the rebirth of the American artisan tile movement, there are a great many companies producing interesting, innovative designs—each a reflection of the artisans who create them.
Shape, texture, color, and size variation are inherent characteristics of handcrafted tile. Once properly installed, the beauty of this handcrafted tile is enhanced by such variation. You can learn more about our colors and variations here.
Shade variation is inherent in all tile products, including man-made tiles such as porcelain, glass & ceramic. Shade and texture will vary significantly from piece to piece to within production runs. V1 shade variation has little or no change from piece to piece where a V4 will have a large variety of color and/or texture changes. Prior to any installation, a range of tiles should be approved by the customer. No claims for shade or texture variation will be honored after installation.
Please note shades of color are seen differently on computer monitors and therefore customers should order a sample before making a final selection or purchase.
