Tilemakers

Tilemakers are artisans and manufacturers responsible for producing ceramic, porcelain, cement, and glass tiles used for walls and floors. The term covers handmade studio tilemakers as well as large-scale industrial tile manufacturers.

In traditional ceramics, tilemaking begins with preparing raw materials such as clay, feldspar, silica, and color oxides. Forming methods include hand molding, extruding, slip casting, or mechanical pressing. The formed tiles are dried, then biscuit-fired to set shape, followed by glazing or surface decoration and a second firing at higher temperatures in a kiln.

Types of tiles include ceramic glaze-fired tiles, porcelain tiles, cement encaustic tiles, and glass tiles. Common uses are walls, floors, backsplashes, and outdoor pavements.

Tilemaking has ancient roots in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Islamic world, with later developments in Delftware and maiolica. Industrial tile production accelerated during the 19th and 20th centuries, enabling standardized sizes, glazed finishes, and large-scale distribution.

Today tilemakers operate in regional clusters around the world, including Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Market standards and classifications are governed by bodies such as ISO 13006 and regional norms (for example EN 14411 in Europe). Sustainability concerns include energy consumption for kilns, water use, and the management of ceramic waste and glazes. The term continues to cover both artisanal studios and modern factories that supply residential and commercial projects.