First choose the artwork you want for your mural project. Then determine the overall size of the mural and the size of the individual tiles to be used. For example, suppose that you would like a 36 inch wide mural for your kitchen breakfast nook area. For the mural, you’ve chosen to use 6” ceramic standard tile and you’ve decided to use a decorative motif by Birthe Koustrup, like this:
The width of the mural will be 36” (six 6in tiles = 36 in). The height will be 18” (three 6in tiles = 18in).
There are other possible layout solutions to the breakfast nook mural example. We could use 8x10 tiles and adjust the yellow border to cover the extra tile area. It is easier to adjust the art layout (usually by scaling the print size of the art) to accommodate a tile layout, especially if there is lots of white space and a border in the art as in our example above. For information about the available tile sizes and their true dimensions, visit our Tiles page. Any of those tiles can be used in a multi-tile mural, giving you a wide range of possible mural sizes.
For mural layout and design assistance call our tile hotline: 1-415-258-1682 or email us:
info@lococoart-tile.com
The dye-sublimation tiles have a hard polymer coating on them. It is part of what makes the printing process possible. It is durable but can be scratched with sharp or hard rough edges so care must be taken when moving the tiles and during installation. The tiles are sent individually packaged in bubble wrap. When you take them out of the boxes be sure to keep the bubble wrap in place when re-stacking them.
When you receive your mural in the mail check the exterior of the box to make sure there are no obvious damage issues, then open and check the tiles inside for damage. It is insured so we want to make sure it is OK on arrival. If there is damage let the carrier know. You will need to contact us within 24 hours of receipt of your mural if any tiles are broken in transit. We can reproduce any damaged tile if necessary and will replace any tiles broken in transit at no cost to you.
Install the tiles as you would install any ceramic wall tile using either a high quality thin set or high quality tile mastic. Care of the image side of the tiles is important during installation. They can be covered with a low-tack tape and protective paper during the installation or just be careful not to get mastic or thin-set on the image side or edges. Do not stack with out pads covering the image side.
Use a siliconized non-sanded grout such as “Polyblend® Ceramic Tile Caulk.” A suggested color for your mural will be included with your order but you may like a different look. Ask your tile installer about grout color suggestions. Mural grouting colors are difficult because of the many colors in the image so something neutral in a color that most pleases your eye will be fine in the finished mural. Ask your installer to bring you some sample grout colors to review.
You will receive recommended grout spacing with your order. Most large murals are designed for grout spacing of 1/8”. A little smaller would be fine but the tile varies slightly in size so be sure to watch how things line up.
There are no special instructions or requirements for installing Fired tiles. Fired tile is guaranteed for the life of the tile against the image scratching off of the tile or fading. Your fired tile will not fade regardless of installation location. Use typical construction industry tile installation procedures. Contact your local tile installer for more information.
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Murals make beautiful framed works of art. We recommend you take your mural concept to a professional frame shop before mounting to discuss how best to accomplish what you want. Your frame shop may also mount the mural for you.
Tile murals may be mounted on hardboard or plywood back with a quality organic tile adhesive such as “Hydroment Multi-Purpose Ceramic Tile Mastic” following the manufacturers instructions. You may choose to grout or not grout the mural depending on your preference and the type of tiles used. The mural may then be framed. Remember - the tile is heavy. A tile mural is similar in weight to a thick glass mirror of the same dimensions.
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