If you would prefer to experience the

Majolica technique that fires the

ceramics, two places in Lubbock
offer this method:
Clay Caf
5102 60th Street
The Mud Room
3302 82nd Street

Spanish Ceramic Tiles:

Made in America

I HOPE YOU ENJOY MAKING YOUR

OWN TILES!

Emily Hellman
ENGL 2311-023
October 20, 2015
12

Table of Contents

The Finished Product

History of ceramics in
Spain.3
Materials
needed.5
Instructions...6
The Finished
Product..11
Conclusion12

11

Instructions continued

History of Spanish Tiles

Origin

9) Allow ceramic tile to cool in

the oven.
10) Take out and rinse with
soap and water to remove
any pencil marks.

Spanish tiles originated in the 12th Century when

the Moors inhabited Spain. These people
influenced the tile designs, patterns, and
techniques still used today. Spanish tiles have
gained a reputation for the use of vibrant and
varied color combinations that continue to remain
admired today, even in the United States.

Tips and Tricks

! Tape down your traced design
onto the tile to make tracing
easier.
! Use rubbing alcohol to remove
any pencil or paint mistakes.
! Be cautious when using the oven
Always wear oven mitts!
! BE CREATIVE AND HAVE FUN!!
10

Technique modifications
In Spain, the most common technique
used to make ceramic tiles is
Majolica, in which a fired glaze
creates a painting surface on which the
design is then painted and then fired
again. For convenience purposes,
instead of using a kiln, we will be
firing our pieces in the oven.

History of Spanish Tiles

continued

Instructions continued

Uses

7) Paint your design.

Ceramic Spanish tiles can be seen around the

world in homes, gardens, etc. In Spain, they
are used as street signs, and in the United
States, they are commonly found in kitchen
backsplashes and countertops, bathroom
showers, fountains, and stairs. With varying
sizes, patterns, and designs, the tiles act as
representations of the individual.

8) Put in the oven at 350

degrees for 30 minutes.

Instructions continued

Materials Needed to Make

Ceramic Tiles

5) Trace the design, with pressure

(using a pen), onto the drawing
paper.

! Printed design
! Tracing paper
! Graphite pencil
! Any kind of pen
! Acrylic Enamel paints
(any colors)
! Paint brushes (whichever
shapes and sizes you
would like)
! Blank glazed tiles (You
can purchase these at
Home Depot for $0.50
each!)
! Oven

6) Gently remove the tracing paper

when you have completed tracing

Instructions continued

Instructions
1) Print out the design for your
tile (make sure it is the same
dimensions as the tile).

3) Flip the paper (so that the trace is

facing down) and coat the entire
blank side with the graphite
pencil (hold pencil sideways).

2) Trace the design using a

pencil on a piece of tracing
paper (make sure the paper
is the same size as the tile).

4) Place the tracing paper gently on

top of the ceramic tile (graphite
side down).