Malibu Tile Works: Techniques

Malibu Tile Works uses many old-world techniques - including hand-pressing and cuerda-seca. Most of the items shown in the design galleries have been created using selected high-quality un-glazed quarry tiles. However, sometimes - a client will specify or require handmade tiles to achieve a particular size, shape or look - not available with ready-made tiles. Malibu Tile Works can create a custom size or shape - just ask us about our handmade tiles.

Handmade tiles require many steps. Before creating the tiles, much thought must be given regarding the desired finished product. The finished size, shape, texture and purpose must be taken into account when choosing a clay body - for each clay body yields a different result. Once the finished size and clay body are decided- then careful calculations must be done to determine the cutting template size - as each clay has a different percentage of shrinkage (which can be from .05% to as much as 15% or more). The template can then be created and the tiles can be made. After a long drying time - the tiles can then be bisque-fired in a kiln to a temperature which varies depending on the clay body selected. The tiles are then ready for surface decoration.

Clay is rolled into sheets for cutting using a slab roller to regulate density & thickness

Then the clay is smoothed with rubber finisher - and cut into desired shapes using a pin tool, template or tile cutter form

Tiles are dried slowly and completely - then bisque-fired in kiln to mature and harden clay

Malibu Tile Works creates relief tiles using a technique called hand-pressing which use open-face molds made from hand-sculpted clay models to produce a relief surface.

Hand-Pressing Technique

Hand-Sculpted Clay Model

Open-Face Press Mold Created From Model

Tile is Created by Pressing Clay into Mold - Using Hand Built Tile Press

Tile is left to dry - then bisque fired in kiln before glazing

Here is the finished product - after glaze is painted on tile and glaze-fired in kiln

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Another favorite technique is called "cuerda-seca" - meaning "dry line," which was originally used by the Spanish and Moors. This technique, one which was popularized by the Malibu Potteries in the 1920's, uses a mixture of manganese and oil which is applied to the bisque (fired, unglazed) tiles (handmade or purchased blank) on the design line. The oil in the mixture resists the flow of the wet glazes, which are pooled into the spaces between the lines in the design. During the glaze firing, the oil burns off and the manganese fuses onto the tile to form a charred dry line separating the colorful glazes and creating a slight pillow-like texture (as opposed to some traditional "flat" painting methods).

Cuerda-Seca Technique

Design is traced on to tile

Resist applied along design lines - When a design will not be repeated - this step is done by hand

When designs are to be repeated - silk screens are created to transfer design and resist in one step

Then glazes are applied and allowed to dry completely before glaze firing in kiln

Here is the finished product after glaze firing