by Kotomi_

I can’t recall ever completing a tiling project without having to cut at least one ceramic tile. Many people become apprehensive at the thought of doing this, so I decided to write a brief guide to help.

Here’s a list of tools you’ll need: a chinagraph pencil (available at stationery stores), a metal ruler, a platform tile cutter, a tile saw, tile nibblers, a pencil, and a G-clamp.

How to Finish a Row – When you reach the end of a row, place the last tile over the previous one and align it with the corner. Mark a line for cutting, making sure to include an allowance for the grout.

Next, use your platform tile cutter to make a straight cut. First, score the tile with the cutting wheel. Then, apply the lever to snap the tile along the score line. Finally, attach the tile to the wall.

Please note: It’s essential to measure each end-of-row tile individually, as they are likely to differ in size.

How to Slice a Sliver off a Tile – Platform tile cutters, while useful tools, struggle to make cuts narrower than about 15mm. To achieve this, we use a different method.

To remove a small sliver from a tile, first score the tile with a handheld tile scorer, using your metal ruler as a guide. For best results, make sure your score mark is deep enough to penetrate the tile’s glaze (this is crucial for a clean break).

Using your tile nibblers, remove the sliver that needs to be cut, then smooth the edges with a file to finish.

Cutting a Curved Shape into a Ceramic Tile – Sometimes, you may need to cut a tile to fit around a curved object.

Here’s how to do it:

First, cut a piece of paper to the same size as the tiles you’re using, creating a paper template.

Place your paper template in position by aligning it with the curved object. Make a series of small cuts along the edge that rests against the curve to create the desired shape.

Next, using your paper template as a guide and the chinagraph pencil as a marker, transfer the curved line onto the surface of the ceramic tile you’ll be cutting.

Then, using your G-clamp, clamp the tile face-upwards (taking care not to mark it). Carefully cut along your chinagraph pencil line using your tile saw. Take your time and avoid applying excessive pressure. Once the tile is cut, use a file to remove any rough edges and then fit your perfectly shaped tile.

Manuel Marino

Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME