How to Order Custom Portuguese Tiles: A Step-by-Step Guide
We create beautiful hand painted Portuguese tiles and bespoke tile murals for architects, interior designers, and homeowners worldwide.
Whether you are looking for a decorative kitchen splashback, a traditional Portuguese tile panel, or a completely original mural, we can help turn your ideas into something special.
At Portuguese Tiles, we believe tiles are more than just a practical surface covering. They are works of art that can transform an ordinary wall into something truly unique, bringing colour, character and personality to your home or business.
If you have never ordered custom Portuguese tiles before, you may be wondering how the process works. Can you use your own photograph or artwork? Can you choose your own colours? How do you know how many tiles you need? And how long will your order take?
Our bespoke tile service makes ordering your own hand painted Portuguese tiles straightforward. From your initial idea to the finished tiles arriving at your door, we will guide you through every step.
Here is everything you need to know about ordering custom Portuguese tiles.
1. Choose Your Design
The first step is deciding what you would like your custom Portuguese tiles to look like.
You can choose a design from our existing tile collections, or we can create something completely bespoke to suit your project.
Perhaps you love traditional Portuguese patterns and would like to adapt an existing design with different colours.
Maybe you have found a particular image, illustration or pattern that you would like to turn into a tile mural.
We can work with you to develop a design that is unique to you.
We accept photographs, drawings, artwork, patterns and other images as inspiration for custom designs.
You can also tell us about your preferred colours, style and overall look.
Whether you want a traditional blue and white Portuguese tile design or something more contemporary and colourful, we can help bring your ideas to life.
2. Decide Where to Use Your Tiles
Consider where you'll install your custom Portuguese tiles and how you want them to look in the space.
Hand painted Portuguese tiles can bring character to many different areas of the home and garden, including:
- Kitchen splashbacks and feature walls
- Bathroom walls and shower areas
- Living rooms, hallways and fireplaces
- Decorative wall panels and tile murals
- Patios, garden walls and outdoor kitchens
- Swimming pool surrounds
The location and size will help us understand the best way to develop your design.
It is also helpful to know whether the tiles will be installed indoors or outdoors, as this helps us consider the requirements of your particular project.
3. Measure Your Space and Send Us Your Details
Once you have an idea of your design and where the tiles will be installed, measure your space.
Our standard hand-painted Portuguese tiles measure 15cm x 15cm (5.9" x 5.9").
Please measure the total width and height of the area you want to cover, and send us these measurements in centimetres or inches.
If possible, include a photograph of the wall or space.
This is especially helpful when designing a custom tile mural, as it helps us understand the layout and any features we need to consider.
Remember to mention anything that might affect the design or tile layout, such as:
- Windows and doors
- Electrical sockets and switches
- Shelves and cupboards
- Cooker hoods
- Corners and edges
- Taps and plumbing fixtures
What information do we need to prepare your quotation?
To get started, email us the following:
- Your image, photograph or design inspiration.
- The width and height of the area to be tiled.
- The country where your tiles will be delivered.
Send your information to contact@portuguesetiles.co.uk.
Don't worry if you are unsure about the exact number of tiles you need.
Once we have your measurements, we can help work out the requirements for your project.
4. Receive Your Design and Quotation
Once we have received your image and measurements, we will prepare a design mock-up showing how your custom Portuguese tiles will look.
For a tile mural, the mock-up will help you visualise how the complete image or pattern will be arranged across the individual tiles.
We will also provide a quotation based on your project requirements, including the cost of your custom tiles and delivery.
This allows you to review the proposed design and make sure everything is right before production begins.
If you would like any adjustments to the design, colours or layout, let us know. We want you to be completely happy with your design before we start painting.
5. Approve Your Design and Make Payment
Once you are happy with your design and quotation, confirm your approval.
We will then email you an invoice with a secure payment link.
You can pay conveniently by debit card, credit card or PayPal.
Once your order has been approved and payment received, we can begin creating your custom hand painted Portuguese tiles.
6. Your Tiles Are Hand Painted in Portugal
This is where your design comes to life.
Every tile is carefully hand painted by skilled Portuguese artisans using traditional techniques passed down through generations.
Your approved design comes to life tile by tile, with close attention to colour, detail, and quality.
Because each tile is individually hand painted, every piece has its own character and the subtle variations that make traditional Portuguese tiles so special.
Unlike mass-produced printed tiles, our hand painted tiles are created by hand, combining traditional craftsmanship with your personal design.
Custom tiles are shipped within 7–8 weeks.
7. Your Custom Tiles Are Carefully Packed and Delivered
Once your tiles are ready, we pack them carefully for international delivery.
Each tile is individually wrapped and packed with extra care to protect it during transit.
We use strong, double-thickness boxes, securely taped with parcel and fragile tape to ensure your tiles arrive safely.
If you ordered a custom tile mural, we do not assemble the tiles before shipping.
Instead, each tile is individually wrapped and numbered on the back to make installation easier.
How to assemble your tile mural
Arrange your numbered tiles in sequence to recreate the complete design.
- Tile number 1 starts in the top left corner.
- Continue working from left to right, following the numbering sequence.
- Keep the tiles in order as you assemble the complete mural.
We recommend leaving a 1–2mm grout line between each tile.
For the best results, we recommend using an experienced professional tiler to install your tiles.
Create Something Unique with Custom Portuguese Tiles
Every custom tile project is different. Whether you want to adapt a traditional Portuguese pattern, personalise an existing design, or create a completely original tile mural from your own photograph or artwork, we are here to help.
With more than 30 years of experience in traditional Portuguese craftsmanship, we combine the beauty of hand painted tiles with the flexibility to create designs specifically for your space.
Ordering custom Portuguese tiles doesn't need to be complicated. Share your ideas, measurements and inspiration with us, and we will guide you through the process.
Have an idea for a custom Portuguese tile project?
Explore our Portuguese tile collections or email us at contact@portuguesetiles.co.uk.
We would be delighted to help you create something truly unique.
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