Third Fired Tiles – Artistic, Expressive, and Statement-Driven

Finish Options For Third Fired Tiles

Third-fired tiles stand apart because their decoration is applied after glazing, allowing layered detailing, enhanced depth, and premium surface effects suitable for both decorative walls and selective interior floor applications.

• Printed & Screen-Printed Decorative Finish:
In this finish, designs are applied on fully glazed, ready-made tiles using high-resolution digital printing or traditional screen-printing techniques. Digital printing allows fine detailing, smooth gradients, and photographic clarity, while screen printing is preferred for bold outlines and solid colours. After printing, the tile undergoes a third firing, which permanently fixes the artwork into the glaze surface, ensuring long-lasting colour stability. When executed on vitrified or porcelain bodies, this finish can be used on low-traffic decorative floors with proper surface protection.

• Transparent & Layered Glaze Finish:
This finish involves applying transparent dry glaze over printed or plain surfaces. The transparency allows the base design or colour to remain visible while adding depth, gloss control, and surface richness. The thickness of the transparent glaze can be adjusted as required, which directly impacts visual depth and tactile feel. Controlled floor usage is possible where slip resistance and foot traffic are carefully managed. 

• Embossed & Texture-Enhanced Finish:
Special decorative pastes or materials are applied to create raised patterns, grooves, or textured detailing. During the third firing, these elements retain their form, giving the tile a three-dimensional appearance. This finish enhances light interaction and adds a premium tactile dimension to feature walls and decorative floor panels in low-impact zones.

• Metallic Glaze Finish:
This finish uses special metallic or lustre-based glazes applied on ready-made tiles before the third firing. Shades such as gold, silver, bronze, copper, or antique metallic tones are achieved with controlled reflectivity. The third firing permanently bonds the metallic glaze to the surface, creating a luxurious accent effect that reacts beautifully under lighting and adds high-end visual contrast. Metallic finishes are primarily wall-oriented but may be used on statement flooring areas where abrasion is minimal.

Ideal Spaces for Applications of Third-Fired Tiles 

Third-fired tiles are decorative tiles used selectively to enhance visual storytelling within a space. While walls remain the primary application, certain interior floors can also be designed using third-fired tiles when the tile body and traffic conditions are appropriate.

• Bathrooms:
Used on shower walls, vanity backdrops, and decorative vertical strips. In large bathrooms, third-fired vitrified tiles may also be used as decorative floor panels or framed floor highlights, provided slip resistance is ensured.

• Kitchens:
Most commonly applied as backsplashes behind cooking and washing areas as a highlighter. In premium kitchens, selective use of dry floor zones or decorative inlays is possible with vitrified third-fired tiles.

• Living Rooms:
Ideal for TV unit back walls, wall niches, and statement panels. Living rooms are also one of the most suitable areas for controlled decorative flooring using large-format vitrified third-fired tiles with low to moderate foot traffic.

• Bedrooms:
Applied behind headboards or as accent panels. Bedrooms also allow decorative floor usage, as foot traffic is lower, making them ideal for artistic floor expressions.

• Commercial Interiors:
Used in cafes, hotels, boutiques, temples, salons, and showrooms where branding and visual identity are important. Decorative flooring using third-fired tiles is often seen in boutique retail zones, reception areas, and display sections.

• Religious & Cultural Spaces:
Extensively used in temples, pooja rooms, and spiritual installations, particularly god picture tiles, where symbolism and visual clarity are essential. In some temples, decorative vitrified third-fired tiles are also used on interior floors of low-wear sacred zones.

Types of Third-Fired Tiles

Third-fired tiles are broadly classified into the following three specialised decorative categories:

1) God Picture Tiles

Religious images are applied on ready-made tiles using digital printing or screen-printing techniques, ensuring high clarity and accurate colour reproduction. The printed surface is then fixed through a third firing, which permanently bonds the image with the glaze. These tiles are widely used in temples, pooja rooms, and spiritual spaces, and when produced on vitrified bodies, may also be used on selected sacred floor areas.

2) Vitrosa Tiles

Vitrosa tiles feature decorative designs created using transparent dry glaze applied after printing, allowing the base design to remain clearly visible while adding depth, brightness, and surface clarity. The glaze thickness can be precisely controlled to achieve either subtle or more pronounced visual effects. Vitrosa tiles are suitable for premium wall cladding as well as controlled interior floor applications, provided the installation and usage conditions are appropriate.

3) Galicha Tiles

Galicha tiles involve multiple glaze layers, followed by surface polishing. This process enhances colour intensity, smoothness, and surface richness. The polished finish gives these tiles a premium, luxurious look suitable for high-end decorative walls and statement flooring in low-traffic interiors. Multiple color printing

Available Sizes in Third-Fired Tiles

Third-fired tiles are produced in select sizes that support decorative layouts and controlled installations:

• 300x450mm (12x18 inch) & 300x600mm (12x24 inch):

These are the most commonly used sizes for wall applications in third-fired tiles. They provide ample surface area for detailed artwork while remaining easy to handle and install. The balanced proportions suit bathrooms, kitchens, living room feature walls, and decorative panels, while the elongated 300x600mm format adds a clean, modern visual flow ideal for contemporary wall designs.

• 600x600mm (24x24 inch) & 600x1200mm (24x48 inch):

These large-format sizes are suitable for controlled interior floor applications in premium spaces such as living rooms, boutique interiors, and luxury residential or commercial areas with low to moderate foot traffic. When produced on a vitrified body and installed with proper surface protection and skilled workmanship, they create elegant, statement flooring with a refined, seamless appearance.

Patterns Available in Third-Fired Tiles

Third-fired tiles are created specifically for decorative purposes, allowing a wide variety of artistic, cultural, and contemporary patterns suitable for walls and selective interior floors. These patterns are designed to enhance visual appeal while offering flexibility in application and customisation. 

Floral & Nature-Inspired Patterns

Thick layer applied to create embossed flowers, leaves, vines, lotus motifs, and botanical themes; these patterns bring softness and elegance to interiors. They are commonly used in bathrooms, bedrooms, and living room feature walls, and work well with embossed, layered glaze, and subtle metallic finishes. 

Geometric & Abstract Patterns

These include clean lines, repetitive shapes, linear layouts, and abstract compositions. Geometric patterns suit modern kitchens, living rooms, and commercial interiors where contemporary design and visual balance are required. Metallic and polished finishes further enhance their modern appeal.

Traditional & Ethnic Patterns

Rooted in Indian, Moroccan, Spanish, and Middle Eastern art forms, these patterns showcase intricate detailing and culturally inspired motifs. They are ideal for accent walls, cultural spaces, boutiques, and heritage-inspired interiors, where they add richness, character, and artistic depth. These designs are available in embossed finishes with both transparent and opaque (non-transparent) glaze options, and can be produced in a wide variety of colours, allowing flexibility to suit both traditional and contemporary design themes.

God & Religious Image Patterns

Featuring deity images, sacred symbols, and spiritual artwork applied through digital or screen printing, these patterns are widely used in temples, pooja rooms, and religious institutions. High clarity, colour stability, and symbolic accuracy are key characteristics of these designs.

Stone, Marble & Texture-Based Patterns

Designed to replicate natural marble veins, stone textures, fabric effects, or handcrafted surfaces, these patterns offer a refined and realistic look. They are preferred in living rooms, luxury interiors, and premium commercial spaces where subtle sophistication is desired.

Metallic & Lustre Patterns

Incorporating gold, silver, bronze, copper, or antique metallic accents, these patterns create reflective highlights and high-end visual contrast. They are commonly used for statement walls, hotel interiors, and luxury retail environments.

Border, Strip & Motif Patterns

These patterns are created as decorative strips, borders, and motif tiles and are typically paired with plain tiles. They help define spaces, frame walls, and break visual monotony in bathrooms, kitchens, and feature wall layouts, adding character and design continuity.

Custom & Concept-Based Patterns

Since third-fired tiles are not mass-produced, fully customised patterns such as brand logos, personalised artwork, thematic murals, or exclusive colour combinations can be developed to meet specific project requirements.

Stay Inspired with Tilesfinders

Design beyond the ordinary. Explore Third Fired Tiles on Tilesfinders, where ceramic, porcelain, and vitrified bases transform into artistic statements for walls and premium interior floors. From god picture tiles to vitrosa and galicha finishes, discover decor tiles crafted for exclusivity, creativity, and visual impact, perfect for spaces that demand individuality.