A basic skill when working with mosaics is the cutting of ceramic and glass tiles. With this skill under your belt, you are one step closer to creating your mosaic masterpiece.

There are a variety of methods used for cutting mosaic tiles and different tools may be used for cutting depending on the tile type and the result you are aiming for.

The so-called cutting of a tile is not actually cutting, but an attempt to control to some degree how the tile fractures.

A tile, when placed under pressure, will fracture where there is the least resistance, which may not be where you want it to break or split. Mastering mosaic tile cutting is really managing fracturing to achieve a desired shape. Tiles manufactured in various materials will be cut differently.

Cutting Tools

Cutting tools used for mosaic tile cutting include:

• Manual Tile Cutter – Ideal for cutting straight edges.
• Straight edge tile nippers – allow you to cut straight edges, convex curves, circles, and to split tiles
• Curved Tile nippers – will cut all shapes except for straight lines
• Parrot Beak Nippers – used for nibbling tiles and tile pieces to create shapes
• Dremel
• Tile scriber – allows you to score a tile by hand

Cutting Pre-formed Mosaic Tiles for Bathrooms and Kitchens

Pre-formed Mosaic Tiles are also used for flooring and walls in bathrooms and showers or as backsplashes in the kitchen. They generally have a type of net backing and are cut using a manual tile cutter. Usually, one of two methods will be used for this type of tile cutting.

• Manual Tile Cutter with Multipoint breaker
• Cutting with an angle grinder

Cutting Mosaic Tiles with a Manual Tile Cutter

Necessary Tools

• Tile cutter
• Marker
• Tiles
• Safety glasses

Step 1: Mark the Tile

With a marker, mark a line on the tile front. Put on your safety glasses.

Step 2: Positioning

Place the mosaic tile sheet and place it on the cutter bed face up. Align your marked line with the cutters scoring wheel. If the tile edges are interlocking, the tile edge should be flush with the line of the cutter.

Step 3: Score the tile

Without applying much pressure, score the mosaic tile along your marked line.

Step 4: Cut the Tile

Allow the pressure pad to drop onto your tile. Using the handle, apply gentle pressure to snap the single mosaic tiles as you move down the score line.

How to Use Tile Nippers for Mosaic

Necessary Tools

• Safety glasses or goggles
• Non-permanent washable marker
• Wheeled mosaic nippers

Step 1: Mark.

Draw desired lines on the mosaic tile for guiding your cutting with a marker.

Step 2: Protect.

Put your safety glasses on. Avoid doing any cutting when children, people, or pets are near you.

Step 3: Position.

Hold your mosaic nippers as if they are a pair of pliers, keeping them close to the work surface in a comfortable position. Position the wheels’ edges along your mark line.

Step 4: Cut.

Squeeze together the nipper handles with enough force to cut through the tile.

Tip: For curve cutting, snip the tile with the nippers until you achieve the desired shape.

How to Use a Tile Scriber

A tile scriber will have a tungsten carbide tip. This tool will score any tile glaze.

Necessary Tools

• Tile scriber
• Marker or pencil
• Safety glasses

Step 1: Marking

Mark the tile using a pencil or marker for your desired cut.

Step 2: Score the tile

Position the scriber at the beginning of your marked line. Press gently but firmly down on the tile at the beginning and at the end of your line defining a score at both ends.

Now score the entire line you have marked. This must be done to help avoid breakage.

Step 3: Cutting the tile

The score line should face upwards. Place the tile over the edge of a table or workbench. The piece you wish to use should be flat on the table or workbench surface. The piece you do not want should be extended over your work surface’s edge. Press downward on the overhanging piece, it should snap off easily leaving a clean break.

Cutting Mosaic Tile Using a Dremel

Necessary Tools

• Dremel Rotary Tool
• EZ545 Cutting wheel
• Tile Clamp Safety glasses
• Marker or pencil

Step 1: Mark the Tile

Draw a line on the tile where you wish to cut.

Step 2: Prepare the Tile

Position and clamp the tile to your work surface.

Step 3: Prepare the Dremel

Put on your safety glasses. Place the blade on your Dremel securely. Plug in the Dremel and set the speed from medium to high.

Step 4: Cut

Cut along the tile mark to achieve the tile piece or shape you want.

Conclusion

Cutting mosaic tiles is easy and there are multiple ways to do so. Depending on the tile type, and your project, choose the correct cutting tool to get the best results.