Tile color measurement must represent the fired product customers will install. Glaze thickness, body color, firing, digital decoration, texture and gloss can all affect the spectrum. Define whether the product is intended to be uniform or deliberately varied before selecting a color-difference rule.
Define the tile type and decision
ISO 10545-16 describes instrumental quantification of small color differences between plain-colored ceramic tiles designed to have uniform, consistent color. That scope should not be extended automatically to stone-look graphics, shade-varied ranges, metallic glazes, lustres or strongly textured surfaces. Those products require an agreed sampling and appearance method tied to their design intent.
| Tile type | Measurement approach |
|---|---|
| Plain uniform tile | Compare defined positions or representative averages with the approved standard under the specified method. |
| Printed or patterned tile | Measure identified motif zones or use an imaging method; one spot cannot describe the full design. |
| Deliberately shade-varied range | Characterise the approved distribution and mixing effect rather than forcing every tile to one target. |
| Textured or relief tile | Use a large enough flat area, controlled orientation and multiple locations; record contact limitations. |
Prepare the fired specimen
- Measure the production stage named by the specification—normally fired, cooled and cleaned.
- Remove dust, kiln residue and handling marks without polishing or altering the glaze.
- Mark tile orientation and the measured face; keep directional graphics or relief aligned.
- Use flat field areas that fully cover the illumination and viewing apertures.
- Record glaze type, surface finish and any sealer or treatment.
Choose settings and aperture
Lock geometry, aperture, SCI/SCE condition, illuminant, observer and formula. SCI can reduce the influence of some gloss differences, while SCE is more surface-sensitive. If gloss itself is specified, measure it separately. Use the largest aperture that fits a representative uniform area without including grout-line relief, bevels, print boundaries or edges unintentionally.
Sample the batch, not only one tile
Select tiles across kiln position, time, press cavity, decoration head and pallet as relevant. Take defined readings on each tile and retain tile-to-tile range as well as the lot mean. A close average can conceal a bimodal shade distribution that produces visible patching after installation.
Control boards still matter
For products intended to mix visually, compare a representative laid-out group under the specified light as well as the individual instrumental data.
Interpret color with process context
Use ΔL*, Δa*, Δb* or lightness, chroma and hue components to diagnose firing and glaze drift. Review gloss, texture, print density and body show-through separately. Set acceptance limits from approved and rejected production, not a universal Delta E band.
References and further reading
- ISO 10545-16: determination of small color differences in ceramic tiles.
- ASTM E1164: object-color spectrometric data.
Continue with ceramic color, textured materials and architectural tolerances.
Last reviewed 22/09/2026 · Level: Intermediate
Topics
Applications
Related knowledge
Fundamentals
Color Measurement for Building Materials
A complete framework for measuring color across tile, ceramics, concrete, architectural coatings, laminates, composites, stone and other building products.
Technical guide · Read the guide →Measurement Techniques
Measuring Ceramic Color
Measure ceramic color across glazes, bodies, sanitaryware, brick and architectural ceramics by controlling firing, curvature, finish, opacity and location.
Technical guide · Read the guide →Measurement Techniques
Measuring Concrete Color
Measure concrete color by controlling age, curing, moisture, finish, sealer, efflorescence, aggregate exposure and spatial sampling across panels or products.
Technical guide · Read the guide →SCI & SCE
Measuring Powder-Coated Architectural Products
Measure powder-coated extrusions, panels and architectural components by controlling substrate, cure, film build, gloss, texture, direction and sample location.
Technical guide · Read the guide →Measurement Techniques
Measuring Laminate and Composite Surfaces
Measure laminate and composite surface color by controlling décor, texture, gloss, grain direction, protective film, substrate and patterned-area sampling.
Technical guide · Read the guide →Aperture Size
Color Measurement on Textured Building Materials
Measure color on brick, render, stucco, pavers, roofing and other textured building materials with controlled geometry, aperture, contact, orientation and sampling.
Technical guide · Read the guide →