how to mark tile for cutting?

[Sibley]

I need to mark tile cuts on 1 inch hexagon tiles. It's unglazed ceramics. How do I do this so I don't leave permanent marks?

And fyi, the floor is going to look WONDERFUL but the tile installer (my friend) is going to strangle me.

[zolotiyeruki]

I believe the tool is called a China marker.  Available at your local home improvement store.

[Dancin'Dog]

I'd try using a pencil.  If you can't remove whatever you use to mark the tile with, make your marks on the waste side of the cut, so the saw will cut them away.


China markers are made of wax, like a hard crayon.  They're made for marking glazed ceramics and glass but probably won't wipe off the unglazed tile. 

[Sibley]

I do need to put sealer on the tiles, would that protect them from the china marker or pencil? Was gonna do sealer after mortar before grout, but I could do it now.

[GuitarStv]

I'd think that a piece of chalk would work great for doing this.

[sonofsven]

I would try a pencil first, then a china marker. Make sure you can get the china marker off before you install!
I would seal before grout, and probably use a white thin set if they're white-ish tiles.
Yes, those little hex tiles are a PITA, but pretty when done.
You can sometimes buy pre cut "points", three point or four point sections that are half cuts of the tile, for starting at walls, etc.
Also, you can use a fine point sharpie and mark on the "wrong" side of the cut so the mark will be cut off.
I also use a rubber hand roller for pressing the hex sheets into the thinset.
I've laid a lot of hex, biggest thing is to go easy on the thinset so you don't get a lot of push through of the thinset when you roll them out.

[sisto]

a special type of grease pencil. If the tile is light colored regular pencil can stain it.

[Sibley]

I would try a pencil first, then a china marker. Make sure you can get the china marker off before you install!
I would seal before grout, and probably use a white thin set if they're white-ish tiles.
Yes, those little hex tiles are a PITA, but pretty when done.
You can sometimes buy pre cut "points", three point or four point sections that are half cuts of the tile, for starting at walls, etc.
Also, you can use a fine point sharpie and mark on the "wrong" side of the cut so the mark will be cut off.
I also use a rubber hand roller for pressing the hex sheets into the thinset.
I've laid a lot of hex, biggest thing is to go easy on the thinset so you don't get a lot of push through of the thinset when you roll them out.

Instructions say to seal before grout, don't worry. And these are reproduction tile, no precut points. Gotta do this the hard way.

Tile is laid out. Gotta mark each section and map it, using painters tape for that. Then will mark my cut lines.

[Dicey]

Tape or pencil.

[sonofsven]

I would try a pencil first, then a china marker. Make sure you can get the china marker off before you install!
I would seal before grout, and probably use a white thin set if they're white-ish tiles.
Yes, those little hex tiles are a PITA, but pretty when done.
You can sometimes buy pre cut "points", three point or four point sections that are half cuts of the tile, for starting at walls, etc.
Also, you can use a fine point sharpie and mark on the "wrong" side of the cut so the mark will be cut off.
I also use a rubber hand roller for pressing the hex sheets into the thinset.
I've laid a lot of hex, biggest thing is to go easy on the thinset so you don't get a lot of push through of the thinset when you roll them out.

Instructions say to seal before grout, don't worry. And these are reproduction tile, no precut points. Gotta do this the hard way.

Tile is laid out. Gotta mark each section and map it, using painters tape for that. Then will mark my cut lines.

You can make wood tile holders to mass produce your own points

[lthenderson]

I need to mark tile cuts on 1 inch hexagon tiles. It's unglazed ceramics. How do I do this so I don't leave permanent marks?

And fyi, the floor is going to look WONDERFUL but the tile installer (my friend) is going to strangle me.

For straight cuts, I never mark the tile to start with. I just use a fence and adjust it to the abrasive blade the proper distance using a tape measure. For non-straight cuts, I use permanent marker on the waste side of the cut.

[Paper Chaser]

Painters tape. You can mark on it, and it helps reduce the chances of the edge chipping.

[sonofsven]

Painters tape. You can mark on it, and it helps reduce the chances of the edge chipping.

It tends to fall off when using the wet saw.

[Sibley]

Gotta love the variety methods. I think my best option may be to seal the tile then test China pencil and regular pencil. A small section I can mark the back, most I can't because its held together with netting on the back.

Some of the tiles we can probably get by not marking them at all. Many of the tough ones I can't mark yet, because spacing isn't final yet. So, am preparing as best I can, then we'll mark on the day.

[Sibley]

Update: the floor is laid!!!! Still need to grout and deal with the usual small issues after laying a 6x4 floor with tiles that are 1in square or less, but it's laid. Marking was done via pencil, that seemed to come off best on the test. Required a good 7 hours of prep time then actual laying took just over an hour lol.

I know there's a couple of edge pieces that popped, they will be mostly covered by baseboard so we're using whatever glue to stick them back down. Haven't removed all the plastic yet so may find more. That will be tonight. I'll post pics later, cause this floor deserves to be shared :)

[zolotiyeruki]

pics?

[Sibley]

I mean, if you won't wait until it's done...

This is from when it was still wet, laid. It's dark out, won't get a good picture tonight after the plastic is removed. Still need to grout.

[nereo]

Congratulations on finally getting laid!
(Sorry, I couldn’t help myself)

Seriously though - that’s one of the best looking DIY tile jobs I’ve seen in a while.

[MasterStache]

I know you already figured out a way to mark but I highly recommend this pencil. Been using for a while now.
https://www.pica-marker.com/en/pen/pica-dry

BTW, tile looks great! From someone that lays tile pretty regularly.

[zolotiyeruki]

That looks fantastic.  Especially the clean cuts around the closet flange.

[Sibley]

So, it's "DIY" but my friend is professional level. He only did this because he took pity on me as I couldn't find someone for a YEAR.  I helped, I designed and did initial layout, but its his skill in cutting and install. It's not perfect but you have to get up close to see most of the issues. He might have better luck with cleaning out between some of the tiles than I did last night. Once the popped tiles are fixed and it's grouted (hopefully all tonight), I think it'll look great. And yes, I'm paying him with money but also he's had dinner and beer.

Not pictured is the new trim which my dad and I cut Saturday. That is more obviously DIY - I don't have the skill and he used to but dementia sucks. We're able to hide most of it with patch, filler, and the toilet. That will be installed Thursday. Plumber comes Friday.

[lthenderson]

It's not perfect but you have to get up close to see most of the issues.

Spoken like a true DIYer. Every project I have ever done I can usually see flaws that weren't perfect. At the same time, rarely is there a project that I've completed that somebody else also notices those flaws. It is the curse of being a DIYer.

[nereo]

It's not perfect but you have to get up close to see most of the issues.

Spoken like a true DIYer. Every project I have ever done I can usually see flaws that weren't perfect. At the same time, rarely is there a project that I've completed that somebody else also notices those flaws. It is the curse of being a DIYer.

I've come to realize that's as much an artifact of being the installer as it is the experience. Rarely do I examine a contractor's ("Pro") work and not see similar imperfections.  I tend to notice my own more because I know exactly where they are, why they happened, and I was often examining them inches away. 

[Sibley]

It's not perfect but you have to get up close to see most of the issues.

Spoken like a true DIYer. Every project I have ever done I can usually see flaws that weren't perfect. At the same time, rarely is there a project that I've completed that somebody else also notices those flaws. It is the curse of being a DIYer.

I've come to realize that's as much an artifact of being the installer as it is the experience. Rarely do I examine a contractor's ("Pro") work and not see similar imperfections.  I tend to notice my own more because I know exactly where they are, why they happened, and I was often examining them inches away.

Yeah.... I accidently flaked off a tiny piece of tile when removing the thinset between tiles. Wasn't noticeable until after I grouted. Now I notice it. Oh well.

Floor is done, it came out great. Haven't had time to get a picture to post, so patience. Tonight have to finish painting the walls and window trim. Will be extremely careful not to get paint on the brand new floor. (I'm leaving on Monday for a 3 week long trip, and the bathroom needs to be functional for the pet sitter, thus the bathroom has to be done. I'm on deadline.)

[Sibley]

Grouted and dry.

[MasterStache]

It's not perfect but you have to get up close to see most of the issues.

Spoken like a true DIYer. Every project I have ever done I can usually see flaws that weren't perfect. At the same time, rarely is there a project that I've completed that somebody else also notices those flaws. It is the curse of being a DIYer.

I did a penny tile shower floor for a homeowner recently. After grouting I could tell the sheets weren't lined up as well as I would have liked. The homeowner couldn't see it unless she really had to look for it and said it looked fine. I used an adjustable drain so I just tiled right over top and it turned out much better the 2nd time. My spouse calls it my OCD.