WHY TILES?

Vieve Forward was initially commissioned by Swindon Drug Interventions Programme to paint murals on the ceilings of cells at Swindon Gable Cross Police Station. This would have been technically difficult, but she could not paint on the walls because they were tiled, so she looked at ways in which her artwork could be reproduced directly on to the tiles. She discovered that there were two methods: by digital waterslide transfers and by silk screen printing. Waterslide transfers were tried, but the colour quality was poor, so she chose the more expensive method of silk screen printing. Working closely with Heraldic Pottery of Stoke-on-Trent, tiles were produced of the requisite high quality, both as regards image and  colour.

The artist's images are printed from digital files on to transfers using the four-colour process, and several screens are produced, one for each layer of colour. These are then employed to print the image on to the tiles, after which the tiles are fired. The hardness of the finished tile surface is comparable with that of a ceramic cup printed with a logo, and is thus completely scratch-proof and can be washed using ordinary cleaning products.

A further advantage of printing on tiles is that once the artwork and printing method have been perfected, they can be used over and over again, if necessary with minor changes such as the use of different logos to suit different locations. They will also last for many years, and if broken, can be replaced individually from the original artwork. They come in standard sizes and are easily installed by a competent tiler.