Marble effect install - TilersForums.com

[Bobbymoore66]

Hi all.

I am preparing to install my first marble effect tiles and I have seen them installed two ways before. 1 random and the other with the veins lining up and running through in a pattern. I’d prefer the latter but not sure whether you need to pre sort the tiles or whether they are boxed in such a way that the next tile from the box should line up with the one before (if that makes sense) i suppose once I get started it will become clearer just haven’t had the delivery yet so thought I’d try and get ahead of the game with some of your advice.

 

[Boggs]

Normally to get the effect of the second image you need book matched/large format tiles.
It will be difficult/impossible to get the same effect with 600x300.

 

[Huddersfield Tiling]

Boggs is right. It's impossible to follow a grain throughout the wall unless you are specifically buying tiles that do it.

Firstly, don't try and sort natural effect tiles unless you want a pile of boxes and chipped tiles. They are off-set laser printed tiles.
The best thing to do is to work out of 4 boxes at a time and mix up. You might find that you have pattern repeats on 1/6 or 1/12 depending on quality. If they are of lower quality, you'll find quite a few repeat patterns. Switch them, or fix them 180 degrees as far away as a same tile (depending if the calibration is good).