A highlighter or decor tile is a feature tile designed to sit with plainer base tiles in the same wall series. It carries a stronger pattern, a motif or a special effect, and is used in a band, a panel or a small area to break up a large plain wall.
In Morbi catalogues, highlighters are part of a concept: a set of base light, base dark and highlighter tiles in the same size, designed to be laid together.
What makes a decor tile different
The body and size are usually the same as the base tile. The difference is in the decoration. Common types include:
- Printed pattern tiles, with florals, geometrics or mosaic looks over the base design.
- Effect tiles with metallic, glitter or gold glaze applied over the print.
- Structured tiles with a raised relief pressed into the surface.
- Panel sets, where several tiles together form one larger picture and must be laid in order.
Raised designs are covered in 3D and structured wall tiles. Panel sets need special care at packing, since a missing or wrong piece spoils the whole picture.
How much to order
Highlighters cover a small share of the wall, so you order fewer of them than base tiles. The right ratio depends on how your customers use the concept. Look at the factory's room photos and mock-ups, then estimate how many highlighter boxes each project needs.
Some factories set a separate minimum for decor tiles, because effect glazes need their own production run. Ask whether the decor is in ready stock or made to order. The per-design limits are explained in the MOQ per wall tile design.
The main risk: colour mismatch
Decor tiles are often printed in a different run from the base tiles. If the runs differ, the background colour of the decor may not match the base on the wall. The difference may be small in the box and obvious once the wall is grouted.
To reduce the risk, order base and decor from the same factory, in the same production period, and check them side by side before loading. The detailed checks are in avoiding colour mismatch between wall and decor tiles.
What to agree in writing
- The design code of each base and decor tile in the concept.
- The work size and calibre of decor and base, which must match for straight grout lines.
- Whether decor tiles are sorted to the same grade definition as the base.
- For panel sets, how many complete sets are in each box and how they are numbered.
- A sample panel of base and decor laid together, photographed before loading.
Next step
We check base and decor tiles together at the factory and photograph them laid side by side before the container is loaded. To plan a concept range, book a free sourcing review.