Every Motawi Tile Is Made by Hand (Yes, Really)

From start to finish, every Motawi ceramic tile is crafted by hand in our Ann Arbor, Michigan studio. It begins with soft clay, pressed into custom molds to shape each tile. From there, artisans trim and smooth every edge by hand before the tiles are bisque-fired in the kiln.

Then comes the magic of the glaze—some tiles are dipped, others are carefully bulb-glazed using a centuries-old technique called Cuenca, where glaze is filled into tiny basins formed by raised lines in the design. No shortcuts, no automation—just human hands and sharp eyes guiding every step.

Finally, every tile gets fired again, locking in color and character. The result? A piece of tile that’s not just made—it’s crafted.