How To Make a Template for Quick, Easy Tile Installation

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Learning to tile a backsplash is no more difficult than trying out a new recipe. In the culinary world, we use the French phrase, "Mise en place." It means to gather in place before starting. Cooking goes much smoother when all of your ingredients are pre measured, or at the very least, within arms reach. That is the same methodology we want to use when tackling a tile project. Whether it is a backsplash, an entry way floor, or your entire bathroom, getting all of your materials lined up and ready to go will save you time, frustration, and money! The best way to do this, is to make a template to follow as you install your tile. Let's get into it and learn how amazing this trick actually is!

Have Treasured Craft Design Your Next Project

Tools Needed to Make Template for Tile Installation

1. Drywall Shims

It is OK that one end is thick, and the other is thin.. Forget about that. The most important part of this item is that it is cheap because when we're done with it, it will be thrown away. Secondarily, this item needs to be straight! Anything that fits these two descriptions would work. One time In a pinch, I disassembled a piece of garden lattice just to save me a trip back out to the hardware store!

2. Hot Glue Gun

Bust out the craft supplies! The hot glue gun you already have will work just fine. I got you covered if you don't already have a hot glue gun! The most important part of this item is technically a part of the Glue Sticks, bringing me to item 3.

3. Glue Gun Sticks

Unfortunately craft glue wont hold up to the tile project we're tackling. It just doesn't bond well to wood material. When it comes time to move your wood shim template, you'll want everything glued together well. Going around corners and fitting through doorways, you may need a little bend in the wood. the shims will bend, but crafters glue will break and you will have to start all over. This is the glue gun I started out with, it comes with 30 sticks too!

4. A Permanent Marker

You'll need something to write with that's waterproof, even if your not using a wet saw. The last thing you need is to accidentally wipe away your pencil marks just before cutting. You will have to start all over again with your dry lay.

5. Painters Tape

Sure, any kind of tape will do. No need to be buying things you already have. Make sure the tape you use does not leave sticky residue behind. We will be labeling our tiles with these and cleaning up tape residue will be a total buzz kill before grouting. Just go with the painters tape, my friend.

6. Six Foot Level

We will use this to make sure the dry lay is straight. With out a level, your grout lines may appear to slope down or up on long areas of your space. You might not notice this when installing since your face is typically a foot away from your tile the whole time. When your project is complete and you finally take a step back is when you will see your tiles look like they are drooping in one direction.. and we don't want that!

Assemble Your Template before Tile Installation

Place your shims on the outer perimeter of the area you wish to tile effectively creating a border around the entire spice. Glue shims together as you go. For particularly large or long areas, add additionally shims for support, cutting right through the middle of your frame.

Have an area that will need cutting around? No Problem! Frame it out, same as before, and be sure to connect it to the main frame with additional shims.

Stay Organized

Once your template is complete, carefully remove it from the space. Find floor space that is larger than your template. Lay out your tile on the floor exactly how you want it, this is called a dry lay. Don't forget to use your tile spacers! Now is a great time to inspect every tile. You never know how many broken pieces you have until you have that box open! When satisfied with your dry lay, place your template right on top.

Use your level to make sure the bottom of your mosaics are level. If using subway tile, us the level to make sure your horizontal grout lines are straight. its not unheard of for cabinets to not be installed straight, so its better to at least make sure your grout lines will be straight to create the allusion of a plumb install.

Trace your template with the permanent marker directly on the tile, Including any areas you marked to cut around like outlets or plumbing holes.

Label your tiles with the painters tape and permanent marker. Every. Single. One. It's important the tiles go back in exactly as you originally planned and the labels are super helpful when you start cutting. This is also a great spot to stop and take a break because if you have to clean your area up for the day, everything will be labeled and traced! If at a clients house, I usually pack up and go home at this point because I can make the cuts at my house the next day.

And there you have it! No gate keeping perfect backsplashes here! To complete your project, check out my post on 10 steps to install tile where we cover the next steps for a successful tile installation project!