Mittsu Custom Tile Development & Production
Custom tile development and production in Japan for architects, interior designers and commercial projects.
This service is for projects requiring a specific tile size, colour or glaze finish beyond standard collections.
It allows precise control over material selection while maintaining the character and quality of Japanese ceramic tile production.
Achieving the right result takes time. Custom tile production should be approached with full consideration of development, approval, production and shipping lead times from the outset.
Glaze development and custom production in Tajimi
Tajimi, in Gifu Prefecture, is one of Japan’s most important ceramic production regions.
Custom tile development often begins with glaze testing, colour refinement and material review before production can be confirmed.
The process is iterative. Samples are developed, reviewed and adjusted until the material direction is approved.
Custom development varies between manufacturers. The video below shows part of the glaze development library from one Japanese producer, illustrating the range of colours, glaze effects and surface finishes available as a starting point for bespoke projects.
Custom development is not limited to colour. The second video shows examples of tile shapes produced by the same facility, demonstrating how profile, proportion and geometry can be adapted to suit a specific architectural requirement.
Custom tile options
Custom tile production in Japan typically falls into three stages. Each stage increases in complexity, development time and production commitment.
Stage 1
Existing tile shape, existing colour.
A tile shape is selected from an existing range and produced in a colour or glaze already established within the collection.
Stage 2
Existing tile shape, custom colour or glaze.
An existing tile shape is used, with a custom glaze or colour developed for the project. This requires testing, refinement and approval before production.
Stage 3
Custom tile shape and custom glaze.
Both tile shape and glaze are developed specifically for the project. This may involve new moulds, technical testing and a more advanced development process.
Feasibility review and development
Before any development fee is charged, Mittsu will review the project concept, intended quantity, tile size, glaze direction and application.
At this stage we aim to confirm whether the project is commercially viable, including indicative minimum order quantity, likely production route, approximate cost and lead time.
If the project proceeds to development and sampling, a development fee typically starts from €500 / £500 / 2,500 AED, depending on complexity and manufacturer requirements.
This fee may cover manufacturer consultation, glaze testing, sample production, technical review and production planning.
Where the project proceeds to full production, the development fee is credited against the final production order.
Minimum order quantities
Minimum order quantities are defined according to the requirements of each project and the production facility best suited to the brief.
Mittsu works across a network of approximately 20 production facilities in Japan, allowing the most appropriate production environment to be selected.
Within this network, a select group of facilities focus on custom tile production, and most custom projects are delivered through one of these.
As a guide, custom tile orders should usually be planned on the basis of approximately 300 m².
Lead times
Production begins once the tile or glaze has been approved.
For an order of approximately 300 m², custom tile production is typically 12 to 16 weeks. Shipping time is additional and will vary depending on destination.
Because development and approval time is separate from production time, custom tile projects should be discussed as early as possible in the design process.
Custom Japanese tiles allow colour, glaze and form to be developed around a specific architectural brief.
Custom tile development is project-specific. Minimum quantities, technical feasibility, sample development and lead times must be confirmed before production.