How clinker tile gets its colour

Clinker colour comes from four techniques: through-body colouring, engobing, texturing and flash firing. Each gives its own depth, surface and tonal transitions.

Applies to: The four colouring techniques QAZCLINKER uses: through-body colouring, engobing, texturing, flash firing.
Starting conditions: A shade is judged together with texture and on a sample, not on a screen.
Edition date: 16.10.2026
Technical reviewer: Head of the QAZCLINKER laboratory

The article explains the general principles of colouring clinker. It is not an installation instruction and not a document for a specific batch.

Through-body colouring: Pigment is mixed into the clay before forming and colours the tile through its whole thickness.
Engobing: A thin mineral layer gives matte, deep and multi-tone shades.
Texturing: A smooth, rough or linear surface, grooves or a hand-moulded effect.
Flash firing: The kiln itself paints natural colour transitions.

Why colour is judged together with texture

The same shade looks different on smooth and on relief tile. On a large wall a flat colour quickly becomes dull, while relief, transitions and depth bring a facade to life. That is why the laboratory tries each shade against different textures and frits.

How to build in your own colour

While the line is being prepared for launch, a colour can be developed with the laboratory: the direction, texture and format. Details are in the Laboratory section.