- 1). Draw the design you want to create on a piece of paper the size of your mosaic platform, or print out the design you want on a piece of paper the size of your mosaic platform. The platform refers to the area you are decorating with mosaic tiles, like a trivet, shower wall or tabletop.
- 2). Cut out the designs you want and place them on your mosaic platform.
- 3). Trace the designs onto the mosaic platform with a pencil.
- 4). Arrange the tiles on a table or the floor in the pattern that you think they should go. This is a trial to make sure you like the way the colors look next to one another.
- 5). Base your choice of adhesive on the mosaic tiles and the platform they will be glued to. Craft glue is an acceptable choice if you are using lightweight mosaic tiles for an indoor project. Thin-set or a silicone-based adhesive is strongly recommended for outdoor surfaces. Other adhesive options are cement, epoxy and gummed paper.
- 6). Squeeze adhesive onto the back of your chosen tiles and place them according to your tracing. It is always best to start in a corner. Wait until the adhesive dries before going on to the next step.
- 7). Spread grout over the mosaic and in the spaces between the tiles with a tiler's float.
- 8). Scrape off excess grout with a grout scraper or sponge. Wait 15 to 30 minutes before going on to the next step.
- 9). Use a dry towel to remove grout that has gotten on top of the tiles.
- 10
Go over all of the tiles once more with a soft, dry towel to polish the surface.