A tile catalogue is a factory's list of the designs it can make, grouped by size, body and finish, each with a design code. You choose by narrowing it to what sells in your market, then confirming each choice on a real tile.
Most Morbi catalogues are PDFs or online galleries with hundreds of designs. The pictures are a starting point, not the product.
How to read a catalogue
Catalogues are usually split by size first, then by series. Each page shows a design code, the size, the finish and often a room photo. The room photo is usually a computer rendering, not a real installation.
- The design code is what you order by, so copy it exactly into every message and quote.
- The size is the nominal size, such as 600 x 1200 mm, and the real size can differ slightly by calibre.
- The body tells you whether it is a ceramic wall tile or a vitrified (porcelain) tile; see ceramic, porcelain and vitrified tiles.
- The finish names, such as glossy, matt, satin, carving or high gloss, are not standard across factories, so ask for a sample.
- The number of faces tells you how many print variations the design has, and more faces means less visible repetition.
- Stock status tells you whether the design is ready stock or made to order, which changes timing.
Narrow it down before you look at pictures
Start with your own market, not the catalogue. Write down the sizes your customers buy, the rooms they buy for and the finishes that move. A design that sells well in the Gulf may not suit a European bathroom.
Then decide on use. Floor tiles need a body and finish that suit foot traffic and wet areas. Ask for the technical data, including slip resistance where your market has a rule for it. Wall tiles can be lighter and more decorative.
Only then open the catalogue. Shortlist a manageable number of designs per size. Too many designs in one container spreads it thin and makes each design hard to reorder. Our article on mixed sizes and designs in one container explains how far a single container can be split.
Why the screen is not the tile
A catalogue image is a scan or a rendering, shown on your screen's colour settings. A fired tile can look warmer, cooler, darker or flatter. Gloss and texture barely show in a photo at all.
So every shortlisted design needs a physical sample before you commit. Ask for full-size pieces of large formats if you can, because the pattern scale only shows at full size. Check several faces of the same design side by side.
Ask whether each design is current. Catalogues are not always updated, and some designs are discontinued or only made on order. Ask, too, whether the design is sold widely by other factories under other codes. Popular designs often are.
Finally, check that the catalogue belongs to the plant you are talking to. A seller who sends several catalogues from different plants is usually a trader. That is not always a problem, but you should know it before you order.
Next step
We collect catalogues from several plants, shortlist designs against your market and sizes, gather the physical samples and confirm stock status and timing in writing. To start with your own size and design list, book a free sourcing review.