People search for a 600x1200 tiles price, an 800x1600 tiles price, a GVT tiles price per box or a wall tiles price per box, but the number only makes sense with the spec behind it. Size and thickness change cost through weight, yield loss, firing and packing, not just through the area of the tile.
This article explains each effect so you can see why a larger format costs more per square metre, without quoting figures.
Why does weight matter?
A larger, thicker tile contains more material per square metre, so it uses more body, more glaze and more energy to fire. It also weighs more, which affects how many square metres fit in a container before the weight limit is reached. See the weight limit per container for tiles.
On the freight side, a heavier box means fewer square metres per container, so the freight cost per square metre rises even if the factory price does not.
What is yield loss?
Yield is the share of tiles that come out of the kiln at the grade you ordered. Larger formats are more sensitive to warpage, edge faults and size variation, so more of the output falls into lower grades. The factory builds that loss into the price of the good grade.
Rectified edges, polishing and larger print areas add to this. Factories that make large formats well have lower loss, and that is part of what you pay for.
How do packing and breakage change with size?
Large tiles need stronger cartons, edge protection and sometimes crates or A-frames. The number of tiles per box drops, so there are more boxes per square metre, and each needs handling. How many tiles are in one box for each size shows the pattern.
Breakage in transit is also higher for large pieces, and a careful buyer allows for it in the specification and the claims terms.
How do floor and wall tiles differ?
For floor tiles, thickness and body strength are the main extra costs, see what decides the price of GVT and PGVT. For wall tiles, price is driven more by the number of designs, print quality and glaze, as set out in what decides the price of ceramic wall tiles. A wall tile box is lighter, so freight effects are smaller.
When you compare two sizes, compare them at the same thickness and grade, or you will not know what you are paying for.
How do you compare two sizes fairly?
Ask each factory to quote both sizes at the same thickness, grade, finish and packing, with the weight per box and the boxes per container stated. Then calculate the cost per square metre delivered to your port, not only at the factory.
Check the lead time as well. A large format may need a dedicated press run, so it can take longer than a standard size and may carry a higher minimum per design.
Next step
We ask audited plants to quote each size on the same basis and show you the difference line by line. Book a free sourcing review to get a real quote for your sizes.