We categorize tile defects into 5 practical types for better understanding by importers, site supervisors, and QC teams.
| Defect | Description |
|---|---|
| Pinhole | Small circular holes caused by air bubbles under the glaze. |
| Glaze Skip / Patchy Glaze | Areas where glaze is missing, leading to dullness. |
| Uneven Gloss / L Value Gap | Inconsistent polish or shine across the tile surface. |
| Dull Surface | Lack of gloss in polished tiles — may be due to polishing or glaze issues. |
| Bubbles / Blisters | Small glaze bubbles or raised spots formed during firing. |
| Color Firing Defect | Discoloration due to over- or under-firing in the kiln. |
| Digital Print Blur | Poor resolution or offset pattern in digital printing. |
| Design Misalignment | Misregistration of the print layers, especially in book-matched tiles. |
| Shade Variation | Noticeable color difference between tiles or batches. |
| White Patches (Stains) | Mineral deposits, salts, or glaze slip showing up as white patches. |
| Inclusions / Black Spots | Small black particles embedded into the surface. |
| Oil Marks / Sticky Surface | Improper cooling or packing can leave sticky residues. |
| Moisture Spots | Damp surface due to improper drying or humidity. |
| Defect | Description |
|---|---|
| Length/Width Variation | Length/Width Variation |
| Diagonal Inaccuracy | Tile is not square; diagonals don't match. |
| Thickness Variation | Inconsistent thickness across tiles or within the same box. |
| Center Warpage (Bowing) | Tile lifts in the middle when laid flat. |
| Edge Warpage | Edges curve upward or downward. |
| Corner Lift | Corners of tiles do not touch the ground when laid. |
| Twist Defect | Uneven height across all four corners — especially in large-format tiles. |
| Defect | Description |
|---|---|
| Chipped Edge | Break or notch on the side of the tile — caused during cutting or handling. |
| Broken Corners | Fractured corners due to impact or poor packing. |
| Cracked Tile | Hairline or visible cracks across tile body. |
| Pressed Marks / Lines | Press tooling leaves unwanted lines or marks on the tile. |
| Mold Defects | Irregular tile shape due to worn or dirty mold. |
| Uncalibrated Edge | Edge not straight — leads to grout misalignment. |
| Defect | Description |
|---|---|
| Box Mismatch | Wrong box printed or packed with different design. |
| Incorrect Shade Sticker | Label does not match the shade inside. |
| Missing Batch Sticker | Essential for traceability and laying — sticker not placed or misplaced. |
| Loose Packing | Tiles move inside box — leads to edge or corner damage. |
| No Paper/Foam Separator | Causes tiles to rub against each other, damaging the glaze. |
| Low-Quality Box | Box collapses or tears during handling. |
| Improper Palletization | Unstable or loose pallet loading — risk during container movement. |
| Defect | Description |
|---|---|
| Low Breaking Strength | Fails under standard force — indicates poor body formulation. |
| Excessive Water Absorption | Especially in porcelain tiles — makes tile unsuitable for certain uses. |
| Slippery Surface | Polished tile with no anti-slip rating used in wet areas. |
| Abrasion Failure | Glaze wears out quickly in floor application — poor abrasion class. |
| Inconsistent Gloss (Polished Tiles) | Shows “patch” effects under light — affects visual appeal. |
All of the above defects are documented by AQS inspectors with actual photographs and mentioned in the final report along with the quantity affected and remarks.
