Their Face, on a Portuguese Tile
Some photographs deserve a life beyond the screen.
The way he waits by the door. The way she looks straight down the lens. Pet on a Tile turns your own photograph into a blue-and-white, azulejo-inspired portrait, framed with a border created by the Portuguese Tile Society design team, with their name lettered into the tile itself.
Choose your photograph, add their name, explore our Portuguese-inspired borders, and see your tile come to life before you order. Your finished ceramic tile is then made to order in Porto.
Our digital design process, MEMÓRIA, uses AI-assisted image generation together with border artwork and design elements developed by our own team, reimagining your photograph in the visual tradition of Portuguese azulejos. The artwork is created digitally. The tile itself is made and finished in Porto.
How It Works
1. Choose your border
Select one of our four border styles: Lisboa, Porto, Algarve or Braga.
2. Add their name
Type the name you want on the tile. It is lettered into a banner beneath the portrait, in the same cobalt blue as the rest of the artwork.
3. Upload your photograph
Choose the photograph you would like to transform. Clear, well-lit images generally give the best results, and a photo where you can see their eyes gives the best portrait.
4. Select Generate Artwork
Your photograph will be digitally reimagined in our blue-and-white azulejo style, paired with your chosen border and their name. You will see your design before deciding to purchase.
5. Explore until you find the one you love
Want to try another border or photograph? Simply select a new border, upload your photograph again, and select Generate Artwork. You can experiment with different combinations before choosing your tile.
Once you have found your preferred design, select it and choose your tile size to order.
The Name Plate
A portrait shows you who they were. The name tells everyone else.
Their name is lettered into a banner beneath the portrait, in the same cobalt blue as the rest of the tile. It is part of the painted artwork rather than an engraving or a label added afterwards.
Short names sit best. Bruno. Luna. Nossa Mimi. There is room for a name and a pair of years if you want one.
Choose Your Border
Each of our borders was created by the Portuguese Tile Society design team, drawing inspiration from the decorative traditions and distinctive character found throughout Portugal.
Lisboa
Elegant and understated, Lisboa uses fine cobalt lines and ornamental floral corners to frame your photograph without overwhelming it. Its open design gives your image plenty of room to remain the focus.
Porto
Our most elaborate border. Deep cobalt scrollwork, sculptural curves and a richly ornamented inner frame draw on the dramatic Baroque character found throughout Porto. A beautiful choice for photographs that call for a more decorative, traditional presentation.
Algarve
A geometric border inspired by the Moorish influence that remains an important part of southern Portugal's architectural and decorative heritage. Cobalt blue, white and warm ochre come together in repeating stars and interlocking forms for a style quite different from our more botanical borders.
Braga
Graceful scrolling foliage surrounds the photograph in a lighter interpretation of traditional Portuguese ornament. Braga combines Baroque-inspired curves with an open botanical design, giving it an elegant character without the heavier framing of Porto.
Not Every Pet Is a Dog
The azulejo tradition has never been fussy about its subjects. Portuguese tiles carry saints and sea battles, but they also carry chickens, cats, swallows and sardines.
So bring the greyhound, the rescue mutt, the cat who tolerates you, the horse, the rabbit, the parrot who swears. Pale fur, dark fur, one eye, three legs. If the photograph is clear and you can see their face, it will make a tile.
For the One You Miss
Some of these tiles are made for a pet who is asleep on the sofa right now. Others are made for one who is not.
A tile does not fade, and it does not sit in a folder you have to be brave enough to open. It goes on a wall, and their name goes with it. If you want dates on the name plate, there is room for them.
There is no rush on a tile like this. Take the time to choose the photograph.
Made to Order in Porto
Your artwork is created digitally using our own border designs, then made to order as a ceramic tile in Porto, Portugal.
Available in three square sizes:
10 × 10 cm
15 × 15 cm
20 × 20 cm
Every design is shown to you before you order, so you can choose the photograph, border and name combination that feels right to you.
Need Something More Custom?
Sometimes one photograph is not the whole story.
Perhaps you would like two pets on one tile, a background changed, a collar or a toy added, a favourite walk worked into the scene, or a piece designed across several tiles. Or perhaps the only photograph you have is not good enough and you would rather a person worked on it.
That's where our Artist Designed Custom Tiles begin.
Instead of generating the design yourself, you work with our design team. Tell us what you have in mind and send us your photographs or inspiration. Our artists develop your concept and send you 2 to 3 design proposals within 3 to 5 business days.
The process begins with a €10 design deposit, which is credited toward your final order. Nothing goes into production until you have selected your preferred design.
Explore Artist Designed Custom Tiles
