How to Make a Tile & Grout Sample Board

(Fast, Easy, and Totally Worth It)

Before you grout an entire tile project, there’s one simple step that can save you time, money, and a whole lot of second-guessing: make a tile and grout sample board.

At Clay Imports, we talk about sample boards all the time, but what we don’t always mention is how easy, fast, and honestly kind of fun they are to make. In under an hour, you can create a real, hands-on preview of exactly how your tile, grout color, and joint size will look together before committing to the full installation.

Let’s walk through the process step by step.

• Why Make a Tile Sample Board?
• What You’ll Need
• Step 1: Lay Out Your Tile Pattern
• Step 2: Label the Sample Board (Do This Early!)
• Step 3: Attach the Tiles
• Step 4: Mix the Grout (Small Batch)
• Step 5: Protect Your Workspace
• Step 6: Apply the Grout
• Step 7: Initial Cleanup
• Step 8: Final Cleanup & Detail Work
• Step 9: Remove the Tape
• Why Sample Boards Are So Valuable
• Final Thoughts

Why Make a Tile Sample Board?

A grout sample board does a lot of heavy lifting for such a small project:

• Lets you see the true color and contrast between tile and grout
• Confirms grout compatibility with your tile glaze
• Shows the exact grout joint size you plan to use
• Helps identify potential issues like staining, crazing, or surface scratching
• Gives you confidence before starting your full installation

Think of it as a test run, one that’s cheap, low-stress, and incredibly informative.

What You’ll Need

You don’t need fancy tools or a workshop. Just a few basics:

• Tile (the same tile you’re installing)
• Grout (the exact grout and color you plan to use)
• A hot glue gun (or adhesive)
• Tile spacers (same size as your install, here we’re using 1/8" spacers)
• A clipboard or flat board (old clipboards work great)
• Plastic cups or containers
• Water
• Cardboard (for grout application)
• Grout sponge (or a small cut piece)
• Tape and scrap paper (for protecting surfaces)
• Marker (for labeling)

Step 1: Lay Out Your Tile Pattern

Start by arranging your tiles exactly how you plan to install them. For this sample, we’re using a 2"x5" tile in a straight joint pattern (also known as a stacked bond or straight grid).

At Clay Imports, we often use old warehouse clipboards as sample boards. They’re affordable, sturdy, and better than tossing them out.

Once you’re happy with the layout, add your tile spacers so you can clearly see what the grout joints will look like at scale.

Step 2: Label the Sample Board (Do This Early!)

This step is easy to skip, but don’t.

Before attaching anything, label your board with:

• Tile name and size (example: Clay Imports Dragonfly Gloss 2"x5")
• Grout brand, type, and color (example: Grout 360 Sanded – Adobe Brick)

If you’re making multiple boards with different grout colors, labeling upfront avoids confusion later.

Step 3: Attach the Tiles

Using a hot glue gun, glue each tile to the clipboard one piece at a time. Hot glue dries fast, which makes this step quick, but work carefully.

You only need a small amount of glue. If you prefer, you can use a slower-drying adhesive, but hot glue is great when making multiple sample boards efficiently.

Let the board set for about 5 minutes.

Step 4: Mix the Grout (Small Batch)

While the glue sets, mix your grout.

You’re aiming for the consistency of warm peanut butter, room temperature, not straight from the fridge. No dry powder, no lumps.

Step 5: Protect Your Workspace

Grouts like Grout 360 are highly pigmented, which is great for color, but they can stain surfaces.

Before applying grout:

• Tape off the edges of your board
• Place paper underneath for easy cleanup

Even for a small sample, this extra step is worth it.

Step 6: Apply the Grout

Remove your spacers, then use a piece of cardboard (instead of a grout float) to press grout into the joints.

• Rub grout across the tile surface
• Check for staining or glaze reactions
• See how the grout behaves with crazing or texture

For this board (about ½ square foot), roughly 3–4 teaspoons of grout were used.

Step 7: Initial Cleanup

Once the joints are filled:

• Scrape excess grout from edges with a cardboard
• Wipe diagonally with a damp (not wet!) sponge

Wiping diagonally helps prevent pulling grout out of the joints. You’ll start to see the tile and grout contrast come to life, and this is usually the exciting moment.

Step 8: Final Cleanup & Detail Work

After the surface haze dries to a light, powdery film:

• Use a barely damp sponge to refine grout lines
• At this stage, you can wipe parallel or perpendicular to joints to sharpen edges

This final cleanup is one of the most satisfying parts; it gives you a crisp, realistic preview of your finished installation.

Finish by buffing the surface with a dry, lint-free cloth.

Step 9: Remove the Tape

Carefully peel away the tape, especially when crossing grout joints. Go slow so you don’t pull out any grout.

And just like that, your sample board is complete.

Why Sample Boards Are So Valuable

This small, inexpensive board gives you big insights:

• Confirms tile and grout compatibility
• Shows true color and contrast
• Verifies grout joint size
• Helps you spot issues before installation
• Serves as a reference you can hang on-site

Bonus: clipboards usually have a hole, making them easy to hang in your project space for quick reference.

Final Thoughts

Tile and grout sample boards are one of the simplest ways to ensure a successful installation. They’re fast, affordable (clipboards are often under $1), and incredibly informative.

If you’re on the fence about grout color, joint size, or overall look, make the sample board first. Your future self (and your finished tile project) will thank you.

Happy tiling!