Tessera

What is Tessera?

Tessera turns a flat surface into a set of 3D printable relief tiles. You enter the width and height of a wall, splashback, cabinet door or headboard (30 to 250 cm), pick a tile size and one of 23 seamless patterns, such as wavy, zellige, fluted, fish scale or Moroccan star, and it works out the layout: whole tiles first, then edge and corner pieces cut out of a whole tile so the relief runs on across every joint.

The download is one file per unique piece rather than one per tile, each named with its size and how many copies to print, plus a dimensioned setting-out plan (SVG) and a README with print settings. Files come as STL or STEP; pick a second color for the top of the relief and the 3MF files carry both filaments, with a single color change per plate. Tessera knows 12 printers and warns you when a piece is too big for your bed.

Tiles have flat backs for tile adhesive or mounting tape, and three optional systems are built into the same files: printed keys or tabs that lock tiles edge to edge, and wall clips so a tile pulls off and clicks back on. There is a separate fit-test print and sample plates to check tolerances first. It is free, needs no account and runs in your browser; designs stay in local storage.

What you can make

• Relief wall tiles
• Kitchen splashbacks
• Cabinet and sideboard door panels
• Headboards and feature walls

How to use Tessera

1. Enter your wall size and tile size in the studio
2. Pick a pattern, a color and your printer
3. Choose glue, keys, tabs or wall clips under Putting it up
4. Download the zip, print a test tile, then print the pieces and follow the plan