4. Measure, mark, and cut. Lay the tile you are cutting faceup on top of the whole tile that it will adjoin. Butt another whole tile against the edge you’re cutting to and overlap the tile to be cut. Wearing safety goggles and work gloves, use the scribing tool to scribe through the glaze of the tile to be cut, along the edge of the top tile. Using a snap cutter, lock the tile in place and score. Apply steady pressure on the lever arm, and the tile should snap along the scored line. Use either a rod saw or tile nippers to make irregular-shape cuts.

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5. Add spacers. To prevent the tiles from shifting before the mastic hardens, press plastic spacers into the wet mastic at the tile joints. Spacers are also needed between the countertop and first row of tile to allow for caulking.

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6. Mix and apply grout. Tile must set for 24 hours before grout can be applied. For joints 1⁄8 inch or less, use unsanded grout; for larger joints, use sanded grout. Remove the spacers. Mix the grout according to the package directions. Wearing rubber gloves, apply it to the tile using a rubber-blade float. Work the grout into the joints.