Direct Method of Mosaic

This is the most common way to lay mosaic tiles. Basically you glue each tile directly to your final surface. This is a great technique for a lot of mosaic pieces.

You can use whatever adhesive you have chosen and prep your surface accordingly. To lay your tiles, either lay your glue on the surface and then place your tiles or dab the glue onto the back of each tile and lay the tile on your surface (called backbuttering). Each method works and I actually use both when tiling direct.

The problem arises when you have a cool design that you want to transfer onto a tabletop or other similar surface. Once you draw out your design then you can redraw it onto your table easily using carbon paper. Lay out the carbon paper on the table then lay your design on top. Trace over all of your lines and it will then be reproduced on your table.

Now you have to adhere the tiles to this table. If using thinset, you might have trouble. You will have to be very careful to only spread enough thinset so that you don't cover up your lines. This is where the backbuttering of the tiles is best. If you use Weldbond or some other tube like glue then you can use either method to lay the tiles.

Direct method is best when you don't have a specific design in mind. Random placement of tiles works great in this area.