Covering element, method for decorating a covering element, and machine for decorating a covering element

A method for decorating covering elements for floors and/or walls, comprising the steps of:

• providing a backing of green ceramic material for the covering element;
• distressing all upper edges of the green ceramic material backing;
• applying at least one coating layer on an upper surface of the green ceramic material backing after the distressing step, the at least one coating layer comprising a glaze;
• and
• firing the covering element comprising the green ceramic material backing and the at least one coating layer in the same step after the distressing step,
• wherein the distressing step is performed by a shaped grinding wheel that rotates about its own axis at a variable rotation speed such that each distressed upper edge has a different shape from other distressed upper edges,
• wherein the green ceramic material backing is conveyed along an advance direction by a conveyor,
• wherein during the distressing step, the green ceramic material backing is retained by retaining elements in a substantially fixed position relative to the conveyor, the retaining elements comprising a horizontal border that presses on a central portion of the upper surface of the green ceramic material backing,
• wherein the horizontal border comprises a band or belt driven along the advance direction, and
• wherein a width of the horizontal border is less than a width of the green ceramic material backing.