Step 3: Set the first course of tiles along the countertop at the bottom of the backsplash wall. Firmly press each tile into the mastic or thinset. Use plastic spacers to maintain uniform grout ...

Organic mastic is one solution; tile sticks to it almost immediately. Mastic is not as strong as thinset mortar, however, and not as water-resistant.

Because the tile is going onto a vertical surface, you should attach the tiles with tile mastic, rather than thin-set mortar.

Unfinished walls are a bit forgiving when setting tile, so try to line up your tile with something like a bathtub. Your eye will be drawn to that area, so you want to make sure the tile is ...