The usual way to tile a custom shower base is to install a liner and adjustable drain, and then pour a concrete shower base. After the concrete drys you tile the floor. This process is slow and time consuming, but yields a good result when you use an experienced tile setter.
The Schluter Shower System is more expensive, but the job is done in a fraction of the time that it would take to finish it using traditional methods. The end result is perfect. See photos below.
