Tips & hints

Wallpapering a room can transform your space, but it can also be messy if you’re not prepared. Before you even begin, there are a few basics to remember to ensure a smooth and successful project. Here are some tips and hints to help you avoid common mistakes and achieve professional-looking results.

Preparation is always key

Before starting any project preparation is key, ensuring you walls are clean, dry, and smooth. Fill any holes or cracks with filler and sand them down. Walls showing traces of mould growth should be treated with an anti-fungicide treatment.

Gathering the right tools

Wallpaper paste/adhesive: Choose the right paste for your wallpaper type. We always recommend to use a high quality paste. For wallpapers with special effects such as metallics we recommend a low or no starch paste.
Rubber roller: To eliminate air bubbles and roll over the seams to ensure the paper adheres properly.
Utility knife: For trimming excess wallpaper at the edges.
Tape measure and level: For accurate measurements and to ensure your wallpaper is straight.
Pasting table: Provides a clean and convenient surface to cut and measure wallpaper lengths and for pasting the paper. Although the majority of our wallpapers are apply paste to the wall, please be sure to check the label as a few are paste the paper, these are typically vinyl wallpapers.

Understanding batch numbers

Always check batch numbers on rolls – these should be identical – and make sure you have enough for the full job using our handy wallpaper calculator which enables you to enter the dimensions of your wall space and advises on the roll quantities you will require. A wallpaper calculator can be found on each product page.

Understanding pattern repeats and symbols

Wallcovering symbols Many people might not be familiar with the specific symbols used in wallpaper design. However, every wallpaper comes with a standardised set of symbol that detail its specifications and properties. Following the instructions provided with wallpaper is essential, so we’ve out together this helpful guide to explain what each symbol means…

Washability

Spongeable – If you notice a single wavy line on the label, it means the wallpaper is spongeable. This is the lowest level of washability, indicating that you should clean the wallpaper with a damp (not soaking wet) sponge, gently wiping the surface. Our glass beads wallpapers will all have a single wavy line as they are the most delicate.
Washable – Indicated by two wavy lines, washable wallpaper is slightly more durable than spongeable wallpaper. While it’s easier to clean surface dirt, you still need to be gentle and use a sponge without any chemicals. Be careful not to over-wet the sponge or apply too much pressure to avoid tearing the paper.
Extra washable – Three wavy lines signify extra washable wallpaper. This type is suitable for kitchens and bathrooms as it withstands more moisture. However, it is not waterproof, so keep it away from direct water exposure, such as near a shower or sink to avoid damage.
Scrubbable – This wallpaper type is marked by a symbol resembling a scrubbing brush, indicating it is more durable and can withstand more pressure when cleaning Use a damp sponge and be cautious, as it is still paper and can be damaged with excessive force.

Paste instructions

It’s crucial to follow the correct paste instructions for your wallpaper to avoid issues like bubbles, creases, improper adhesion, and tearing. There are two main symbols for pasting instructions.

Paste the paper – This is the most frequent paste symbol. It involves applying paste directly to the back of the wallpaper, allowing it to soak, and then applying the strip to the wall.
Paste the wall – A newer and increasingly popular method, paste the wall requires no soak time and minimises errors. As the name suggests, you apply paste directly to the wall and then position the wallpaper on top. This method is often used with non-woven wallpapers.

Wallpaper removal

Understanding the correct removal technique will save you considerable time and effort in the future. There are three main methods for removing wallpaper:

Strippable – Strippable wallpaper cab be removed in a single piece while dry. Both the front and back layers come off the wall together.
Peelable – With peelable wallpaper, only the top layer comes off, leaving the backing paper on the wall. This can be done while the wallpaper is dry.
Wet removable – Wet removable wallpaper requires a liquid solution, such as a stripping agent or water, to be removed. You will need to soak the paper and then manually scrape off the excess.

Light fastness

Light fastness measures how well you wallpaper retains its colour when exposed to sunlight. Over time, any wallpaper or material exposed to direct sunlight will fade, but light fastness helps determine which wallpapers will ensure longer un sunlit areas versus those better suited for shadier spaces.

The light fastness ratings are: moderate (half sun) and good (full sun). For walls that receive abundant natural light, such as those near windows, you should choose wallpaper with a good light fastness rating.

Pattern matches and hanging

Offset match: This type of wallpaper can be quite challenging to hang. An offset match design requires that every second strip be shifted or dropped by a specific distance to align correctly with the adjacent strip. Essentially, the pattern only aligns with the edge of the second strip when it is moved down by a predetermined amount. The most effective method for hanging offset match wallpaper is to cut and align the strips on a pasting table before applying paste and hanging them on the wall. This kind of wallpaper tends to produce the most waste.
Straight match: A straight match design is one where the patterns aligns horizontally across adjoining strips. The design on one strip will match exactly with the design on the next strip, continuing in a straight line left and right.
Free match: Free pattern repeats don’t follow a strict repeating structure and can be matched at any point making its application much easier than a wallpaper that has a set repeat.
Reverse alternate lengths: Reverse hanging is a technique commonly used with plain or lightly textured wallpaper. This method involves placing adjacent strips in alternating directions, meaning every other strip is hung in the opposite direction. This approach helps prevent shading issues that can occur with plain wallpaper. We have a few products that can be reverse hung, be sure to check the label before doing so.
Wallpaper can hung vertical or horizontal: Wallpaper can be hung either vertically or horizontally, depending on the design and desired effect. The choice between vertical and horizontal installation can significantly alter the appearance and feel of a room.

Understanding mural dimensions

Our murals come in a range of different dimensions, although the good news is that all of them are designed to be repeatable, so if the width of one mural isn’t enough to cover your wall further rolls can be purchased to extend the mural. The height of murals are as standard and can only be cut down to suit, they unfortunately can’t be made taller. Taking Alhambra from the Andalusia range as an example, please see below.

One roll of Alhambra Champagne contains six panels with a height of 300cm, each panel has a width of 53cm covering an overall mural width of 318cm. The roll size for this mural is 53cm x 18 metres.

The mural is repeatable by purchasing extra rolls.

Disclaimers and reporting a fault

It’s always important to inspect the first roll, on very rare occasion there may be faults or shading. If after hanging 2-3 lengths you notice a problem stop hanging immediately. No claims will be accepted for wallpaper hung in excess of three drops of wallpaper. Hanging costs cannot be reimbursed. In case of complaints please send photos of the defective paper and label to info@sketchtwenty3.com

Special care for glass beaded paper: Professional hanging is recommended. Please ensure the surface is clean, dry and even. It is highly recommended that the walls are lined. Recommended paste is a high quality, light ready mixed, pH neutral, solvent-free paste. There may be some loose beads due to transportation and handling, this should not be considered a flaw. Claims will not be accepted for loose beads. Check that no loose beads have reached the reverse of the paper. When smoothing use a soft felt roller or sponge.

If you need more technical information about any of our wallpapers, please feel free to contact us at design@sketchtwenty3.com. We’re here to assist you further with any questions you may have.