Working with textured walls? See our blog post here.

Ensure your wall is the perfect foundation: clean, dry, and as smooth as possible.

To clean your walls: remove dust and loose debris using a vacuum or dry microfiber cloth. Next, wash the wall with a mixture of mild dish soap and warm water, followed by a quick wipe-down with 70% rubbing alcohol to remove oils.

Remove old coverings, fill holes, and sand medium-high texture. If needed, apply a wallpaper liner and primer for a flawless finish. Wallpaper loves painted surfaces, or walls primed with wallpaper specific primer. Paint and primer with eggshell, semigloss, or gloss enamels work best. Consider using Shieldz Universal Wallcovering Primer for better installation and removal results. Please note: we do not recommend installing wallpaper on raw or unfinished drywall.

Remember, don't apply to freshly painted or primed walls—let paint or primer dry for at least 4 weeks, or in accordance with the paint or primer cure time specified on the product itself.

Assemble your arsenal for success: wallpaper, measuring tape, scissors, drop cloth, straightedge, pencil, level, craft knife with extra blades, wallpaper tray OR clean paint roller and tray, smoothing tool (like a squeegee with a felt edge), step ladder, apron or clothing with pockets.

See the installation video above!

Check out this resource on how to avoid visible seams.

Note: Our paper is pre-trimmed and the seams are butt joined

Carefully inspect each roll for defects before starting. Measure the height of the wall and cut the first wallpaper strip accordingly. Before continuing to cut strips, line the next panel up to the previous one, then cut the remaining strips according to the height of the wall, considering the pattern repeat.

Considering your pattern repeat: Most of our designs have a 12”, 24” or 48” pattern repeat. The pattern repeat will be listed on your wallpaper’s label. The pattern repeat is the vertical distance between one point in a wallpaper pattern and where that same point reappears again further down the roll. Locate your pattern’s specific repeat on the label at the bottom of the roll. A note regarding 48” pattern repeats: If your wallpaper has a 48” pattern, you'll need two rolls to see the full pattern. Each of your rolls will be labeled “Roll A” or “Roll B”. You’ll want to alternate between the two in order for the pattern to repeat correctly. 

A note on seams: Seams are a part of wallpaper, especially with darker or higher contrast designs. However, there are some steps you can take to minimize their appearance prior to putting your paper on the walls. See our blog post here for some tips and tricks. Optional: Using an appropriately colored crayon or charcoal to gently color the edges of the wallpaper roll before it is hung on the wall can help blend edges between panels. 

Measure the width of the wallpaper roll and mark a guide, using a plumb line to create a vertical guideline. Position it an inch from the corner, allowing an inch for trimming. Ensuring the first panel is completely level and straight is key to the final look and pattern alignment.

Submerge the rolled wallpaper in water, ideally in a wallpaper tray, for 10 to 15 seconds to activate the adhesive. Slowly pull the leading edge out of the tray, glue-side up.A spray bottle or a clean paint roller will also work to activate the paste, though you’ll want to be extra careful to get the entire back of the paper, and all corners and edges fully wet to avoid adhesion issues.

Lay the wallpaper on the floor glue-side up, fold the glue side against itself for about a minute (avoid creasing). Think of it like folding up a newspaper. Ensure consistent soaking and booking time for each panel, about 5-7 minutes.

Unfold the top half of the wallpaper, leaving the bottom half booked. Position the glue-exposed portion at the top of the wall, aligning with the plumb line you drew in Step 5. Leave room for trimming along the top and bottom of the wall. Use a smoothing tool to gently adhere the first strip to the wall from top to bottom and middle to edges.

Carefully trim excess wallpaper using a straightedge and craft knife. Ensure a sharp blade to avoid tearing.

Match patterns and butt seams tightly together without overlapping. Smooth out air bubbles, wipe with warm water and a sponge, and inspect for defects after hanging two strips. Repeat Step 9 once all of your strips are hung!

Maintain your wallpapered space by wiping off any shiny marks with a damp, soft cloth. Our wallpapers are washable with mild detergent and a damp sponge. Keep in mind that while suitable for many areas, high-humidity spaces may require extra care and attention.

Questions? Please reach out to our team at 479-315-0104 or via email info@paintedpaper.com