Our traditional wallpapers are hand screen printed and are not pre-pasted. Please follow the instructions below to install them:
Step 1. Prep the wall
Before hanging, check that the wall surface is clean, dry, and smooth. If your wall surface isn't smooth, you'll need to either size the wall or apply a wallpaper liner which might require a primer layer as well. Please check wallpaper liner packaging instructions for details. Old wall coverings should be removed completely. Fill any holes and sand down any bumps. Remove electrical coverings. Wallpaper primer is also recommended for better installation and easier removal.
Step 2. Gather supplies
You'll need:
- Wallpaper
- Wallpaper paste*
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Drop cloth
- Sponge
- Bucket
- Straight edge
- Pencil
- Level
- Craft knife
- Paint roller and tray
- Smoothing tool
- Good music and a caffeinated beverage (optional, but recommended)
*We recommend a basic wallpaper paste for coated wallpaper, such as a heavy-duty clear vinyl adhesive. Do not “cut” the paste by adding additional water. We use Roman PRO-880.
Step 3. Mark your starting point
Measure the width of the wallpaper roll. All Hygge & West rolls are 27 inches wide. Starting from the corner of the wall farther away from an entry of line of sight, measure the width of the wallpaper minus one inch (26 inches) to allow for trim on the wall edge and mark with a pencil dot. Using a level, draw a straight vertical plumb line from the dot to line up the edge of the wallpaper against.
Step 4. Cut the wallpaper strips
Measure the height of the wall. Next, measure the wallpaper strip to equal the height of the wall plus 2 or 3 additional inches to allow for trim. Consider where you want the pattern to hit the top of the wall as well, as this might affect your choice in where you cut the first strip. Cut the next strips the same length, being sure to allow for pattern repeat and matching.
Step 5. Apply the paste
Our traditional wallpaper is non-pasted and should be installed using a traditional hanging method. Apply paste to your pre-cut strip by first applying it to the middle of the sheet then working it out to the edges. All of the paper should be pasted evenly along the full length and width of the sheet. The sheet should then be “booked,” by folding the top and bottom edges into the middle (pasted side to pasted side), making sure the side edges line up properly. Then roll up the folded wallpaper like a newspaper to ensure that the edges do not curl out and dry prematurely. It should remain like this for 3-5 minutes to allow the paste to be absorbed and the paper to expand and then relax back to its new normal. This will also keep the seams from opening up and drying out while the paper is relaxing.
Step 6. Hang the wallpaper
Line up the wallpaper with the plumb line (from Step 3), allowing for an inch on both the top, bottom and edge for trimming. Use a wallpaper brush or smoothing tool to gently work the paper on to the wall working from the top and middle, down and out.
Step 7. Trim the edges
Using a straightedge and craft knife, carefully trim the edges. It is important to keep the blade edge very sharp to minimize any risk of tearing the paper.
Step 8. Apply the next strips
Be sure to match the pattern on the wall at eye level and butt the seams tightly up against each other - do not overlap. Smooth out all air bubbles. Note: Our wallpaper is meant to be matched at eye level. That way any adjustments will be negated top and bottom. Most hand printed papers suggest that you allow 1/8" error in matching. We do much better but you must allow for this type of match when considering a hand printed paper.
Clean with warm water and a sponge, taking care to remove all the paste from the surface. Rinse thoroughly a second time with clean warm water. After hanging 2 strips, be sure to check for any defects and contact us if any defects are found.
Printable Instructions: Click here for downloadable instructions.
Note: Due to the ink used in printing, there may be a slight odor to the paper when it is first unwrapped. The inks and solvents have all been tested and are safe per OSHA standards. The odor will quickly dissipate during or after hanging. We recommend ventilating the room well after hanging both to speed drying and to allow the odor to dissipate more quickly.