How to Install
1. Before you order
We recommend that you measure your project carefully, and add extra to your order just in case. Check out our measuring guide for support. Since we print on-demand, slight colour variations can happen if you need to order more.
Next, take into consideration the texture of your wall. Is it bumpy? Is it smooth? Please note, textured walls are not suitable for wallpaper application – head over to our guide on wall textures for more. Walls must be smooth for the best results.
If you have questions, please email us at [email protected] and we’d be happy to help you!
2. Know your pattern
Check the wallpaper pattern description for important design details. Knowing what kind of pattern repeat your wallpaper is may make a difference in how much you order – some patterns take one panel to repeat, others take two or more. This may or may not make a difference, depending on how you want to install it. If you have questions, please email us at [email protected] and we’d be happy to help you!
3. Prepare your surface
Inspect your project area for any bumps, holes or peeling paint. Rough patches (such as from dried spackle used to fill a hole) may show through the wallpaper – we recommend that you can sand down small areas like that, but you do not need to sand the whole wall. After you sand, make sure to wipe down the wall fully with water or a gentle cleaner and let it dry completely – otherwise the dust may interfere with the wallpaper’s ability to stick to the wall.
For best results, wall paint should be semi-gloss, eggshell or satin (preferably not matte), and is painted at least four weeks before you intend to install the wallpaper to allow for enough time for the paint to cure – otherwise when you remove the wallpaper, it may take up some of the paint with it
Once the project area is smooth and fully dry, wipe down the surface with 70% Isopropyl Alcohol. Always use extra focus on edges to ensure a strong seal. Wait 5 minutes for the surface to dry.
4. Gather your toolkit
You will need:
- X-acto knife
- Squeegee
- Level
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Step stool
- Scissors
- Painter’s tape
5. Remove switch plates
Before installation, remove electric covers for all switches and plugs. Make sure you turn off the power to the circuit first, at the breaker panel. You can use the cover to trace, then cut out the switch or plug – just be sure to cut inside the area you traced. Then when you re-install the plate, the edges will look tidy.
6. Check your panels
Wallpaper is best installed from left to right, starting in a corner. If you’ve ordered a mural, there will be numbers on the stickers that tell you the order they are in. If you’ve ordered multiple panels, the numbers on the stickers will start over again.
All our wallpapers are designed with a 1” overlap; to help with installation and avoid shifting, we recommend unrolling your paper and marking at 1” from the right hand side edge lightly with a pencil. If possible, we recommend laying the panels out on the floor before installing so you can see how the panels align with the 1” overlap.
Installation is easiest with two people! A second set of hands goes a long way.
7. Begin with the first panel
There is a tack-strip on the top of the panel that you can remove in order to align your panel. This makes it easier to test where the panel will be installed before removing the rest of the backing. Align your panel to the top of the wall, and gently press the exposed tacking strip part to the wall. This is a good time to step back and ensure things are aligned.
We recommend you to start your project in a corner. This will provide you with a straight line that will guide placement of the following panels. Also be aware, however, that rarely are walls perfectly straight; there will naturally need to be some slight adjusting to get the best results in your space.
8. Use the tacking strip to place on the wall
Once you’re satisfied with the placement, remove the backing above the tack strip and squeegee the film, working your way up from the tacking strip area.
Start in the middle of the panel. With firm, even strokes, and without lifting the squeegee, work in slow ‘s’ shapes out to the edge, and then back to the middle again. Repeat going across to the other edge.
A tip for removing the backing
Push up the wallpaper so that it creates an arc. Now pull away the corner of the backing until you have a few inches all the way across. This helps keep it from sticking to the wall before you’re ready.
9. Work your way down
Peel the backing in one foot increments while squeegeeing laterally, top to bottom. Let the wallpaper hang parallel to the wall as you go – don’t pull it out at a 90-degree angle towards you, or it could stretch the material!
Use the squeegee to smooth the vinyl as you go and to remove any bubbles that may appear. Try smoothing from the center of the panel to the edges.
Tip: Roll up the backing as you go
This will make it easier to handle as you move down the wall. We recommend having two people install; one, rolling up the paper backing slowly, and the other squeegeeing down the wall steadily.
9. Trim the excess
Use an X-acto knife and ruler to guide and trim off any excess paper. For best results, make sure your knife is sharp. Score the paper with light pressure, then run over it again increasing the pressure slightly until the piece is cut.
11. Align next panel & repeat
Once you have completed the panel, align the next panel and repeat the process. Our wallpapers are designed with an approximately 0.5” overlap. We recommend using a pencil to mark lightly 0.5” from the edge, and align the next panel using that.
12. Care
Here are some tips to maintain and take care of the vinyl:
- Use warm water to remove any stains
- If installed in a room with a lot of moisture, like a bathroom, ensure you are opening doors or vents frequently to allow the room to dry