wallcoverings for the ultimate in refinement

Tips & tricks

Wallcoverings
- Always check that the rolls have the same batch number and check the rolls for defects. If rolls with a
different manufacturing number are mixed up together, you may end up with colour inconsistencies. In
some cases, we even recommend not using rolls from different boxes on the same area.
- When using a yardage product, the lengths must be cut and applied in succession. Different rolls of
wallcovering when cut off (even if they have the same batch number) should not be mixed on the same
wall.
- Always follow the instructions that come with the wallcovering you have purchased. Remember that
even within the same collection, these instructions may vary from reference to reference.
- Seams will be less visible if you wallcovering from the main light source to the most important
direction of view. Even taking a break when working on a wall may lead to visible seams.
Surface
- Rust spots, grease, tar, pens, old synthetic or alcohol adhesives may show through the wallcovering. It is
essential to clean, remove or isolate them.
- A perpendicular line drawn with a pencil that was too soft or the chalk line may also show up in the
seam.
- If existing wallcovering cannot be removed from the wall, there is just one option left: carefully sand
all uneven spots and seams smooth, so that they will not show through the new wallcovering later. Make
sure that all loose parts and dust are removed.
- A porous or granular wall surface may absorb so much adhesive that it will not adhere properly.
Pre-paste walls like this beforehand with a slightly diluted adhesive (preparation ratios for pre-pasting
adhesives) and allow the wall to dry for at least a day. This will make the wall less absorbent. Gypsum
boards, chipboard and stucco must always be treated this way.
- An uneven surface may show through a thin and/or light coloured wallcovering. An even non-woven
lining (such as Teqno or Patent Vlies) may provide a solution. If the surface is painted in different shades,
chalky (cheap) masonry paint may solve the problem. Follow the paint manufacturers instructions
strictly, because not all types of paint and varnish are compatible.
- Pay enough attention to the surface. Satin glossy, even wallcovering in particular will show every
defect in the surface. In extreme cases, adhesive that has not dissolved fully can cause irregularities that
are visible in oblique light, so please be careful with wall lighting and spots.
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wallcoverings for the ultimate in refinement

- The cause of problems with damp must be known and solved before you can begin work.
- Dimensional stability is both an advantage and disadvantage in wallcovering. Large irregularities
(bumps or hollows) may be to blame for joints not fitting together seamlessly.
- Apply diluted wallcovering adhesive to places where the wall has been retouched one day before wall
papering. This will prevent the wallcovering from coming loose at these places.
- By using fillets (such as Profilo) at outer corners that are not completely straight (which is often the
case), you can avoid a seam that does not fit neatly with the next length. These fillets can usually be
painted over.
- Avoid droughts when wallpapering.
Adhesive
- For non-woven wallcoverings, use CLEARPRO adhesive from Arte.
- Powder adhesive must always be dissolved properly and free of lumps.
- Always follow the measurements stated on the packaging.
- The adhesive must always be spread evenly on the wall (or material). Oblique light can be a great help.
Pre-pasting walls to deal with irregular or excess absorption is not much effort when you consider the
extra work that cutting corners at this stage could cause later.
- Always brush/roll the wallcovering with vertical movements. Brushing it in a horizontal direction may
lead to the covering shifting or becoming broader. This may also move too much adhesive to the sides of
the length, resulting in adhesive stains or bulges.
Adhesive stains
- Adhesive stains must be removed as quickly as possible. The amount of water used to do this depends
on the top layer and water sensitivity of the wallpaper. Never remove dry adhesive stains.
- Adhesive stains on non-woven wallpapers can be washed off. With some collections, you must be
careful that the fabric does not roughen up or fray. This occurs when adhesive stains are too dry
and are removed too vigorously. Make the sponge wet enough and dry it carefully afterwards with a
microfiber cloth.
- Some references are practically unwashable, so that it is impossible to remove adhesive or other stains
without leaving a mark. When pressing on the seams in delicate wallpapers, you can use an absorbent
tissue paper or kitchen roll that can absorb excess adhesive directly at the seams.
Soaking time
- When working with dimensionally stable wallcoverings (paper or paper backed) you must always
respect the correct soaking time. This type of wallcovering expands when it is moist and shrinks during
the drying process. The strength of the adhesive and the condition of the surface must be good enough
to deal with this drying out tension.
- The soaking time is usually stated on the papering instructions.
- If the soaking time is not stated on the instructions, you can check how long it is. Paste a strip (or wet
it) and then see how long it takes to reach its maximum breadth.
- If it is soaked for too long, the edges (even if you have folded the length after pasting) will already be
drying and may even stick to each other.
- If the strip is not soaked for long enough, it will continue to expand on the wall and bubbles may
form. Lengths that are not soaked for long enough or for the same length of time may also prevent the
seams from fitting neatly together.

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wallcoverings for the ultimate in refinement

Hanging
- Complete each wall in succession. This prevents both seams and colour or structure inconsistencies
that may occur if, for example, the parts above windows and doors are papered later.
- Always cut wallcoverings at a recessed angle, but fold it over if there is a salient angle. Measure out the
plumb line again after each angle.
- Place large patterns in the wallcovering together in an unobtrusive corner.
- Begin wallpapering where the light enters, preferably as close as possible to the window. This reduces
the risk of visible seams caused by the incidence of light.
- Newly hung, damp wallcoverings are vulnerable. Wait with finishing and hanging decorations until
they are completely dry.
Use of materials
- Using the wrong materials to brush wallcovering can cause problems. With very fragile coverings, it
is better to use the rubber roller rather than a spatula.You will also need to take the necessary caution
when using a seam roller. The wrong seam roller (for example, a hard, bent and embossed seam roller)
may make imprints on the wallcovering or even on the surface.
- It is best to choose a smooth seam roller. A barrel shaped seam roller will always press the adhesive
away from the seam, while that is the place that requires the most adhesive to absorb shrinkage.
Sometimes, we would even recommend using a rubber seam roller.
Open seams
- Open seams may have various causes. They are often caused by a poor surface, such as poorly adhering
layers of paint plaster or lining paper. This can even lead to wallcovering coming loose months after it
was hung.
- A non-permeable surface, especially in combination with vinyl wall paper causes the adhesive to stay
wet for too long so that it is impossible for permanent adhesion with the surface to occur.
- Heating a room too soon after hanging (heaters, open hearths) but also halogen lamps placed too close
to a newly papered wall, can also cause too much shrinkage (especially with paper-backed vinyl).
- Open seams may also be caused by not having enough adhesive at the seams and adhesive that is not
strong enough.

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