Mixing the paste or adhesive
Mix your paste in a bucket according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Follow these instructions carefully, as they will vary according to the type of paper you are hanging.
Alternatively use a ready-mixed paste suited to the paper you are hanging.
You will need a large pasting brush to apply this with.
Tie a piece of string across the handles of the bucket to provide a resting place for your pasting brush, rather than leaving it in the bucket. Or, buy one of the brushes with a hook on the handle for clipping it to the rim of a bucket.
Cutting the paper
Measure the length of the first ‘drop’ of paper. Add three or four inches to this to allow for trimming both ends. Unroll the paper on the paste table and cut the first piece to length. Some people find it easier to measure the paper by unrolling it down the wall and marking the required length. For large patterns, you may wish to take into account how it will look at the top when trimmed. It may look best to fit a whole ‘repeat’ of the pattern just below the top, rather than have the design cut off midstream.
Wallpaper pattern matching
With this first piece face up on the table, unroll a second piece next to it, carefully aligning the pattern before cutting it to length.
Some people prefer to cut several lengths before they start work, but you need to be quite sure not to make any mistakes when doing this. If you are a beginner, just cut the first piece and leave cutting the next until you have finished hanging the first. You can then hold the roll next to the first ‘drop’ on the wall when matching and cutting the second length.
Wallpaper pattern repeat
Depending upon the pattern you have on your paper, it may reduce wastage to cut lengths from alternate rolls.
Pasting the paper
Lay the first length of paper on your table face down.
Line up the far edge and one end of the paper with the far edge and one end of the table.
Then, move it slightly so it overlaps the table edge by a couple of millimetres (this will ensure that no paste gets onto the surface of the table to mark future pieces of paper).
Load your brush and apply the paste along the centre of the piece of paper.
Next, paste the far side working outwards in a crisscrossed fashion from the centre.
Slide the paper towards you so that it overhangs the near side of the table in the same way as before. Repeat the pasting process for this side.
You can paste up using a roller, but only work it in one direction otherwise you’ll find the paper being rolled up with it.
Folding the pasted wallpaper
Finally, check that there are no gaps or dry areas. Fold over the end at which you started, towards the other end of the table, stopping short of the unpasted section. This will prevent the paste from drying out and will allow you to continue pasting the rest of the length. Do not fold it down hard as this will crease the paper. Make sure the folded edges line up so that no area of pasted paper is left exposed. A tip here is to look at the end of the table as you fold the paper, rather than the paper in your hand. Move the paper along so that you are able to paste the rest of it.
Repeat the pasting process as before, overlapping the table slightly. Paste the centre first, then the far side. Move the paper towards you, then paste the near side.
Finally, lift the last end of the paper and fold it towards the first end.
Allowing the paper to soak
This should now be left to soak according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Depending on how long this is, you may wish to apply paste to a second piece before hanging the first, but be sure to allow each piece to soak for the same length of time.
Soaking is important as it allows the paper to become pliable. It also swells. Failing to soak the paper for the right length of time will cause problems.