How to Fit Made-to-Measure Wallpaper
How to Fit Made-to-Measure Wallpaper
Got the panels ready?
Your wallpaper has been made to the wall you measured and arrives as coordinated, equal-width panels in the order they should be hung.
The fitting itself is straightforward: prepare the wall, lay the panels out first, paste the wall and work across one panel at a time.
Here’s how to get everything lined up cleanly.
Before you start
A little preparation makes the hanging much easier.
The wall should be clean, dry, sound and reasonably smooth. Fill and sand obvious holes or flaky areas and remove anything that could show through or stop the paper sitting properly.
Lay all the panels out on the floor in order before opening the paste.
This lets you see how the design moves across the wall and confirms where the first panel should begin.
Check the wall and the panel order first.
Each panel is made for the wall dimensions supplied and is slightly longer than needed so it can be trimmed neatly at the ceiling and skirting.
How to fit your wallpaper
Prepare the wall
Make sure the wall is clean, dry and reasonably smooth.
Fill and sand any obvious uneven areas and remove loose paint or anything that could stop the wallpaper sitting properly.
Good preparation now will make the panels much easier to hang cleanly.
Lay the panels out first
Before you open the paste, lay all the panels out on the floor in order.
This lets you see how the design flows across the wall and confirms where each panel belongs.
The panels arrive ready-trimmed to meet edge to edge, with a little extra length for trimming at the top and bottom.
Paste the wall, not the paper
Use a ready-mixed paste-the-wall adhesive.
Apply it directly to the wall, covering only enough area for the panel you’re about to hang.
Follow the adhesive manufacturer’s instructions.
Start straight
Hang the first panel against a plumb line or another reliable vertical straight edge.
Getting the first one true makes everything that follows much easier to position.
Smooth from top to bottom
Gently smooth the panel from top to bottom, removing any air bubbles or wrinkles as you go.
Avoid smoothing sideways. This can stretch the paper slightly and may leave a fine gap between panels as it dries.
Align edge to edge
Paste the wall for the next panel, then move it gently into position so the design lines up with the one already hanging.
Bring the edges together neatly.
Do not overlap the panels.
Trim neatly
Once the panel is sitting correctly, trim the small amount of extra length at the ceiling and skirting with a sharp blade and straight edge.
Work carefully so you don’t drag or damage the surface.
Made to the wall you measure
Your wallpaper is made from the measurements you give us, rather than supplied as standard rolls.
Measure the wall at its widest and highest points in centimetres.
After you order, we’ll send a proof showing how the design sits across those dimensions.
Production starts once you’ve approved it.
If you’re covering more than one wall, measure and add each wall separately.
More than one wall?
Not every room is one simple rectangle.
If you’re covering more than one wall, measure each wall separately rather than treating the whole room as one continuous measurement.
Measure each wall
Take the width and height of each wall separately.
Use the widest points
Measure across the widest part of the wall and use the greatest height.
Add each wall separately
Enter each measured wall separately when ordering rather than combining them into one size.
Check your proof
Your proof shows how the design will sit across the dimensions supplied. Check it carefully before approving production.
A few things worth checking before you hang it
Is the wall dry?
Fresh plaster, filler or paint should be fully dry before the wallpaper is hung.
Do I need to lay the panels out first?
Yes. Keep them in order and check the design flow before applying paste.
Do I paste the wall or the wallpaper?
Paste the wall. Apply adhesive only to the area needed for the next panel.
Should the panels overlap?
No. The panels should meet edge to edge.
Why does the first panel need to be straight?
Every following panel is aligned from the first one, so starting against a true vertical line helps keep the whole design straight.
Once it’s up
Once all the panels are in place, let the wallpaper dry naturally at normal room temperature.
Avoid strong heat or excessive draughts while it dries. Drying too quickly can affect the joins.
If any paste gets onto the face of the wallpaper while you’re fitting it, remove it promptly and gently with a damp sponge.
Made-to-measure wallpaper questions, answered
What is made-to-measure wallpaper?
Made-to-measure wallpaper is produced for the dimensions of your wall rather than supplied as standard rolls. FTF&M wallpaper arrives as coordinated panels sized from the measurements supplied with the order.
How do I measure for made-to-measure wallpaper?
Measure the wall at its widest and highest points in centimetres. Use those maximum measurements when ordering. If you have more than one wall, measure each wall separately.
Do I paste the wall or the wallpaper?
Yes — paste the wall. Apply a suitable ready-mixed paste-the-wall adhesive directly to the wall and work one panel at a time.
Do the wallpaper panels overlap?
No. They are supplied ready-trimmed to meet edge to edge. Position each panel so the design aligns with the previous one.
Do I need to trim the wallpaper?
Yes. The panels are supplied slightly longer than required so the small amount of excess can be trimmed neatly at the ceiling and skirting during fitting.
Can I fit the wallpaper myself?
The fitting method is straightforward if you are comfortable preparing a wall, working to a straight starting line and hanging paste-the-wall wallpaper. If you’d rather hand it over, the same instructions can be given to your decorator.
Do I get a proof before the wallpaper is made?
Yes. After you order, a proof is sent showing how the design will sit across the wall. Production begins after the proof is approved.
Still at the measuring stage?
That’s the best time to check the wall carefully.
Measure the widest and highest points in centimetres, and measure each wall separately if you’re covering more than one.
Once you’ve chosen the design and entered the dimensions, we’ll show you how it will sit across the wall before production begins.