Wallpaper GlossaryUpdated 2 months ago

Bolt: A bolt refers to an amount of wallpaper supplied in a package. A bolt is a continuous roll of wallpaper equal to a double roll of wallpaper (wallpaper is no longer sold in single rolls).  

The widths of rolls might vary, but most bolts will be sized:

20.5” wide x 33’ long (56 sq ft)

27” wide x 27’ long (60 sq ft)

Booking: The process of folding wet, pasted wallpaper - back to back, and paste to paste, like an accordion; then allowing it to sit for several minutes. This allows the paper to expand and relax before applying to the wall, making the paper more maneuverable and minimizing the risk of air bubbles and exposed seams.

The wallpaper strip is laid pattern side down, then the top and bottom edges are folded in to meet in the center. During this process the glue will be activated.

Border Spool: A wallpaper strip installed horizontally across a wall to define, or separate areas of decoration. Usually a border is installed along the top of the wall, where the sidewall meets the ceiling, or at chair rail height where one coordinating wallpaper meets another. A border spool is supplied in a single spool, usually 15-feet in length.

Color Way: Most wallpaper patterns are available in multiple color schemes. The color way is the particular color scheme of a pattern.

Crocking: In manufacturing darker pigmented designs, such as black, dark blue, and red, some color may come off.  During installation, the cloth or sponge may pick up some color, as well as, the water may turn a tint of the color of the paper.  This is known as crocking, and is expected of darker printed designs.  After this phenomenon occurs, the final appearance of the paper when dried will not change.

Cross Seaming: In some cases (such as wallpapering over paneling) a wallpaper liner will be installed horizontally. This will help prevent the seams of the underlying material to show through.

Double Roll: Also called a bolt of wallpaper. A double roll refers to an amount of wallpaper supplied in a package. Although prices are sometimes listed by the single roll, wallpaper is sold in double rolls.

The widths of rolls might vary, but most double rolls will be sized:

20.5” wide x 33’ long (56 sq ft)

27” wide x 27’ long (60 sq ft)

Dye Lot Number: Also known as the run number or batch number, the dye lot number is a sequential number assigned to each production run of wallpaper, ensuring an exact color match between multiple rolls. The dye-lot number is important to know if additional paper is needed to complete a project.

End Point: When hanging wallpaper on all walls of a room, the end point is the place where the last strip will meet the first strip. Usually this results in an uneven pattern match. The end point is best placed in the corner that will be behind you when you enter a room (for a bedroom this is usually behind the door).

Fabric Backed Vinyl: Wallpaper with a fabric backing making it highly durable. Commonly used for commercial applications where a high level of durability is needed.

Grasscloth: Most grasscloth wallpapers are hand-made of natural materials. Grasscloth gives the wall a natural texture. Grasscloth is best used in low traffic areas away from humidity.

Liner Paper: A thick vinyl wallcovering meant to be installed under a decorative wallpaper. Liners are available in a variety of weights and are used to help cover wood paneling, or smooth out damaged or textured surfaces.

Matching: The technique of joining two strips of wallpaper so that the pattern lines up properly.

Match Type: Refers to how the pattern repeats from strip to strip as the wallpaper is installed across the wall. Most wallpaper patterns repeat both vertically and horizontally, the horizontal pattern repeat is what needs to be matched as the wallpaper is hung. There are three types of matches:

Straight - the wallpaper pattern lines up horizontally in a straight across manner. When hung, every strip will be the same at the ceiling line.

Drop - the wallpaper pattern lines up diagonally, when hung the next strip must be offset from the previous strip (only every other strip is identical at the ceiling line).

Random (or free) - the pattern repeats indefinitely and the paper can be hung seam to seam.    

Mural: A large scale single motif (like a skyline or a bouquet of flowers). The mural is printed on several strips of wallpaper that are hung in a specific sequence to create a full image.

Paste-the-Wall: This method of hanging wallpaper involves applying paste directly to the wall instead of the wallpaper. This technique saves the steps of wetting a prepasted paper or rolling adhesive to a wallpaper strip. Paste-the-wall works best with unpasted paper.

Peel and Stick: Wallpaper that has a self-adhesive applied to the back, allowing for installation directly from the roll. Peel and stick works best on flat, smooth, and clean surfaces.

Pre-pasted: Pre-pasted wallpaper has a dried paste embedded on the back surface, and is activated with water or a pre-paste activator.

Pre-trimmed: Wallpaper that has the selvedge edges removed at the factory to make for easier installation.

Primer: Coating that protects and seals the wall in preparation for the installation of the wallpaper. The primer seals porous wall surfaces to prevent wallpaper paste from absorbing into the wall, and promotes an easier installation and better grip after the adhesive dries.

Repeat: The distance of the vertical recurrence of the wallpaper pattern. Patterns with no repeats will have little waste after installation, but larger designs might require more wallpaper as you’ll need to match the pattern from strip to strip.

Run Number: Also known as a dye-lot number, the run number is a sequential number assigned to each production run of wallpaper, ensuring an exact color match between multiple rolls. The run number is important to know if additional paper is needed to complete a project.

Sample: A small piece of wallpaper from a selected pattern. Samples are ordered by a customer to see a pattern before committing to an order. (The sample might not be from the same run number as the available wallpaper.)

Scoring: The process of perforating old wallpaper, so removal solution can penetrate the backing.

Scrubbable: Wallpaper that can be scrubbed with a sponge and a mild soap. Scrubbable wallpaper has a higher level of durability than washable wallpaper.

Single Roll: Equivalent to half a bolt, or double roll. Wallpaper is sold in double roll quantities, even if priced in single rolls.

Sizing: Wallcovering preparation that provides additional grip for wallpaper adherence, often used in conjunction with a wallcovering primer. Sealing the wall surface is an important procedure to allow for easier future removal. Sizing is a liquid that is painted on the wall surface.

Strippable: Strippable wallpapers can be dry stripped from the wall without leaving any backing on the wall. These are the easiest to remove wallpapers on the market.

Unpasted: Unpasted wallpaper requires a proper wallpaper adhesive be applied to the back of each strip prior to hanging on the wall.

Untrimmed: Wallpaper that has not had the selvedge edges removed at the factory. Trimming is done by the installer.

Wallpaper Sidewall: The term sidewall refers to wallpaper intended to be hung vertically, strip by strip. Wallpaper sidewall is supplied in bolts (or double rolls).

Washable: Wallpaper that can be lightly cleaned with a sponge or a damp cloth.