Hanging Wallpaper & Care

All Flat Vernacular wallpapers should be installed by a professional, experienced paperhanger. Trust us, you will not be sorry. We recommend using the Wallcovering Installers Association for a referral in your area!

View our full wallpaper hanging & care instructions here.

Before hanging your Flat Vernacular wallpaper:

We inspect all rolls before shipping, however the final inspection is the responsibility of the client. Please inspect all rolls to ensure they are undamaged, and that the colors are from the same dye lot. The dye lot is indicated as a number marked at the very beginning of the roll. Flat Vernacular assumes no liability once the wallpaper is cut or pasted.

Any damages or issues must be brought to our attention within 10 days of delivery.

Please note that due to the nature of hand printing minor imperfections may occur, and cannot be considered defects.

Preparing your walls:

Walls must be clean, smooth, and void of any mildew, dust, grease, oil, stain, blood, sweat, and/or tears.

Always use a stain blocking primer designed for wallpaper.

Liner paper is never a bad idea to use, but it’s also not totally necessary. It helps keep everything smooth, and adds a layer of protection to your walls.

Always use the highest quality professional grade paste available. Gardner Gibson Dynamite 234 is the best we have found. 

Hanging your Flat Vernacular wallpaper:

Before trimming and cutting lengths, ensure that you know the repeats and match. Never cut strips exactly to the height of the wall, allow at least 4 inches for trimming and adjusting along ceilings and baseboards.

Special care must always be taken when hanging mylar and foil ground papers. These papers can be scratched and creased by hard edged, and non-pliable tools. Scratches and creases are permanent once the damage has been done. When hanging these types of papers wrap tools in a soft clean cloth to avoid this mistake.

Avoid repositioning of mylar, foil, and vinyl coated papers, doing so can yield undesirable results, such as denting or bubbling. These papers should be table trimmed rather than double cut. It is a good idea to paste the walls rather than the paper when hanging these types of wall coverings.

Extra care must also be taken when hanging papers printed with metallic inks. Excessive rubbing, and water can cause the metallic powder in the ink to loosen. Soft, dry tools should be used when hanging these papers.

Apply an even coat of paste to the backside of the wallpaper, make sure it is smooth and consistent by brushing or rolling the paste out all the way to the edges. Do not allow paste to touch the front of the paper: it can stain or discolor your paper. Fold the paper in on itself ensuring that you do not crease the paper, and aligning the edges to keep the paste off of the front. Allow the paper to soak for a few minutes until it becomes pliable and easy to work with.

Should paste get on the front of the wallpaper, sponge off excess paste immediately whilst it is still wet. Do not allow paste to dry on the front of the wallpaper.

Apply your paper to the wall and use a clean soft brush or felt roller to smooth it out. Carefully smooth air pockets and wrinkles. Always work from the center outward to the edges.

If using a seam roller use extra care not to dent the edges of the paper. Edges should always butt against one another, never laying on top one another.

When butting seams, remember that the paper will shrink slightly once dry. A small gap can become a noticeable seam after it dries.

Trim excess, send us photos, and enjoy!