Wallpaper: Did you know that every wallpaper have their own symbols?
There are international performance symbols that often appear in wallpaper books and on product labels.
Sometimes the definition for the symbol appear alongside it and other times not.
This chart will be useful during the selection process.
PATTERN MATCHING
Most wallpapers have a pattern repeat.
The repeat is the vertical distance between a specific point on the pattern to the identical point vertically.
Free Match are the simplest to hang as there is no pattern matching required when hanging wallpaper.
Straight Match refers to the same patterns being matched at the same height.
It is where the left and the right edges of the wallpaper strip match in a straight horizontal line with the left and the right edges of the next strip of wallpaper.
Half Drop patterns repeats across the roll half way down the vertical repeat.
This normally means allowing for extra length and cutting very carefully as each cut will start at the half repeat.
To ensure you buy enough wallpaper, calculate as if it were an ordinary repeat and add half a repeat to each drop, except for the first one.
Reverse Hang is a technique for wallpaper installers to hang paper where each strip is alternatively hung ‘right side up’ and ‘upside down’ in papers with a random match.
This is used to avoid or lessen the effects of shading variations.
METHODS OF APPLICATION
There are 3 types of methods of applying or activating the paste of a wallpaper.
These are indicated by the following symbols:
Paste the Wallpaper
Paste is applied to the reverse side of the wallpaper.
When using the Paste-the-Wallpaper, the paste is applied to the reverse side of the wallpaper before hanging.
This method requires a process called “booking” which is a way to activate the paste allowing the paper to rest before hanging.
Paste the Wall
When using Paste-the-Wall, the paste is applied directly to the wall before hanging each strip of wallpaper. It is quick and easy to apply to your walls.
No fuss, no mess, simply apply your paste to the wall then add the wallpaper.
No need to pre soak this type of wallpaper because of the special backing that will not expand when wet.
Pre-Pasted
The reverse side of the wallpaper is pre-coated with paste which is activated by dipping the wallpaper into a tray of water.
The paper also requires the “booking” process after the paper has been soaked.
METHODS OF REMOVAL
There are 3 methods to remove wallpaper:
Strippable wallpapers can be removed from the wall without the use of water and soap stripped from the wall without leaving any residue behind.
These are the most removable papers in the market and usually are printed on a Non-Woven substrate.
Peelable wallpapers can be partly removed without using water.
The top layer of wallpaper will peel off the wall, leaving a backing behind. The bottom layer can be easily removed with soap and water mixture.
Wet Removable this symbol means you can only remove the wallpaper by wetting it. Ideally with warm, soapy water or liquid wallpaper stripper.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
In addition, each wallpaper has its own care instructions based on one of standard care symbols listed below.
Spongeable is referring to wallcoverings of which fresh spots of paste/adhesive can be wiped off the face of the paper with a damp soft cloth or sponge during the time of installation, providing it is done while the adhesive is damp.
Washable light stains can be removed by using a damp sponge & soapy water from a finished installed wallcovering.
Bare in mind, oil, fats and solvent based stains are not expected to be removable.
Extra-Washable dirt and most domestic water-based stain may be carefully cleaned from the face of the wallpaper with a wet cloth and soapy water.
Some greasy stains may be removed if action is taken immediately.
Scrubbable this symbol means the wallpaper is very durable and can be scrubbed clean dirt and most domestic water-based stains can be cleaned from the face by using a sponge or soft brush & mild detergent.
Oils, fats and certain solvent-based stains may be also be removed if cleaned immediately.
LIGHT EXPOSURE (COLOR FASTNESS)
If the room you are papering has full sun for any part of the day, the next symbols indicate the paper’s resistant to fading:
Good color fastness (resistant to fading in daylight)
Moderate color fastness
Now we already know what are those symbols. Let’s get started.
The best place to get all of your needs in Wallcovering & Fabrics is Wallpaper & Carpets Distributors (WCD).
It is located at Lot 1509, Batu 8, Jalan Klang Lama, Taman Desaria, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
WCD is currently Malaysia’s No. 1 Wallpaper & Carpet Distributor for Korean, European, Luxury and Asian Wallpapers.
WCD offers over 10,000 designs across 450 collections of Wallcoverings.
The Wallcoverings vary from Paper Baked, Fabric Backed and Non Woven Backing which are suitable for offices, condominiums, apartments, hospitals, homes, banks, hotels and resorts.
WCD offers a vast range or Fabrics used for curtains and upholstery.
With over 50 collections, WCD also sells Sheers, Laces, Blackout Fabrics as well as Dim Out Fabrics that is suitable for homes, hospital and offices. Along with this, WCD sells Curtain Accessories like Tussels, Fringes, Metal Rods and others.
WCD, established in 1995, has since gained a reputation as one of Malaysia’s leading distributor of top brands of Wallcoverings.
It currently supplies to thousands of dealers all over Malaysia (inclusive of Sabah & Sarawak), Brunei, Vietnam, Mauritius and Singapore.
In addition, WCD also offers flooring materials such as Vinyl Sheets, Vinyl Planks, Vinyl Tiles, Carpet Tiles and many more.
With over 8 different Product Lines, over 15,000 designs, 500+ collections, WCD’s mission is to become the Number One Solution to Walls, Windows & Floors.
