Paper-backed wallpaper
Traditional paper-backed wallpapers are commonly hung using the paste-the-paper method. Adhesive is applied to the back of the cut length and the paper may require a specified soaking or booking time before hanging.
Wallpaper Hanging Guide
How to Hang Paste-the-Wall Wallpaper
Paste-the-wall wallpaper is commonly associated with non-woven backings and is designed to be hung by applying adhesive directly to the prepared wall, then positioning the wallpaper dry.
This guide explains the difference between traditional paper-backed and non-woven wallpapers, how to prepare for a paste-the-wall installation and the basic hanging method. Always check the roll label or current manufacturer’s instructions first: the specified hanging method and adhesive for the individual wallcovering take priority.
Paper-Backed vs Non-Woven Wallpaper
The backing construction usually determines how a wallpaper should be pasted, although the manufacturer’s hanging instructions are always the final reference.
Non-woven wallpaper
Many non-woven wallpapers are designed for the paste-the-wall method. The adhesive is applied to the wall and the dry strip is positioned directly onto it, avoiding the traditional soaking stage.
Check the label rather than guessing from appearance. Not every wallpaper that looks like a non-woven product should automatically be hung paste-the-wall, and product-specific instructions can vary.
For supporting demonstrations, see:
Preparation: Walls, Tools & Adhesive
Paste-the-wall wallpaper removes the need to paste and soak individual lengths, but it does not remove the need for careful preparation.
Prepare the wall
Fill cracks, sand rough areas and make sure the surface is dry, clean and sound.
Confirm the adhesive
Use the paste specified by the wallcovering manufacturer, especially for specialist products.
Check rolls & pattern
Confirm batch details, pattern repeat and hanging direction before cutting.
Specialist products such as grasscloth wallpaper, textile wallcoverings, heavy vinyls and other high-value materials often benefit from installation by an experienced professional decorator.
Starting position still matters. Before applying paste, decide where the first drop should sit and how the pattern will fall around windows, doors and focal features. See our Where to Start Wallpapering guide.
How to Hang Paste-the-Wall Wallpaper
Mark a vertical guideline
From your planned starting position, use a spirit level or plumb line to establish a true vertical guide. The first drop must be straight because it establishes the alignment for the lengths that follow.
Step 1 · establish a straight first drop
Apply adhesive directly to the wall
Apply the specified adhesive evenly to the area for the first drop. A roller can be useful over the main area, with a brush used where greater control is needed around ceilings, skirtings and corners.
Paste a little beyond the width of the strip so the edge of the next length does not land on a dry area. Avoid coating a very large section of wall so far in advance that the adhesive begins to dry before the wallpaper reaches it.
Step 2 · paste the wall
Check coverage at edges and corners
Dry patches near the ceiling, skirting, corners, sockets or window reveals can lead to lifting edges. Use a brush where necessary to make sure the adhesive reaches the full area behind the wallpaper.
Step 3 · check edge coverage
Hang the dry wallpaper strip
Cut the first length with the trimming allowance required for the room and wallcovering. Offer the dry strip to the pasted wall, align it with the vertical guide and smooth it from the centre outwards.
Form a clean crease at the ceiling and skirting before trimming with a sharp blade or other appropriate cutting method.
Step 4 · hang the dry strip
Paste the next section and match the pattern
Apply adhesive for the next length, overlapping slightly into the previous pasted area so there is no dry strip beneath the joint. Butt the new length neatly to the previous edge and align the pattern without overlapping the paper.
Remove any adhesive from the face of the wallcovering immediately using the cleaning method permitted by the manufacturer. Delicate, metallic and specialist finishes can be particularly sensitive to paste marks.
What Paste Should You Use for Paste-the-Wall Wallpaper?
Many non-woven wallpapers are installed with a suitable ready-mixed adhesive, but there is no single paste that should automatically be used for every paste-the-wall product.
- Check the roll label or technical hanging sheet.
- Use the manufacturer’s specified or approved adhesive where one is given.
- Do not substitute a generic paste for a specialist adhesive without checking compatibility.
- Pay particular attention with grasscloth, sisal, textiles, metallic surfaces and other high-value wallcoverings.
For a broader explanation of all-purpose, heavy-duty, ready-mixed and other adhesive types, see our Choosing Wallpaper Paste guide.
When to Use a Professional Decorator
Paste-the-wall wallpaper can be convenient to install, but the hanging method does not make every wallcovering or room a simple DIY project.
- Rooms with chimney breasts, alcoves, staircases or numerous obstacles.
- Expensive designer or luxury wallpapers where mistakes would be costly.
- Natural fibre, textile, 3D or other specialist wallcoverings.
- Large-scale patterns or murals where alignment is particularly important.
- Walls requiring significant preparation before hanging.
TM Interiors recommends checking the supplied hanging instructions before installation. For specialist wallcoverings, an experienced paper hanger can also confirm preparation, adhesive and handling requirements before the first length is cut.
Paste-the-Wall Wallpaper FAQs
Is all non-woven wallpaper paste-the-wall?
Many non-woven wallpapers are designed for paste-the-wall installation, but the individual product instructions should always be checked before hanging.
Do I need to soak paste-the-wall wallpaper?
Normally no: the wallpaper is hung dry onto the pasted wall. Follow any product-specific instructions supplied by the manufacturer.
Can I use ordinary wallpaper paste for paste-the-wall wallpaper?
Only if it is suitable for the particular wallcovering. Use the adhesive specified on the roll label or technical sheet rather than assuming any general-purpose paste will be compatible.
How much of the wall should I paste at one time?
Work in manageable sections: paste the full area required for the next strip and slightly beyond its edge, but avoid covering so much wall that the adhesive starts drying before the wallpaper is positioned.
What is the main difference between paste-the-wall and paste-the-paper?
Paste-the-wall products are hung dry onto adhesive applied to the wall. Traditional paste-the-paper products have adhesive applied to the wallpaper itself and may require a specified soaking or booking period before hanging.
Check the hanging method before you cut the first length
Browse designer wallpaper, order samples and confirm the manufacturer’s preparation and adhesive instructions before installation begins.
