Spoonflower Non-Pasted Traditional Pebble Wallpaper is a Type II, PVC-free paper face with a textile scrim backing, intended for durable, colorful, creative wall decorations that last with scrub- and scratch-resistant performance. Pebble Wallpaper is a permanent solution and is not intended for temporary wall applications on melamine, gator board, foam core, or other composite boards.
Pebble Wallpaper is a vinyl-like wallpaper requiring installation techniques suitable for a non-PVC paper-based substrate. A high-solid paste like clay is recommended as it limits the amount of moisture that can be absorbed into the paper and reduces booking time. Clear paste is usable but will require a longer booking time. A copy of our full Technical Specifications & Installation Guide can be downloaded at the bottom of this article. Professional installation is highly recommended. You may consider locating a member of the Wallcovering Installers Association (WIA) in your area for installation.
Preparation
Supplies
Primer:
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Roman PRO-977 Ultra Primer—two coats, allow each to dry overnight
- Roman PRO-935 (R-35) Adhesion Promoting Primer
Note: If using Roman adhesive products on existing wall, first seal with one coat of Roman PRO-999 (Rx-35) Primer for Porous Surfaces before priming, and allow to dry overnight.
Paste:
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Roman PRO-774 Clay Strippable Adhesive
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Roman PRO-732 Extra Strength Clay Adhesive
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*Roman PRO-880 Ultra Clear Adhesive
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*Roman PRO-838 Heavy Duty Clear Adhesive
*Note: Clear paste will require a longer booking time. Clay is recommended when possible.
Other Supplies:
- 3/8 in or 3/4 in knap rollers
- Soft plastic smoother and/or brush smoother
- Steel putty knife
- Olfa rotary cutter, box-style cutter, or similar
- Seam roller
- Non-abrasive soft cellulose sponge
- Other: drop cloths, buckets, pasting machine, paint trays, plastic bags for booking, table, etc.
Wall Preparation
Allow the wallpaper and adhesive to acclimate under clean, dry, and protected conditions between 65° F to 75° F (18° C to 24° C) and 40–60% RH until the supplies adjust to the environment. Inspect all materials prior to installation for the following: print scale and size of panels are correct, color matching of panels is acceptable, print surface is free from defects, and edges have enough space for overlap, trimming, and cutting.
Do not crease the material prior to or during installation, as creases may not disappear.
Make sure the walls are smooth, clean, dry, and free of mold, mildew, grease, or other stains. On new walls, drywall joints should be taped, mudded, and sanded smooth. Remove any nail heads, nicks, gouges, and other surface imperfections. For best results, old wallcoverings must be removed, and residual moisture content of the wall should be < 4%.
Pre-condition porous surfaces before wallpaper installation. Non-porous surfaces do not require priming. We recommend Metylan Ovalit VB paste for installation on non-porous walls. Follow primer recommendations provided above in the "Supplies" section. Recommendations are based on installation on a gypsum drywall sheetrock surface. Allow adequate drying time before applying paste and wallpaper.
Installation
Book the Wallpaper
Optimum installation conditions are between 65° F and 75° F (18° C to 24° C) and 40–60% RH. For higher temperatures and relative humidities, allow more time for sizing primer and paste coats to dry. Lay out the area to be covered as appropriate for the wallpaper to be hung. Double check the pattern and color to ensure they are correct.
Wet the back of the paper with a sponge prior to applying paste. It is important to wet the back of the paper with a sponge prior to applying paste as this prevents the paste from absorbing into the paper and allows for better adherence to the wall.
Apply an even coat of adhesive to the backing of the wallpaper using a brush, roller, or pasting machine. Do not over-apply paste as minor bubbling may occur. Paste-the-wall is not a recommended application. Once the adhesive is applied, book the paper based on the recommendations below:
- Book the strips for a minimum of 5-10 minutes if using a clay-based paste.
- Book for 20-30 minutes if using a clear-based paste. Place paper in plastic bags to prevent paste dry-out.
Install the Wallpaper
Install wallpaper with a plastic wallpaper smoother, working out air pockets or bubbles. Stop the installation if there is a question of panel color matching and contact Spoonflower. Remove excess paste immediately with clean water and a soft cellulose sponge. Use the soft side of the sponge if there is an abrasive side. It will be difficult to remove paste after it starts to dry. Overlap panels as needed for design match and double-cutting method. Expanding and shrinking is not an issue.
After the adhesive has begun to set (approximately 20–30 minutes), roll the seams lightly with a seam roller as necessary. Avoid excessive pressure when rolling the seams to avoid squeezing out paste. Keep in mind that although the paste will seem fully dried after approximately 24–48 hours, it may take 1–2 weeks for it to finally settle. Trim panels following a double-cutting method as needed.
Wallcovering Installers Association (WIA)
Spoonflower is a proud member of the Wallcovering Installers Association (WIA). The WIA is the only trade association dedicated exclusively to the interests and needs of wallpaper installation professionals. You can find out more about the WIA on their website, here.
