Wall Mural & Photo Wallpaper Installation Instructions

This page brings together the main installation guides for the wall murals and photo wallpapers sold in our shop. Please read the correct section for your product type before starting.

General tools you may need

• Step stool or ladder
• Spirit level
• Pencil
• Tape measure
• Paint brush or pasting brush
• Smoothing brush or roller
• Clean sponge
• Utility knife
• Bucket or container
• Clean cloths

Paper wall murals

Komar photomurals - Wallpapering instructions for paper wall murals
This tutorial shows step by step how to apply photomurals to walls.

Matching panels may be the hardest part of installation. To make sure the panels line up correctly, follow these rules:

1. Overlap all panels as shown in the manufacturer’s instruction.
2. Keep an equal soaking time for each strip. For this paper mural, the recommended soaking time is 3 minutes after applying adhesive.
3. Apply an even, thin coat of adhesive to the back of the wallcovering and make sure all areas are covered.
4. Paper wallpaper expands slightly when pasted. Do not try to match a dry strip with a soaked strip.
5. Allow long drying time, ideally around 24 hours. Drying too quickly can cause edge separation and cracking. Keep the room at about 20°C and close the windows to avoid drafts.
6. Make sure the first panel is perfectly plumb. If the first panel is at an angle, the rest of the mural will not line up correctly.
7. Handle soaked strips carefully and do not stretch them.

The most common mistakes

• Unequal strip sizes caused by uneven soaking time.
• Loose wallpaper caused by soaking too long or using the wrong adhesive.
• Bubbles caused by soaking too briefly.
• Panels not matching because the first strip was not hung straight.

Detailed instructions

1. Inspect the panels
Lay out the mural before starting. Check that all panels are the same size, the colours match and the items are in good condition. Once any part of the mural has been hung, refunds or exchanges cannot be made.

2. Prepare the wall
The wall or door must be prepared like conventional wallpapering. The surface should be clean, smooth, dry and free of grease. Remove residue, sand rough areas and fill holes and cracks. The wall should be absorbent so the mural dries properly.

3. Mix the paste
Use the enclosed wallpaper paste if supplied. A typical mix is 40g to 1 litre of water or 60g to 1.5 litres of water. Add the paste slowly while stirring, leave it to stand for about 10 minutes, and stir again before use. If paste is not included, use a standard all-purpose adhesive suitable for paper wallpapers.

4. Mark the wall
Decide where the mural will be centred. Use a level and pencil to draw a vertical guide line on the wall for the first panel.

5. Recommended panel order
For 8-panel murals, the recommended order is 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 - 6 - 5 - 8 - 7. For 4-panel murals, use 4 - 3 - 2 - 1.

6. Apply paste
Paste the back of the panel carefully and evenly. Make sure the edges are covered. Do not fold the pasted panels. Keep the soaking time equal for each strip.

7. Hang and smooth
Place the lower part of the panel along the marked line. Remove air bubbles by smoothing from the centre outward. Small bubbles and wrinkles usually disappear when the panels dry. Some murals may require a small overlap of approximately 4 mm, depending on the product type.

8. Trim the edges
Trim the outer edges after all panels are installed, but before they are completely dry. Use a sharp utility knife and a straight ruler.

9. Clean up
Wipe away excess paste with a clean damp sponge. Do not scrub the printed surface or use harsh cleaning products.

Komar photomurals on non-woven - Wallpapering instructions
This tutorial shows how easy it is to apply photomurals to walls.

Non-woven paste-the-wall murals

Non-woven murals are usually easier to install because the paste is applied to the wall rather than soaking the paper. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions supplied with the product.

• Prepare the wall so it is clean, smooth and dry.
• Apply adhesive to the wall in even sections.
• Hang the strips carefully and smooth them from the centre outward.
• Do not stretch the material.
• Wipe away excess paste with a damp sponge.

Standard Non-Woven Wallpaper Rolls (Paste-the-Wall)

These instructions apply to standard non-woven wallpaper supplied on rolls. Non-woven wallpaper is one of the easiest wallpaper types to install because the adhesive is applied directly to the wall rather than to the wallpaper itself.

Tools Required

• Wallpaper adhesive suitable for non-woven wallpapers
• Paint roller and tray
• Pasting brush (for corners and edges)
• Spirit level or laser level
• Pencil
• Tape measure
• Wallpaper smoothing brush or plastic smoother
• Sharp trimming knife
• Clean sponge or soft cloth

Before You Begin

• Inspect every wallpaper roll before installation.
• Check that the batch numbers are identical.
• Ensure the pattern and colours match correctly.
• Lay several lengths on the floor to confirm the design repeat before hanging.
• Do not install wallpaper with visible manufacturing defects.

Please note: Once wallpaper has been installed, it is considered accepted and cannot be returned because of visible defects.

Preparing the Wall

The wall must be:

• Clean
• Dry
• Smooth
• Dust-free
• Free from grease
• Properly primed if highly absorbent

Remove any old wallpaper, repair holes or cracks and lightly sand rough areas. Newly plastered walls should be fully dry before wallpapering.

Installation

1. Draw a perfectly vertical plumb line using a spirit level.
2. Apply a generous, even coat of adhesive directly to the wall using a roller. Use a brush around ceilings, skirting boards and corners.
3. Position the first strip carefully along the plumb line.
4. Smooth the wallpaper from the centre towards the edges using a wallpaper brush or smoothing tool to remove air bubbles.
5. Hang each additional strip edge-to-edge (butt joint). Do not overlap standard non-woven wallpaper rolls.
6. Match the pattern carefully before pressing the seams into place.
7. Trim excess wallpaper at the ceiling and skirting boards using a sharp knife.
8. Immediately remove excess adhesive using a clean damp sponge. Do not rub excessively.

Important Installation Tips

Drying

Allow the wallpaper to dry naturally. Rapid drying caused by direct sunlight, radiators or open windows may cause seams to open or the wallpaper to shrink.

Cleaning

Remove adhesive immediately with a slightly damp soft sponge. Do not use abrasive cleaners, solvents or excessive water.

Common Installation Mistakes

• Applying paste to the wallpaper instead of the wall.
• Starting with a strip that is not perfectly vertical.
• Using insufficient adhesive.
• Stretching the wallpaper during installation.
• Allowing adhesive to dry before positioning the wallpaper.
• Drying the room too quickly with heaters or open windows.

Nice Wall photomurals - Wallpapering instructions
Step by step installation guidance for paper photomurals.

Layout your mural to ensure that all panels are the same size, the colours match and the panels are in good condition. Read the manufacturer’s instructions before starting.

If you are unsure about the installation, we recommend using a professional decorator. We cannot replace a mural for free if it is damaged during fitting.

Before you start

• Large, clean work surface
• Wallpaper paste suitable for paper wallpapers
• Tape measure and level
• Ladder if required
• Sandpaper and filler if wall preparation is needed
• Bucket, sponge, cloths and drop cloth
• Utility knife and straight edge
• Smoothing brush and seam roller

How to hang the mural

Prepare the wall first. For unpainted drywall, use a good primer/sealer. For painted drywall, fill cracks and holes, then sand smooth. Glossy walls should be lightly sanded before cleaning. Existing wallpaper should only be covered if it is in good condition, clean and firmly fixed.

Prepare the paste according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Mark the wall carefully, making sure the first panel is perfectly vertical. Apply paste evenly, allow the strip to soak for the recommended time, then hang and smooth the paper carefully. Do not rush the process.

Drying should be slow and even. Keep the room warm, around 20°C, and avoid drafts by closing the windows.

Wizard Genius photomurals - Wallpapering instructions
Step by step guide for photomural installation.

Layout the mural to ensure the panels are the same size, the colours match and the panels are in good condition. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions before starting.

For this type of mural, the numbering and overlap must be followed carefully. Start with panel 1 and continue in order. Keep equal soaking time for each strip, use a thin even coat of adhesive, and ensure the first panel is perfectly plumb.

Handle soaked strips carefully. Do not stretch the wallpaper. Allow the mural to dry slowly at about 20°C with the windows closed.

Important notes for Wizard Genius murals

• Do not soak panels for longer than 2 minutes if the product instructions say so.
• Always keep the soaking time equal for every strip.
• Use the correct overlap where required by the manufacturer.
• Wipe excess paste away before it dries.
• Do not scrub the printed surface.

1Wall photomurals

1Wall photomurals - Wallpapering instructions for paper wall murals
Step by step instructions for paper wall murals.

1. The backdrop
Preparing the wall is essential. The surface must be clean, dry, hard, smooth and reasonably porous.

2. Preparation and alignment
The mural is 2.32 metres high and 3.15 metres wide. Use a spirit level, ruler and pencil to mark the centre of the picture on the wall. Lay the sheets on the floor first to check the order.

3. Preparing the paste and sticking the sheets
Mix wallpaper paste according to the pack instructions. A typical proportion is 60 grams of powder to 1.9 litres of water. Let the mixture settle for 20 minutes, then mix thoroughly. Apply paste to the back of the sheets, fold the edges towards the centre and allow the paste to soak for exactly 2 minutes.

4. Hanging
Start with sheet A, then continue with the remaining panels. Smooth from the centre toward the edges and remove air bubbles carefully. Smaller bubbles should disappear as the paste dries. Remember to follow the overlap shown in the manufacturer’s plan.

1. Overlap all panels as instructed.
2. Keep equal soaking time for each strip.
3. Apply an even, thin coat of adhesive to the back of the wallcovering.
4. Paper wallpaper expands slightly when pasted.
5. Dry slowly at about 20°C, with windows closed and no drafts.
6. Make sure the first panel is perfectly plumb.
7. Handle soaked strips carefully and do not stretch them.

The most common mistakes
Unequal strip sizes, loose wallpaper caused by incorrect soaking or adhesive, bubbles caused by short soaking time, and panels not matching because the first strip was not hung straight.

1Wall paste-the-wall series

1Wall photomurals - Wallpapering instructions for non-woven paste-the-wall series
This tutorial shows how easy it is to apply photomurals to walls.

For non-woven paste-the-wall murals, follow the manufacturer’s instructions supplied with the product. Prepare the wall carefully, apply the adhesive to the wall in sections, and hang the mural strips neatly without stretching.

Use a smoothing brush or roller to remove air bubbles and wipe away excess paste with a damp sponge. Allow the mural to dry naturally at a stable room temperature.