How to Install Wallpaper: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide

How to Install Wallpaper — Peel & Stick and Paste the Wall Guide

A complete installation guide for Olive et Oriel custom-sized wallpaper panels. These instructions match our printed installation PDFs and cover both peel & stick (self-adhesive) and paste the wall (non-woven) methods from start to finish.

Every Olive et Oriel wallpaper order includes numbered panels, custom manufactured to your exact wall dimensions at our Central Coast production facilities. We add a complimentary 10cm height margin to every order for trimming. If you need help during installation, contact help@oliveetoriel.com — we are available to talk you through any step.

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Before You Start — Both Types

These steps apply to both peel & stick and paste the wall installations. Complete all preparation before opening your first panel.

1. Unpack and inspect your panels. Lay all panels flat and check they are labelled correctly — Panel 1, Panel 2, Panel 3, and so on. Confirm nothing was damaged in transit. If anything looks wrong, photograph it and contact help@oliveetoriel.com before starting.
2. Prepare the wall surface. Walls must be clean, dry, and smooth. Fill any holes or cracks with filler, allow to dry, and sand flush. Wipe down with a damp cloth and allow to dry completely. Remove all nails, hooks, and screws. Turn off power at the breaker and remove light switch and socket cover plates.
3. Identify your starting corner. Start at the far left of your wall, in the most inconspicuous corner. Panel 1 goes here. You will work from left to right across the wall.
4. Mark your first panel position. Measure 43cm from the left corner and use a laser level to project a perfectly vertical line at this point. This is your alignment guide for Panel 1. Do not use pencil marks — pencil lines can show through the wallpaper, particularly on lighter designs.
5. Allow 5cm excess. Leave approximately 5cm of excess wallpaper at the left edge, the top (ceiling line), and the bottom (skirting line). This excess will be trimmed after all panels are installed — not during installation.

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Peel & Stick Installation

Who should install peel & stick? We recommend advanced DIYers or professional signage and vinyl installers. Traditional wallpaper hangers may not have the right technique for self-adhesive fabric-based panels. If you are hiring a professional, look for someone experienced with vinyl graphics, architectural films, or signage — they work with similar materials daily.

Wall Preparation — Primer Is Essential

Peel & stick wallpaper requires a properly primed wall for reliable adhesion. This is not optional.

1. If walls have been freshly painted: Wait a minimum of 30 days for the paint to fully cure before applying any primer or wallpaper. Uncured paint will lift when the wallpaper is later removed.
2. Apply 3 coats of primer to the wall surface. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next.
   • Australia: Viponds Self Adhesive Prep Coat — touch dry in 30 minutes, recoat after 2 hours. Available from Viponds stockists, Gamart, Ball & Doggett, and Conect (1300 713 567). Not available at Bunnings or Mitre 10.
   • USA: Roman PRO-977 Ultra Prime — available at most hardware stores.
   • All other countries: A quality semi-gloss acrylic primer designed for self-adhesive applications.
3. Allow primer to cure for a minimum of 24 hours before installing wallpaper. The surface must be completely cured, not just touch-dry.

Important: Adhesion issues caused by insufficient primer, skipped coats, or inadequate cure time are not a product fault. Three full coats with a 24-hour cure is the minimum for reliable results.

Step-by-Step Peel & Stick Application

1. Roll up the panel. Before starting, roll Panel 1 with the design facing inward. This helps the panel lie flat against the wall during application and reduces curling.
2. Peel the backing gradually. Do not remove the entire backing at once. Peel back approximately 15–20cm of backing from the top of the panel.
3. Align to your laser level line. Position the top of Panel 1 at the ceiling line with your 5cm excess at the top. Align the right edge of the panel to the 43cm laser line. Press the exposed adhesive section gently into place.
4. Work down the wall. Continue peeling the backing gradually — a section at a time — as you smooth the panel downward. Use a lint-free cloth only to smooth the panel from the centre outward. Never use hard tools such as squeegees, plastic scrapers, or wallpaper smoothers. Hard tools can stretch the fabric substrate and damage the print.
5. Reposition if needed. Peel & stick is repositionable. If a panel is not straight or has trapped air, gently peel it back and re-apply. Work slowly and methodically rather than rushing.
6. Butt-join the next panel. Position Panel 2 directly beside Panel 1 with edges touching. Never overlap panels. Butt-join means edge-to-edge with no gap and no overlap. Align the pattern match carefully before smoothing into place.
7. Continue across the wall. Repeat for all remaining panels, always working left to right in numerical order. Maintain the 5cm excess at top and bottom throughout.
8. Trim excess last. Once all panels are installed and you are satisfied with the alignment, trim the excess at the ceiling, skirting, and side edges using a sharp craft knife and metal straight edge. Use a fresh blade — dull blades tear rather than cut.

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Paste the Wall Installation

Who should install paste the wall? We recommend a professional wallpaper installer for paste the wall wallpaper. The technique requires experience with wet adhesive application, panel alignment on a wet surface, and seam finishing. A professional will achieve a significantly better result, particularly on large walls or full-room installations.

Step-by-Step Paste the Wall Application

1. Set up your laser level. Project a vertical line at the 43cm mark from your starting corner. This is your alignment guide for Panel 1. Do not draw pencil lines on the wall — pencil marks will show through the non-woven substrate, especially on lighter wallpaper designs.
2. Apply paste to the wall — not the paper. Using a paste roller or brush, apply an even coat of wallpaper paste to the wall surface. Apply paste to one panel width at a time only — do not paste the entire wall in advance. The paste will dry before you reach it.
3. Hang Panel 1. Align the panel to your laser level line with 5cm excess at the top and left edge. The panel will slide on the wet paste, allowing you to adjust position before pressing into place. Work from the top down, smoothing gently with a wallpaper brush or soft cloth.
4. Roll the seams. After each panel is positioned, use a soft seam roller along the edges and joins. Do not press too hard — a gentle, consistent pressure is all that is needed. Hard rollers or excessive pressure can push paste out of the seam and leave visible marks.
5. Wipe excess paste immediately. Use a damp cloth to wipe any paste that squeezes out at the seams or edges. Follow immediately with a dry cloth. Paste left on the surface of the wallpaper can dry to a visible sheen and may stain lighter designs permanently.
6. Butt-join the next panel. Apply paste for Panel 2, one panel width at a time. Position Panel 2 edge-to-edge with Panel 1. Never overlap panels. Check pattern alignment before smoothing into place.
7. Continue across the wall. Work left to right through all panels in numerical order. Apply paste one section at a time. Roll seams and wipe excess paste as you go.
8. Trim excess last. Once all panels are installed, trim the excess at the ceiling, skirting, and edges with a sharp craft knife and straight edge.

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Tools Checklist

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Tips for a Perfect Finish

• Temperature and ventilation. Install in a well-ventilated room at a comfortable temperature — ideally 18°C or above. Avoid installing in direct sunlight or in rooms with heating running at full, as this causes paste or adhesive to dry too quickly.
• Work with a partner. Two people make installation significantly easier — one holding the panel at the top while the other smooths and aligns from below.
• Safety. Turn off power at the breaker before removing socket or light switch covers. Use a stable step ladder — never a chair, stool, or table. Keep craft knife blades sharp and store safely when not in use.
• Do not rush trimming. Trim all excess only after every panel is in place. This gives you the flexibility to make small adjustments to panel positions before making permanent cuts.
• Order a sample first. A $4.99 wallpaper sample lets you test the material, adhesion, and colour on your specific wall before committing to a full order. Samples are 48cm x 40cm — the same material as your full installation.
• Keep the installation PDF. Your order includes printed installation instructions specific to your wallpaper type. Keep them on hand during installation and follow them step by step.

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Quick Reference — Key Numbers

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Related Guides

• Preparing Your Walls for Peel & Stick Wallpaper
• Types of Wallpaper Explained — Peel & Stick, Paste the Wall, and Vinyl
• Wallpaper Murals Guide — Large-Scale Wall Art
• Custom Wallpaper Sizing Guide
• Wallpaper for Renters — USA Guide

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