Glossary
Please select the first letter of a term to go directly to that section on the list of terms.

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Accordion Fold

The technique of booking a strip of border several times, resembling an accordion. This keeps pasted sides together, allows "relaxing" time and makes long strips easier to handle during installation.

Activator

A diluted paste material used by some to activate pre-pasted wallcovering. Claims to improve slip and adhesion.

Acrylic

A type of plastic resins used as a pigment binder, or surface coating

Adhesive

A substance that causes two materials to adhere. Most wallcovering adhesives are cellulose- clay- or starch-based.

Alkali

A mineral salt sometimes found in plaster that may discolor wallpaper.

American Roll

A single roll of wallcovering, typically 27" wide, containing approximately 36 square feet of material.

Applique

Cutouts of paper, vinyl or other material to be applied individually to the wall.

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Baseboard

Decorative molding found at the bottom of the wall, along the floor.

Blank Stock

See Lining Paper

Blown Vinyl

Wallpaper with embossed or raised patterns created when printed plasticols expand under high temperatures. Often used in paintable wallcoverings.

Bolt

A unit of fabric or wallcovering, typically consisting of multiple single rolls.

Booking

The process of temporarily folding the ends of a sheet of wallpaper toward the middle of the sheet, paste to paste. This is done to activate the paste, to enable the material to relax, and to facilitate handling.

Border

A narrow band of wallcovering used for decorative purposes, usually at ceiling height, as a chair-rail detail or around windows and doors.

Breathable

Coated wallpaper that permits moisture to escape.

Butt Seam

A seam at which the edges of the wallcovering meet tightly and do not overlap.

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Ceiling Paper

Plain or simply designed wallpaper created specifically for use on ceiling.

Cellulose

A carbohydrate polymer derived from plants and used in the manufacture of many fibrous products such as paper and wallpaper paste.

Cellulose Paste

The adhesive often applied to prepasted wallcoverings. It is non-staining, odorless, vermin-proof and mildew-retardant, mixes easily and will not ferment.

Chair rail

Wood molding placed on the wall at the height of a chair back. Wallpaper borders are often used as substitutes for chair rails, and complementary sidewalls are often installed above and below the chair rail.

Coated Paper

Paper that coated with vinyl so that it retains its wet strength, enables printing on its surface, and maintains its shape when it dries.

Collection

A line of wallpaper patterns sold together in the same sample book.

Colorfast

Ability to resist change or loss of color caused by repeated exposure to light.

Color Run

(See Dye Lot)

Color Wheel

The relationship of colors to one another displayed in a circular arrangement.

Colorway

One of the colors in which a given design is offered. Each design is usually printed in multiple colorways within a collection.

Commercial Wallcovering

Wallcovering made specifically for use in commercial settings such as hotels, restaurants, offices and the like. Commercial Wallcoverings are classified as:

Type I: (Light Duty) — For use in office areas, hospital patient rooms, & hotel rooms.

Type II: (Medium Duty) — For use in foyers, lounges, corridors, classrooms, and hospital wards.

Type III: (Heavy Duty) — For use in areas subjected to very hard use such as hospital corridors.

 

Companion Papers

(See coordinates)

Complementary Colors

Unlike colors that oppose each other on the color wheel.

Contemporary

Current, modern decorating style.

Contract Wallcovering

(see Commercial Wallcovering)

Coordinates

Two or more papers designed and colored to be used together in the same or adjoining areas.

Country

Decorating style popularized in the early 70s and still strong today, featuring small prints, quilt looks, rustic motifs and the like.

Cylinder

A roller, usually metal, engraved with one color of a design. Most designs utilize 8-10 cylinders.

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Damask

Rich pattern reminiscent of patterned cotton, linen, silk or wool fabric.

Decorative Layer

The top printed layer of wallcovering.

Documentary

A replica of historic wallpaper .

Double cutting

Process of overlapping two pieces of wallpaper and cutting through both layers to make a butt seam. After cutting, the top piece is peeled back and the bottom piece is removed. This technique is used when creating border chair rails, at the end of a job and when making repairs.

Double roll

A bolt of two single rolls of wallpaper, packaged in a continuous length.

Drop Ceiling

The illusion of a lower ceiling created by installing ceiling paper several inches onto the wall and separating it from the sidewall with a border or molding.

Drop Cloth

A cloth used to protect floors and furniture when wallpapering. Usually made of plastic, canvas, or old bed sheets.

Drop Match

Patterns that do not repeat at the same distance from the ceiling line across the various strips on the wall. Rather, the matching point drops lower on each succeeding strip. Professional paper hangers use the technique of measuring and cutting adjacent strips from different rolls of wallcovering and alternating them to minimize waste. Drop matches are of two types:

• HALF-DROP MATCH— patterns appear to run diagonally across the wall in such a way that every other strip is identical at the ceiling line. It takes two strips of wallcovering to complete the pattern horizontally.
  
  
• MULTIPLE-DROP MATCH— patterns require three, four or five strips of wallcovering for the pattern to complete itself. A one-third-drop pattern requires three strips to complete the pattern and four to repeat. A one-quarter-drop pattern requires four strips to complete the pattern and five to repeat, and so on.

 

Dry-strip

 

Dye Lot

A set of numbers and/or letters given to a particular batch of wallcovering rolls printed at the same time. Each time a new ink or different batch is printed, the dye-lot number will change.

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Eclectic

A mixture of diverse decorating styles.

Embossing

A raised effect created when heat or pressure is used to impress a design into wallcovering.

European roll

See Metric Roll

Expanded vinyl

Wallpaper with a raised, three-dimensional surface created when an expansion agent is added to the vinyl and heated. Good for covering imperfect walls, it is usually sold as white "paintables" that can be painted with latex paint.

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Fabric-backed vinyl

A durable vinyl wallcovering with a synthetic, non-woven backing often used in commercial installations.

Flock

Wallcoverings made with shredded fibers to replicate the fuzzy texture of velvet.

Focal Point

The main point in a room to which the eye is initially drawn.

Foil

A very delicate, non-breathable wallpaper made by applying a thin sheet of printable metal to a paper or fabric back.

Free Match

Patterns with seams trimmed in open areas between design elements rather than through design elements. Free-match patterns may have straight-across matches or drop matches, but the design elements still need to be aligned.

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Good Lightfastness

Retains original color well, even when exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods.

Grasscloth

A hand-made product a made by applying woven grasses to a paper backing. Usually imported from Asia.

Gravure

A printing process which provides good quality at high speed and relatively low cost. The design image is etched into a series of cylinders that transfer ink to paper

Ground

Can refer to the raw paper stock (ground sheet) or the background color (ground coat or ground layer) applied to the paper stock. The top colors creating the design are then applied to the ground.

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Half-Drop Match

Patterns appear to run diagonally across the wall in such a way that every other strip is identical at the ceiling line. It takes two strips of wallcovering to complete the pattern horizontally.

Hand Prints

Wallcoverings that are printed by hand by forcing inks through a screen.

Header

The short strip of wallcovering hung above a door or window.

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In-register

Wallcoverings with a heat-embossed texture that perfectly matches the pattern. Often shiny or light-reflective in appearance.

Inside Corner

A corner that does not protrude into a room.

International Symbols

Drop match	Good lightfastness	Peelable	Prepasted
Random match	Scrubbable	Straight match	Strippable
Washable	Wipable

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Jacobean

Design style related to the crewel work popular during the reign of King James I of England.

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Level

A carpenter's tool used for determining the vertical and horizontal straightness of lines.

Light Reflective

See In-Register

Lineal Yard

A lengthwise measure equal to one yard.

Lining Paper

Blank wallcovering stock, which can be used under wallpaper to absorb moisture and provide a smooth wall surface upon which to hang. It maximizes adhesion, provides a smooth surface and minimizes the possibility of mildew and staining.

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Match

The alignment of designs in successive strips of paper. There are several types of matches:

Drop Match

Patterns that do not repeat at the same distance from the ceiling line across the various strips on the wall. Rather, the matching point drops lower on each succeeding strip. Professional paper hangers use the technique of measuring and cutting adjacent strips from different rolls of wallcovering and alternating them to minimize waste. Drop matches are of two types:

• HALF-DROP MATCH— patterns appear to run diagonally across the wall in such a way that every other strip is identical at the ceiling line. It takes two strips of wallcovering to complete the pattern horizontally.
  
  
• MULTIPLE-DROP MATCH— patterns require three, four or five strips of wallcovering for the pattern to complete itself. A one-third-drop pattern requires three strips to complete the pattern and four to repeat. A one-quarter-drop pattern requires four strips to complete the pattern and five to repeat, and so on.

• Free Match—Patterns with seams trimmed in open areas between design elements rather than through design elements. Free-match patterns may have straight-across matches or drop matches, but the design elements still need to be aligned.

  Random Match

  Straight Match

  
  

• Random Match—Patterns with no apparent match no matter how the adjoining strips are positioned. Grasscloth, textures and vertical stripes are common random matches, and the strips are frequently reversed when hung to minimize visual effects such as edge-to-edge shading.

• Straight Match—Patterns in which the same elements of the design are horizontally aligned an equal distance from the ceiling line.

Matte finish

A dull finish

Metallic

(See Foil)

Metric roll

A single roll, usually 20.5 inches wide and approximately 16 feet long containing 28 to 30 square feet of wallpaper.

Mildew

A discoloring of organic materials such as paint, paper and cloth caused by fungi, especially under damp conditions.

Mission

A decorating style reminiscent of early Spanish missions in California.

Miter

A joint made by butting two pieces of material, each of which has been cut at a 45-degree angle, in order to form a 90-degree corner.

Moiré

Patterns with a wavy, water-like appearance.

Molding

An ornamental strip of wood or plaster embellishing a ceiling or wall.

Monochromatic

Having only one color.

Multiple-Drop Match

Patterns require three, four or five strips of wallcovering for the pattern to complete itself. A one-third-drop pattern requires three strips to complete the pattern and four to repeat. A one-quarter-drop pattern requires four strips to complete the pattern and five to repeat, and so on.

Mosaic

A decorative design made by setting colored glass or stone in mortar to form a pattern.

Mural

A wall decoration with a continuous scenic design intended to cover most of a wall. Formed by joining sequential strips of wallpaper, each containing different portions of the scene.

Mylar

A polyester film occasionally used to make wallpaper with a foil-like appearance.

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Neoclassic

A revival of classic forms and aesthetics

Neutral Colors

Colors that lack hue, such as black, white, gray and brown.

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Open Time

The time period available between the activation and application of adhesives until they dry.

Outside Corner

A corner that protrudes into a room.

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Paintable

See Expanded Vinyl

Paisley

Colorful, swirled pattern of abstract, curved shapes named after Paisley, Scotland.

Paper-backed vinyl

Wallpaper with a solid vinyl decorative layer laminated to a paper backing. Also called solid vinyl. Very durable, scrubbable and peelable.

Paste

A term for the adhesive used in wallcovering.

Pattern

A design printed on wallcovering that is repeated. Also refers to the number assigned to the design in a sample book.

Pattern Match

(See Match)

Peelable

Wallcovering with a solid vinyl surface layer that can be peeled away to reveal a paper backing that can be easily removed by soaking.

Plumb

Perfectly vertical.

Plumb Line

A weighted chalk-covered string line used to mark a true vertical line on a wall.

Prepasted

Wallpaper that has adhesive applied to the back at the time of manufacture. The paste is activated when the wallpaper is dipped in water.

Pre-Trimmed

Wallpaper from which selvage edge has been trimmed off at the factory. Most wallpaper is pre-trimmed.

Pressure Sensitive

(See Self Adhesive)

Primary Colors

The three colors, red, blue and yellow, from which all other colors may be derived.

Prime

The act of applying a primer to the wall prior to installing wallcovering.

Primer

Acrylic paint-like product applied to the wall prior to the installation of wallcovering, specially designed to promote slip, adhesion and stripability. Used in place of size.

Production Run

(See Dye Lot)

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Railroading

Applying wallpaper horizontally.

Random Match

Patterns with no apparent match no matter how the adjoining strips are positioned. Grasscloth, textures and vertical stripes are common random matches, and the strips are frequently reversed when hung to minimize visual effects such as edge-to-edge shading.

Registration

The correct alignment of colors on a printed sheet.

Relief Cut

A temporary cut made in a corner, at a window casing or at a molding to relief pressure on a large sheet of paper, enabling it to lay flat against the wall.

Removal Solution

A solution used to soften existing wallpaper and paste for easy removal.

Repeat

The distance from the center of a design element to the center of the same element the next time it appears.

Reversing

The technique of hanging every other strip of random-match wallpaper upside down to minimize side to side shading.

Roll

The basic unit of measure for a sidewall, usually expressed as a single roll.

Rotary screen

A method of machine-printing wallpaper in which ink is forced through printed screens attached to cylinders.

Run

(See Dye Lot)

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Scrubbable

Wallpaper that can be washed frequently with warm water and mild soap.

Scenic

(See Mural)

Seams

Edges where two wallcoverings are joined.

Seam roller

Small wood or steel hand roller used to used to adhere wallpaper to the wall at the seams.

Segment

A single unit or roll of border.

Self Adhesive

Borders that do not need to be soaked to activate the paste. Should only be installed on clean, smooth, non-porous surfaces. Not recommended for use over vinyl wallcovering.

Selvage

The untrimmed, unprinted edge of wallpaper that has not been pre-trimmed at the factory.

Shading

Heavier ink coverage on one side of the strip than the other which can increase the visibility of seams of textured wallcovering. Reversing each strip can reduce the impact of shading. Dark edges will thus butt to dark edges and light to light, minimizing the shading.

Sidewall

What most people refer to as wallpaper, as opposed to borders.

Single Roll

Standard unit of measure for wallpaper. Wallpaper is usually packaged in double or triple roll bolts but priced by the single roll.

Size (Sizing)

A sealer once used to prepare the wall before paper was applied. For the most part, acrylic wallpaper primers have replaced size.

Slip

The ability of wallpaper to slide on the wall in order to align seams and reposition the paper. The adhesive and the primer influence slip.

Smoothing Brush

A wide brush used to smooth wallpaper and work out air bubbles while hanging.

Soffit

The area in kittens or laundry rooms extending from the top of the cabinets to the ceiling that is often covered with a border.

Solid Vinyl

Wallpaper with a solid vinyl decorated layer laminated to a paper or fabric backing. Very durable, and often used in kitchens and baths due to its ability to withstand repeated cleanings.

Spackling compound

Soft, pliant compound used to fix holes and gouges in drywall.

Stain Resistant

Ability to resist most types of stains.

Straight Edge

A long steel ruler used as a guide to trim the selvage off of untrimmed wallcovering or to cut lengths of wallpaper at inside corners.

Straight Match

Patterns in which the same elements of the design are horizontally aligned an equal distance from the ceiling line.

String

Wallcovering featuring string, silk or yarn bonded to a paper backing.

Strip

A single piece of sidewall, as long as the height of the wall.

Strippable

Wallcovering that is designed to resist tearing and to release from dry adhesive without damage to the wall. Some strippable papers must be soaked with a removal solution. Others may be "dry strippable".

Substrate

The backing of a wallcovering that goes against the wall and that is laminated to the design layer. Can be made of fabric or paper.

Surface Printing

A printing method utilizing a raised printing surface. Patterns have a raised look on the paper and the finished product resembles an oil painting.

Swag

A hanging decoration usually consisting of garlands, leaves, ribbons or drapery fabric.

Swatch

A sample cutting of wallcovering or fabric.

Symbols

(See International Symbols)

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Toile De jouy

Landscape and figure motifs printed in monotone colorations. First developed as a style in Jouy, France.

Traditional

A style of decorating handed down from the past.

Transitional

A style of designing containing elements of two or more other styles.

Triple Roll

A bolt of three single rolls of wallpaper, packaged in a continuous length.

Trompe L'oeil

A design in which objects are rendered in extremely fine detail emphasizing the illusion of tactile and spatial qualities. The result is visual deception.

Type I
Type II
Type III
(See Commercial Wallcovering)

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Unpasted

Wallpaper requiring paste to be applied to the back of the paper prior to installation.

Useable Yield

Square footage of useable wallcovering after allowing for waste to match the pattern.

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Vertical repeat

(See Repeat)

Victorian

Decoration reflecting the style during the reign of Queen Victoria characterized by massive, elaborate, sometimes ostentatious workmanship.

Vinyl

A manmade material which is often coated or laminated onto wallpaper backing to give the product improved washability.

Vinyl-to-vinyl adhesive (vinyl over vinyl; VOV)

A special paste designed to adhere border to vinyl wallpaper and to adhere vinyl wallcovering to itself, such as at inside corners.

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Wainscot (Wainscoting)

Wood paneling installed from the floor to approximates one-third of the wall height. Wallcovering is often used below a chairrail as a substitute for wainscot.

Wallcovering

Any coverings applied to walls for decoration and to hide imperfections.

Wall Liner

(see Lining Paper)

Wallpaper

A wallcovering made of paper.

Warm Colors

Red, yellow or orange, or any color to which yellow has been added.

Washable

Wallpaper that can be washed infrequently with warm water , soap, and a soft sponge.

Water Tray

An open tray used to hold water to soak prepasted wallpaper.

Wipable

Able to use a soft, dry cloth to clean the paper surface.

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