Fromental Shop: How to Install Linen and Specialist Fabric Wallpapers

This guide is for Fromental Shop wallpapers on linen, fabric or other specialist textile bases (see other guides for Grasscloth or Non-woven papers). These materials require careful preparation and installation, and we recommend using a professional installer experienced in hanging specialist wallpapers.

These instructions are not suitable for our Bespoke wallcovering range. For guidance on installing Bespoke wallcoverings, please contact your Fromental Sales Representative or enquire here.

1. Inspect Your Wallpaper

First, make sure the wallpaper you have received is correct. Double-check the quantity, design and colour against your order confirmation. Where applicable, check that the material is from the same production batch.
Carefully inspect all wallpaper before cutting, trimming or installing to ensure there are no visible defects.
Check whether your wallpaper has been supplied pre-trimmed or untrimmed before beginning installation.
Once installation begins, inspect the wallpaper again after the first three drops have been hung.
If you notice a fault or have any concerns before or during installation, stop immediately and contact Fromental before proceeding. Do not continue to cut, trim or install further material.

2. Prepare the Walls

Correct wall preparation is essential to ensure the wallpaper adheres properly.

Remove any existing wallcovering before installation.
Repair any damage to the walls, filling holes and sanding where necessary.
Make sure the wall surface is clean, smooth and completely dry.
Walls should be free from dust, dirt, grease and other contaminants.
Check that the walls are structurally sound and free from damp, moisture ingress or condensation.
Seal and prime the walls where required to create a suitable surface for installation.

3. Prepare the Room & Wallpaper

For best results, the wallpaper and room should be allowed to acclimatise before installation.

The building should be weather-tight and fully enclosed before installation begins.
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning should be operating under normal occupied conditions for at least three days before installation, throughout installation and for three days afterwards.
Maintain a room temperature of 18°C–25°C and relative humidity of 40%–60%.
Store the wallpaper flat or upright in a clean, dry environment at normal room temperature and humidity for at least three days before installation.
Make sure all primers and adhesives are fresh, uncontaminated and of professional commercial quality.

4. Plan Your Layout

Before cutting or hanging your wallpaper, take time to plan the complete installation and determine where the first drop should be positioned.

For panoramic designs, the drops form a continuous artwork and must be installed in the supplied panel sequence.

Check the panel sequence and overall width of the design before beginning installation.
Plan where the panoramic design will begin and end within the room, taking into account doors, windows, corners and other architectural features.
Consider which areas of the design you would like to position on key walls or focal points before determining your starting position.
Follow any panel numbers or layout information supplied with your wallpaper.
Do not rearrange the panel sequence, as this will interrupt the continuity of the design.

For repeating designs, consider the position of the pattern and seams within the room before determining where to begin. Where appropriate, centre the design around key architectural features to achieve a balanced installation.

Once the layout has been established, use a plumb line to ensure the first drop is positioned correctly.

5. Check Whether Your Wallpaper is Pre-Trimmed or Untrimmed

Before installation, check whether your wallpaper has been supplied pre-trimmed or untrimmed.

Pre-trimmed wallpaper is supplied with the edges already trimmed and is ready to hang. No additional trimming of the selvedge is required before installation.
Untrimmed wallpaper is supplied with a selvedge along the edges. This will need to be removed as part of the installation process to create the finished seams.

For untrimmed wallpaper, the selvedge can either be carefully trimmed before hanging or the wallpaper can be spliced on the wall during installation. The appropriate method will depend on the wallpaper, site conditions and the installer's preferred technique.

We recommend that trimming and splicing is carried out by an experienced professional installer familiar with specialist wallpapers.

6. Pasting & Hanging

For linen and specialist fabric wallpapers, use a premium-quality clay-based adhesive or heavy-duty ready-mixed wallcovering adhesive.

Paste the Wall

Apply the adhesive evenly and directly to the wall, allowing enough for one drop at a time.
Position the wallpaper carefully and smooth it into place using an appropriate wallpaper tool.
Take particular care around the seams and do not allow adhesive onto the face of the wallpaper.
Continue hanging according to the required panel sequence or planned layout for your wallpaper.
After the first three drops have been installed, stop and carefully inspect the wallpaper and overall installation before continuing.

If you notice any issue with the wallpaper during installation, stop hanging immediately and contact Fromental before proceeding further.

This information has been supplied in good faith but without guarantee. It is understood that the installer will have the necessary decorating knowledge and experience to work with specialist wallpapers and varying site and atmospheric conditions. Fromental does not take responsibility for the installation of our wallpapers; however, if you have any concerns about your wallpaper during the installation process, please contact our team.