The Paperhanger’s Guide to Wallpaper Jargon

In the vast, sometimes bewildering universe of interior design, wallpaper is a planet of its own—filled with mysterious terms and techniques that might as well come from an alien language. Fear not, brave adventurer, for this glossary will serve as your trusty towel, guiding you through the stars of wallpaper jargon. Whether you’re preparing to tackle your first wall or just trying to understand what “Drop Match” or “Double Cut” means, you’re in good hands. Don’t panic—just read on.

27 Inch Roll: Standard wallpaper width in the U.S.
36 Inch Roll: Typically used for Grasscloth and natural fibers.
54 Inch Roll: Commercial-grade wallpaper width.
Backing: Material supporting the wallpaper’s surface.
Booking: Folding pasted wallpaper to let it expand.
Butt Joint: Seam where two strips meet edge-to-edge.
Clear Paste: Transparent adhesive used for lighter-colored wallpapers.
Claybase Paste: Adhesive with a thicker consistency, commonly used for heavy or textured wallpaper.
Double Cut: Overlapping wallpaper and cutting through both layers for a perfect seam.
Double Roll: Standard packaging of two single rolls in the USA.
Drop Match: Pattern alignment requiring the design to “drop” down to the next strip.
Dry Hanging: Pasting the wall instead of the wallpaper.
Embossed: Wallpaper with raised patterns.
European Roll: Typically 20.5 inches or 53cm wide.
Flocked: Velvet-like textured wallpaper.
Grasscloth: Natural fiber wallpaper usually 36 inches or 91cm wide.
Measure: The process of determining how much wallpaper is needed for a space.
Mural: wallpaper with an image.
Nonwoven: Durable, tear-resistant material.
Paper-Backed: Wallpaper backed with paper for added strength.
Paste Machine: A machine used to apply an even coat of paste to wallpaper.
Pattern Repeat: The length before the design repeats.
Peel n Stick: Self-adhesive wallpaper.(Not a fan!)
Peelable: Peel n Stick.
Plastic: Acrylic or Plexi-glass tool used too smooth out bubbles.
Prepasted: Requires water to activate adhesive.
Random Match: No specific pattern matching needed.
Removable: Easy to take down without damage.
Reverse Hang: Reverse each strip of wallpaper to minimize shading.
Seam Roller: Tool used to pressed to wallpaper sheets together to make a nice seam.
Single Roll: Standard roll length (typically half a double roll in the USA).
Spongeable: Can be lightly cleaned with a sponge.
Straight Match: Pattern lines up horizontally at the same height.
Straight Edge: A tool used to ensure precise, clean cuts in wallpaper, providing a straight line for trimming and aligning edges during installation.
Strippable: Removable wallpaper.
Table Legs: Adjustable supports for wallpapering tables, used during installation.
Traditional: Wallpaper that requires paste.
US Roll: Standard width roll in the U.S., typically 27 inches.
Unpasted: Requires paste for application.
Vinyl-Coated: Wallpaper with a protective vinyl layer.
Sizing: A primer applied to walls before wallpapering to ensure adhesion and help removability.
Wallpaper Brush: wide brush tool used to smooth out wallpaper.
Washable: Can be cleaned with water.