How to decipher the symbols on wallpaper: guide from ReRooms

The wallpaper packaging contains not only its name and a beautiful picture of the surface of the canvas. There is also a lot of useful and important information for the buyer - in the form of symbols and small drawings. And these designations on the wallpaper must be studied, otherwise there is a risk of purchasing finishing materials that, according to their characteristics, are not at all suitable for your home. The result may be a complete replacement of the wallpaper in the room.

That is why we will decipher for you all the symbols and signs that are found on the rolls. After reading the article, you will be able to read any icons on the wallpaper - and this will help you buy in the store exactly the material that is best suited for your apartment.

A short explanation of all the symbols on the wallpaper

If you don’t have time to read the entire article, then we present the meaning of the most common icons on wallpaper.

Varieties of wallpaper designs

Rapport is a special type of applying a pattern to wallpaper. If you are going to make repairs, then you need to familiarize yourself with all the many possible designs in order to be savvy in their choice and not get confused when you go to the store.

It is accessible and simple: - Abstract - a chaotic pattern in which you cannot name a specific object, but something like “blot”, “divorce”. - Geometric - according to the name, they depict geometric figures: circles, rectangular, polygonal, triangles. — Stripes - it would seem logical to classify them as abstract or geometric, but wallpapers with vertical or horizontal stripes are classified as a separate group. - Plain - wallpaper without a distinct pattern and one color. — Classic - intertwining lines, knots, each roll is part of a certain picture. This is often called wallpaper with monogram patterns. — Floral wallpaper depicts various floral figures. — Ornamental - with patterns of alternating elements.

IMPORTANT! Each type of drawing requires an approach. For example, abstract and monochromatic ones can be glued as you like, but classic or geometric ones need to be joined to get the correct image.

Decoding the markings on the wallpaper

Wallpaper from any manufacturer is marked with symbols in the form of drawings. The pictograms on the label provide information directly about the characteristics of the wall covering.

If you plan to wash the wallpaper in the future, or the coating will be applied in a room with high humidity, you need to look for rolls with a wave icon. This designation will tell you about the wallpaper care options.

Designations on wallpaper - light fastness

The sun symbol indicates the lightfastness of the wallpaper. Each icon corresponds to the degree of fading of the coating due to regular exposure to sunlight.

Designations on the wallpaper - joining the pattern

Markings with arrows indicate the method of combining the canvases. The designations indicate both an arbitrary sticker and precise joining of the elements of the design.

Marking on wallpaper - applying glue

The brush icons will tell you how to glue wallpaper. By the designation you can understand where to apply the adhesive (on the canvas or the surface to be pasted).

Moisture resistance

Let's move on to graphic symbols. They all have a black and white schematic appearance, so if you don’t know the exact meaning of the picture, it can be difficult to decipher such symbols.

Photo: homerenovates.com

Let's start with the moisture resistance of the wallpaper. This mark will let you know whether the selected wallpaper can be washed, and if so, how. There are several degrees of wallpaper resistance to water:

• moisture-resistant - such wallpaper cannot be washed with large amounts of water, but can be wiped with a damp soft cloth;
• washable - such wallpaper can already be washed with any amount of water and a sponge. There will definitely not be such a badge on paper products, only on vinyl or non-woven ones;
• super washable - this means that when washing with water, you can use any chemical cleaning agents;
• with a brush pattern is wallpaper that is resistant to cleaning by friction, that is, not just with a rag or sponge, but with a brush with stiff bristles. There is a second variety - super-resistant, which can be cleaned with a brush and water;
• super-resistant wallpaper can be different: with one, two or three wavy lines. The more lines, the higher the material’s resistance to water.

Wallpapering (installation)

Methods of applying glue and joining the pattern have their own symbols. But there is a sign indicating a special gluing technology.

Invisible docking. The sheets are glued with an overlap of 4-6 cm; after pasting is completed, it is carefully cut off.

Removing wallpaper (dismantling)

The markings will show how easily the wallpaper can be removed from the walls. Understanding icons will come in handy when it comes time to update your interior.

Other designations on wallpaper

Manufacturers have provided the market with anti-vandal, fire-resistant and other wall coverings. Special icons will help you decipher unfamiliar symbols.

In addition, wallpaper produced in EU countries may have special markings, for example, Gütegemeinschaft Tapete eV. This organization has developed special regulations for the quality and testing of wallpaper, which indicate technical requirements, as well as standards regarding harmlessness to health and the environment . The European Union has a special, independent supervisory body that monitors compliance with such regulations.

Wallpaper quality mark

Another marking that meets the requirements of EU directives is the CE mark, which is used for the entire range of construction and finishing products. The CE mark placed on the wallpaper label means that the manufacturer guarantees that the quality of this product complies with the currently valid EU directives regarding the quality of construction products.

EU legislation is very strict in matters of this kind, so the presence of such designations on the label is an additional plus in favor of a particular product.

CE mark for construction products

Graphic symbols

Icons on wallpaper can answer questions that arise during the selection and installation of decorative coverings. Laconic pictograms will tell you about the degree of light resistance and moisture resistance, the method of adjusting the pattern, methods of installation and subsequent removal.

Moisture resistance

• Moisture resistant - one wave means one wet cleaning. It is recommended to wipe such material with a damp soft sponge at most once, removing excess glue after installation.
• Washable - two waves assure that such wallpaper will withstand regular light cleaning.
• Washable, especially resistant - three waves will withstand both planned and spontaneous cleaning.
• Wear-resistant – highly resistant to moisture and friction. Will withstand the use of a fluffy brush.
• Particularly resistant to cleaning - can be washed using a fluffy brush and household chemicals.

Resistant to fading

Sunlight is important both in human life and in the interior. But if you not only have to wake up with the sun, but also spend the whole day, take this feature into account when choosing finishing materials. Light fastness symbols will tell you which wallpapers will not show signs of fading.

• Average light fastness - this designation warns that such a material will not withstand contact with sunlight.
• Satisfactory light fastness - traces of fading may appear over time.
• Good light fastness - the material is resistant to sunlight in moderation.
• Very good light fastness - suitable for well-lit and long-sun rooms: attics and rooms with large windows.
• Excellent light fastness – maximum degree of UV resistance. This designation on the wallpaper indicates that there is no risk of fading for the walls.

Pattern: butt or overlap?

It is not enough to find the ideal color, texture or pattern; it is important to assess the complexity of the process of adjusting the chosen decor at the purchase stage. Beauty requires sacrifice. Complex designs and unusual textures will require more time and effort during installation. The number of rolls depends on the design. Look how the selection of patterns is indicated on the wallpaper:

• Zero means that the same amount of adjustment effort will be required. Free artist style.
• Arrows located opposite each other indicate symmetrical docking. The selection is simple.
• Offset arrows mean staggered joining with the blade shifted halfway up or down. The task becomes more difficult.
• Arrows drawn in opposite directions indicate that you have chosen a rare type of wallpaper. Every second cut is glued upside down, rotated 180 degrees. This kind of installation is not easy.

Installation: quickly or delicately?

Having chosen the appropriate wallpaper and understood the pattern, study the symbols regarding installation.

• The classic method is to apply glue to the back of the canvas. It is recommended to fold the piece in half and wait 30 seconds for the glue to be evenly distributed along the length.
• A delicate method is to apply glue to the wall. This method will help avoid possible tears if the wallpaper is paper, for example. And it will ensure order in the workplace: no sticky stains on the floor.
• A quick method is to work with self-adhesive tape. To activate the adhesive, first wet the wallpaper with water.

Dismantling

To breathe new life into your living space, you first need to get rid of the old. Do it better according to science. Look for recommendations online or contact the store where you purchased the wallpaper you are removing. It is better to photograph the markings of the new canvas and save them in your phone. After all, this renovation will probably not be the last.

• The first designation refers to dry removal using a spatula.
• The second case of encryption indicates that this is a two-layer wallpaper. Only the decorative upper level is removed.
• In the third option, the walls are moistened with water before dismantling.

Additional Information

• Duplicate two-layer wallpaper with an embossed surface.
• A symbol indicating that special adhesive is required for installation.
• Symbol in retro style. Denotes the obsolete method of overlapping stickers with further removal of the wallpaper seam. Modern manufacturers do not use this designation and do not recommend the installation method that is hidden behind it.
• Anti-vandal wallpaper. They are not afraid of any rearrangements of furniture, but they will have to make an effort to remove them.

These pictograms are rare. In order not to think for a long time later about what these symbols on the wallpaper could mean, it is better to find out about their existence now. Forewarned is forearmed.

Indicating various characteristics on wallpaper in the form of icons is not a waste of time for both the manufacturer and the buyer. Manufacturers would write essays about their product themselves, but internationally there are different abbreviation standards. You just need to know about them.

Hang wallpaper and have fun! And for a family union there is no better test of strength than making repairs together. Well, will you take the risk?

Letter designation on wallpaper

Not all manufacturers write what is included in the composition and what the properties of the coating are. But the presence of letter designations is always present. The abbreviations are explained below:

The meaning of the numbers on the roll

Symbols on the label in the form of numbers also provide useful information.

Important! On each roll of wallpaper, on the packaging label there is a release date and a batch number, sometimes also called a batch number. The batch number is important for the buyer, since wallpaper from different batches may have significant color differences. Therefore, we must strive to buy rolls from the same batch. If this is not possible, rolls from different batches should be distributed on opposite walls, in which case the difference in color will be least noticeable.

How to paste wallpaper, taking into account the pattern repeat and not making mistakes

Data on the report can be found when purchasing wallpaper, which helps to make informed conclusions about which option is best to choose and make calculations. ATTENTION! When choosing a pattern repeat, you must take into account the features of the room: area, height of the walls, lighting, while you don’t have to apply rolls, but simply imagine how they will look in relation to the data of the room.

Some tips for wallpapering with rapport:

1. Buy material with a reserve, because most likely there will be a lot of trimmings due to the need to connect the pictures correctly.
2. Leave allowances on both sides of the roll for good pattern alignment.
3. When gluing wallpaper, all attention should be paid to the joints.

There should be markings on the rolls that will help to correctly position the sheets - arrows on the left or right, respectively, indicating the step of the drawing to the right or to the left, the arrow and zero indicate that there is no specific sequence. If you have any doubts about the interpretation of the marking, it is better to contact a consultant or seller.

To hang wallpaper with rapport, you do not need special preparation of the walls - they are processed in the same way as when working with regular, monochromatic colors.

The sequence of joining the pattern and applying wallpaper with an offset.

TIP: In order for the pattern on the wallpaper to be uncut, you need to divide the height of the room by the size of the repeat without any remainder:

— Roll out several rolls on the floor. — We combine one strip with another according to the pattern. — We lay out the cut canvases in two piles. - We do the same with the rest of the wallpaper sheets. — Now we glue the wallpaper alternating: the first sheet from the first stack, the second from the second, the third from the first again, the fourth from the second, etc.

It is quite possible that the repeat will be shifted - that is, the distance between the column patterns will be different, which may be intended by the manufacturer, but the fact is that recently diagonal patterns, shifted, with deliberate negligence, have become fashionable.