Digital Print Wallcovering Installation Guidelines

Before You Begin

WG Customs Lab provides specific installation instructions for each digital print wallcovering project, in addition to these general guidelines. Installation deviating from recommendations is at the installer's sole risk, voiding Wolf-Gordon's warranty protections.

Installers must verify the accuracy of all rolls and panel breakdowns upon receipt. Lay out each panel before installation to ensure precise alignment and color matching between panels, confirming the design intent. Check Panel 1 alignment with Panel 2, then Panel 2 with Panel 3, and so on, verifying color consistency. Contact WG Customs Lab immediately if any defects are found during this process or installation. WG Customs Lab will replace defective wallcovering per its Digital Print Wallcovering Limited and Exclusive Warranty. For questions, contact WG Customs Lab before proceeding.

Surface Preparation

All hanging surfaces must be clean, smooth, dry, undamaged, and structurally intact, free of mold, mildew, grease, or stains. Remove all loose paint and old wallcoverings. If moisture is present, identify and eliminate the source(s) and ensure all wall surfaces are completely dry before proceeding. Installation is prohibited unless the installation and storage areas maintain a temperature above 65°F (18°C) for at least 48 hours prior to installation.

Moisture infiltration can lead to mold or mildew growth and must be corrected before wallcovering installation. Use a moisture meter to confirm walls have no more than 4% residual moisture content. Consult a qualified professional if unsure about moisture issues. This product is intended for buildings designed and maintained to prevent moisture infiltration, condensation, and accumulation, especially in warm, humid climates. Walls should be treated with bleach, Lysol®, or other approved mildew-inhibiting products. Wolf-Gordon is not responsible for performance or quality issues if moisture problems are not addressed before installation or if the building is not properly maintained to prevent future moisture infiltration.

Proper surface preparation is crucial for excellent results. Prime all surfaces with a universal, white-pigmented, mold-inhibiting wallcovering primer. For perforated wallcoverings, use a high-quality permeable primer with matching adhesive. For new drywall, apply a coat of wallcovering primer before applying the wallcovering. Use a primer that dries to a solid color to conceal drywall joints.

Use only a graphite pencil for marking walls and the back of the wallcovering. Do not use ballpoint pens or markers, as they may bleed through the surface.

Adhesive Application

Use a premixed, premium quality, heavy-duty clear adhesive, preferably one containing a mildew inhibitor. For perforated wallcoverings, use a high-quality permeable adhesive with the permeable primer. Do not dilute the adhesive. Apply the recommended adhesive to the back of the wallcovering using a pasting machine or paint roller, ensuring complete coverage, especially near the edges. For successful installation, fold each end toward the middle, pasted sides together, aligning edges carefully to prevent drying (booking). CAUTION: Do not crease the wallcovering. Allow the material to "relax" for ten minutes for adhesive penetration.

Installation

Digital print wallcoverings are designed for straight hang/straight match application. Follow the provided panel breakdown for proper installation. Layouts include bleed information based on wall size. Each panel should overlap 5/8" on joining edges.

For continuous designs, align the pattern at eye level to allow any drift to run off towards the ceiling and floor. The standard allowance for drift is 1/4" up or down. Aligning the pattern at the ceiling can cause larger gaps later. Contact WG Customs Lab for pattern alignment questions. Ensure the first panel drop is square on the wall using a plumb line and level. Typically, an additional 3" is added to the left edge of the first panel, and 2" to the top and bottom. This means the design starts approximately 3" from the left edge and 2" down from the ceiling.

Avoid rubbing or burnishing the face of the material. Use a wallcovering brush or plastic scraper to smooth the wallcovering onto the wall. For optimal durability, consider a topcoat to protect the pattern from stains and abrasion. If perforating the vinyl, apply a coating before perforation for optimal breathability and permeability.

Do not let vinyl adhesive dry on the surface, as it can leave a white residue. Wash off excess paste from the face of the wallcovering with a cellulose sponge while hanging. Rinse the sponge in clean water after each use and blot the wallcovering dry with a clean cloth.

Place the second drop 1" over the edge of the first panel. Tape seams before overlapping and double-cutting to prevent adhesive contact with the wallcovering. If paste contacts vinyl, clean immediately with clean warm water and blot dry with a lintless towel. Use a soft bristle brush to clean paste residue from the ceiling and baseboard. Do not leave overlaps on seams, as vinyl will not adhere to itself. Seams must be vertical, tight-fitting, and free from air and paste bubbles. Seams should be at least 6" from any corner.

After smoothing each panel and removing excess paste, examine for alignment and color uniformity. Report any objectionable variations in color match or pattern match to WG Customs Lab for inspection before proceeding.

After installation, monitor walls and wallcovering for potential moisture or vapor infiltration/accumulation. Promptly eliminate any such issues to reduce the risk of mold/mildew growth.

Note: These are general guidelines. Digital print wallcovering installations must follow specific instructions included with each shipment. The installer is ultimately responsible for proper installation and jobsite condition evaluation.

Maintenance

Digital print wallcovering cleans easily with warm water and mild soap or detergent using a cellulose sponge. Remove surface stains and adhesive promptly to prevent reactions between colorants and the wallcovering. For difficult stains, use a non-abrasive, low-VOC liquid household cleaner. Clean from the bottom of the wall upwards to protect the baseboard and prevent scratches. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and a cellulose sponge from top to bottom. Blot dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. Materials like gum, asphalt, crayons, paint, or nail polish should be carefully scraped off before further cleaning attempts. Always test cleaners in a discreet area. Rinse the wall thoroughly after applying any detergent. Avoid steel wool, abrasive powders, solvent-based cleaners (e.g., acetone, tar/insect removers), or high-alcohol cleaners (over 50%). Repeated use of stronger cleaners can extract plasticizers, causing the wallcovering to fail and lose flexibility.