Wallpaper symbols: The most important pictograms clearly explained

Wallpaper symbols are often seen as cryptic symbols that may not make much sense at first glance. However, these wallpaper pictograms are designed to instantly show how to apply the wallpaper, how to remove it, and how it performs in everyday use. We've compiled the most important wallpaper symbols and explain what each one means.

Wallpaper Symbols – Key features at a glance

You’ll typically find wallpaper symbols on the packaging of a new roll, and often also printed on the back of the wallpaper itself. Before you start wallpapering, you’re likely to come across one or more of these pictograms – and that’s a good thing. These symbols provide essential guidance, such as how to apply the adhesive correctly and whether your pattern wallpaper requires an offset match. In short, they offer crucial instructions for a flawless application.

Wallpaper symbols provide information about the following features:

• Colour fastness when exposed to prolonged UV light
• Cleaning and maintenance properties
• Pattern match or offset alignment details
• Application method (how the wallpaper should be hung)
• Removability (how easily the wallpaper can be taken off the wall)

As soon as you unpack the wallpaper, you’re bound to come across the symbols.

1. Lightfastness of the wallpaper

Wallpaper symbols featuring a sun icon indicate the lightfastness of the wallpaper – in other words, how well it resists fading when exposed to prolonged UV light. High-quality paste the wall wallpapers from brands like A.S. Création, Livingwalls, and Erismann are generally very light-resistant. This means that a black wallpaper, for example, will retain its colour even after years of sunlight exposure. Since other levels of lightfastness are rarely used, we’ve listed only the two most relevant categories.

2. Cleaning the wallpaper

Wallpaper symbols featuring waves and a brush indicate the wallpaper’s washability and abrasion resistance. This is especially important in areas like wallpaper in the kitchen or hallway. For kitchens, a scrubbable wallpaper is recommended, while in less frequently used rooms, washable wallpaper is usually sufficient. Note: washability and scrub resistance are often linked to overall durability. A highly scrub-resistant wallpaper tends to be more robust than one that is merely washable, as scrub-resistant wallpapers typically have a vinyl coating that offers strong protection against impacts and abrasion.

Most wallpapers without vinyl are washable or highly washable. Most vinyl wallpapers are scrub-resistant. Highly durable wallpapers are typically found only in the range of fiberglass wallpapers used mainly in medical practices or retail stores.

3. Wallpapers with offset, straight, or no pattern repeat

When installinf floral wallpaper, jungle wallpaper, or other patterned wallpapers, the pattern repeat, or match, is essential. Many elaborate patterns require the wallpaper strips to be offset. This offset is indicated by a number (e.g., 64/32), showing after how many centimetres the pattern repeats and by how many centimetres the wallpaper needs to be shifted. Plain wallpapers have no pattern match and don’t require precise alignment. Then there are wallpapers with a straight match, such as geometric wallpaper, where the pattern continues at the same height throughout.

4. Paste on the wallpaper or on the wall?

Wallpaper symbols also indicate whether the adhesive should be applied to the wall or directly to the wallpaper. For non-woven wallpapers, paste is applied straight to the wall, which makes hanging much easier. For paper wallpapers, the paste must be applied to the back of the wallpaper strips and allowed to soak in. This method is more prone to errors, as the wet strips can tear easily. There are also pre-pasted wallpapers, where the adhesive is activated simply by spraying water, as well as self-adhesive wallpapers that only require the removal of a protective backing film.

5. Removing old wallpaper

Wallpaper symbols also provide guidance on removal. We recommend choosing non-woven wallpapers (paste the wall wallpapers), as they usually peel off the wall in one piece without soaking. Removing paper wallpapers, however, can be very laborious, as the wallpaper needs to be perforated and soaked before it can be scraped off piece by piece with a spatula. Split wallpapers are particularly practical, where after removing the top layer, a backing layer called lining paper or paintable wallpaper remains on the wall, ensuring excellent results when hanging new wallpaper.

Conclusion

It’s best to consider, when purchasing, what your wallpaper will need to withstand. In high-traffic rooms such as kitchens or hallways, a scrub-resistant wallpaper is ideal, while less durable wallpapers suffice for less frequently used rooms. When it comes to hanging your wallpaper, be sure to check the symbols regarding application and pattern match. Should the paste be applied to the wall? Have you chosen a wallpaper with an offset pattern?

We hope we’ve helped you decode the most important wallpaper symbols. For high-quality wallpapers for bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms, and more, trust BRICOFLOR, your expert in walls and floors!