Wallpaper Installation
Written October 16, 2019
There is a growing opportunity for graphic installers to expand their business into interior wall graphics. As the custom digitally printed wall graphic market has expanded over recent years, so has the need for quality installers.
Within the digital print industry, we have seen a heavy concentration of install attention given to vehicle wraps through organizations like PDAA, and several trade shows that routinely feature car wrapping demonstrations.
Wall installations are not as commonly featured, yet the number of walls being decorated with custom graphics has grown considerably in the last decade. Advancements in print technology and an increase in performance material options has opened the doorway for a much larger audience. Even as recent as 10 years ago, custom digital design for walls was limited to large clients with enormous budgets — think Vegas casinos and high-end hotel properties.
Today, budget-conscious retailers, small commercial properties, and even residential clients are taking advantage of lower production costs and numerous sources. Learning how to install graphics on interior walls is not rocket science. There are some nuances that come with experience, but for the most part, if an installer has worked with sheets of vinyl in the past, he or she should be able to pick up wallcovering techniques easily. In today’s industry, there are two predominant forms of application for wallcoverings: Self-adhesive and standard.
Self-adhesive is often referred to as “peel and stick,” or PSA (pressure-sensitive adhesive). There are a variety of options within the self-adhesive product category. Some are permanent, while others are temporary. Some temporary products can be removed cleanly from the wall without residue or damage, while others claim to be completely re-positional. Standard wallcoverings, by comparison, generally require a paste applied to the back of the material during installation.
While the glue is still wet, the material can be shifted or removed, but once dry, this becomes a permanent install. Dealing with the extra step of glue is sometimes viewed as a nuisance, especially when compared to a self-adhesive product, but in practice, it has been shown to be the most reliable method for long-term precision installs. There is a healthy demand for wall installations today.
Large- to medium-sized jobs, especially on a commercial level, will almost always involve a professional installer. There are some print companies who offer their own installation services successfully, but skilled trade people are still performing most projects. The exception to this would be very small jobs, which can potentially be taken on by the end users themselves.
For new construction, often the task of finding an installer belongs to the general contractor. For refresh projects in older properties, the task could fall to the building owner, or the company selling the goods. In any of these scenarios, someone looking for an installer will often be directed to organizations like PDAA or the National Guild of Professional Paperhangers (NGPP). In my personal experience, there is a difference in expertise between the PDAA and NGPP communities.
PDAA has a strong experience level with graphics, and by extension, a better comfort level with self-adhesive products. In contrast, the NGPP community has always been more focused on traditional wallpaper installs, which, up until recently, has meant standard methods using glue. Both communities could benefit from the other.
As there are advantages to both self-adhesive and standard install methods, I believe both will remain important techniques into the future, and I do not think one will replace the other. So, as the custom wall graphic segment continues to grow, so should the demand for each type of installation method. Members looking to take advantage of this growth should therefore become proficient in both installation techniques, maximizing their share of opportunities.
Wall installations are not as commonly featured, yet the number of walls being decorated with custom graphics has grown considerably in the last decade. Advancements in print technology and an increase in performance material options has opened the doorway for a much larger audience. Even as recent as 10 years ago, custom digital design for walls was limited to large clients with enormous budgets — think Vegas casinos and high-end hotel properties.
Today, budget-conscious retailers, small commercial properties, and even residential clients are taking advantage of lower production costs and numerous sources. Learning how to install graphics on interior walls is not rocket science. There are some nuances that come with experience, but for the most part, if an installer has worked with sheets of vinyl in the past, he or she should be able to pick up wallcovering techniques easily. In today’s industry, there are two predominant forms of application for wallcoverings: Self-adhesive and standard.
Self-adhesive is often referred to as “peel and stick,” or PSA (pressure-sensitive adhesive). There are a variety of options within the self-adhesive product category. Some are permanent, while others are temporary. Some temporary products can be removed cleanly from the wall without residue or damage, while others claim to be completely re-positional. Standard wallcoverings, by comparison, generally require a paste applied to the back of the material during installation.
While the glue is still wet, the material can be shifted or removed, but once dry, this becomes a permanent install. Dealing with the extra step of glue is sometimes viewed as a nuisance, especially when compared to a self-adhesive product, but in practice, it has been shown to be the most reliable method for long-term precision installs. There is a healthy demand for wall installations today.
Large- to medium-sized jobs, especially on a commercial level, will almost always involve a professional installer. There are some print companies who offer their own installation services successfully, but skilled trade people are still performing most projects. The exception to this would be very small jobs, which can potentially be taken on by the end users themselves.
For new construction, often the task of finding an installer belongs to the general contractor. For refresh projects in older properties, the task could fall to the building owner, or the company selling the goods. In any of these scenarios, someone looking for an installer will often be directed to organizations like PDAA or the National Guild of Professional Paperhangers (NGPP). In my personal experience, there is a difference in expertise between the PDAA and NGPP communities.
PDAA has a strong experience level with graphics, and by extension, a better comfort level with self-adhesive products. In contrast, the NGPP community has always been more focused on traditional wallpaper installs, which, up until recently, has meant standard methods using glue. Both communities could benefit from the other.
As there are advantages to both self-adhesive and standard install methods, I believe both will remain important techniques into the future, and I do not think one will replace the other. So, as the custom wall graphic segment continues to grow, so should the demand for each type of installation method. Members looking to take advantage of this growth should therefore become proficient in both installation techniques, maximizing their share of opportunities.