What is pattern repeat and drop size?
Pattern repeat refers to the horizontal alignment of two adjacent strips of wallpaper. Properly following the pattern repeat is crucial to ensure correct hanging and avoid disappointing outcomes. There are three types of pattern matches for wallpaper: free/random match, straight match, and offset match.
Free Match
With a free/random match, the wallpaper pattern is random, and matching at the seams is not necessary.
Straight Match
Straight match involves matching the pattern in a horizontal line across adjacent strips.
(Half) Drop Match
A half-drop match is simply a straight match split in half. Every other strip is the same at the ceiling line and the design elements run diagonally. It takes three strips to repeat the vertical design. If you numbered the strips consecutively, the odd numbered strips (1, 3, 5 and so on) would be identical and the even numbered strips (2, 4, 6, and so on) would match one another. Mostly used is half-drop, but also other drop percentages are possible, called ‘Multiple drop Match’.
Multiple drop Match
Multiple drop Match is a match that takes four or more strips before the vertical design is repeated. Similar to drop match except it takes more strips to repeat the first strip.
How much wallpaper do I need?
We strongly recommend to always order a little bit more than you need. You can make mistakes when wallpapering, or in time some damage may occur on your walls. In these circumstances it’s handy to have some extra wallpaper ready. On reorder, colors might slightly differ and we are not liable for these color differences between batches. The amount of wallpaper you need depends on the pattern repeat and drop size of your chosen pattern.
Calculate wallpaper
Wallpaper with a pattern with a straight match
In the following example, the wall is 420 cm wide and 270 cm high. The roll of wallpaper is 48.7 cm wide and 10 meters long. The pattern repeat is 32 cm.
Step 1: Calculate the number of strips of wallpaper needed
Measure the width of the wall or walls.
Divide the width of the wall by the width of the roll and round up the result.
This will give you the number of strips you need.
420 cm (wall width) : 48.7 cm (roll width) = 8.62 strips.
Rounded up, you will need 9 strips.
Step 2: Calculate the number of patterns per roll of wallpaper
Divide the length of the roll by the pattern repeat and round down the result.
This will give you the number of patterns per roll.
1000 cm (10 m.) (roll length) : 32 cm (pattern repeat) = 31.25 patterns.
In this example you get 31 patterns from 1 roll of wallpaper.
Step 3: Calculate the number of patterns per strip
Divide the height of the wall by the pattern repeat and round up the result.
270 cm (wall height) : 32 cm (pattern repeat) = 8.4 patterns.
Rounded up, this is 9 patterns per strip.
Step 4: The number of strips you get from a roll
Divide the number of patterns per roll (outcome step 2) by the number of patterns per strip (outcome step 3) and round down the result.
31 patterns (on the roll) : 9 patterns (per strip) = 3.44 strips.
So you get 3 strips from a roll of wallpaper.
Step 5: The number of rolls needed
Divide the outcome of Step 1 by Step 4 and round up.
This will give you the number of rolls needed.
You need 9 strips of wallpaper for the entire wall (Outcome Step 1).
You will get 3 strips from 1 roll of wallpaper. (Outcome Step 4)
9 strips (total number of strips) : 3 strips (number of strips per roll) = 3 rolls
Wallpaper with a pattern with a half drop
In the following example, the wall is 420 cm wide and 270 cm high.
The roll of wallpaper is 48.7 cm wide and 10 meters long. The pattern repeat is 32 cm, half drop.
Step 1: Calculate the number of strips of wallpaper needed
Begin by measuring the width of your wall or walls. Next, divide this width by the width of a single wallpaper roll, rounding up the result to determine the number of strips needed.
240 cm (wall width) : 48.7 cm (roll width) = 8.62 strips.
Rounded up, you will need 9 strips.
Step 2: Calculate the number of patterns per strip of wallpaper
Divide the height of the wall by the pattern repeat, rounding up to establish the number of patterns per strip.
270 cm (wall height) : 32 cm (pattern repeat) = 8.4 patterns.
Rounded up, this is 9 patterns per strip.
Step 3: Visualize the Strip Layout
With half-drop patterns, every second strip requires an additional pattern. Create a simple sketch showing the strips and the number of patterns needed for each. Above the first strip, indicate how many patterns you need. On every 2nd strip add one pattern.
Every first strip has 9 patterns, each 2nd strip has 10 patterns, etc.
Step 4: Calculate the number of patterns per roll
Divide the length of the roll by the pattern repeat and round down the result.
This will give you the number of patterns per roll.
10 meters (roll length) : 32 cm (pattern repeat) = 31.25 patterns.
In this example you will get 31 patterns from 1 roll of wallpaper.
Step 5: The number of strips you get from a roll
Divide the number of patterns per roll (outcome step 4) by the number of patterns per strip (outcome step 3) and round down the result. The sketch you made in Step 3 will help you visualize how many patterns go into a strip and how many strips you need.
31 patterns (on the roll) : 9 patterns (per strip) = 3.44 strips
31 patterns (on the roll) : 10 patterns (per strip) = 3.1 strip
For both the even and each odd strip, you get 3 strips from a roll of wallpaper.
Step 6: The required number of rolls
Finally, divide the result from Step 1 (total strips needed) by the result from Step 5 (strips per roll) and round up to find out how many rolls are necessary for your project.You need 9 strips of wallpaper for the entire wall (Outcome Step 1). You will get 3 strips from 1 roll of wallpaper. (Outcome Step 5) 9 strips (total number of strips) : 3 strips (number of strips per roll) = 3 rolls
Before you start wallpapering
Please exercise caution when installing your wallpaper or when enlisting the services of a professional installer, as we cannot reimburse installation fees for tradespeople or third parties, nor can we assume responsibility for any installation errors. All of our wallpapers are designed for ‘Paste The Wall’ application, meaning the decorator should apply adhesive to the wall and not directly to the wallpaper itself.
We recommend using a premium-quality tub adhesive or an equivalent high-quality pH-neutral, solvent-free adhesive with fungicide protection, in a light-grade consistency. Avoid using self-mix adhesives, as they are not suitable for our products. All-purpose and heavy-duty pastes are also not recommended.
Please be careful to prevent adhesive from coming into contact with the printed surface of the wallpaper. If accidental contact occurs, gently remove it with a clean, dry sponge.
Prior to wallpaper installation, it is crucial to prepare the surfaces thoroughly
• Ensure that the surfaces are clean, smooth, and dry. Remove any pre-existing wallcoverings, loose paint, or dirt. Additionally, fill any holes or cracks and make sure they are smoothed down.
• For painted surfaces, use sandpaper to roughen the surface, creating a good key for adhesion. If you encounter powdery or flaky areas on the walls, carefully scrape them clean and apply an oil-based primer. Allow the primer to dry completely before proceeding.
• If your walls have been freshly plastered, it’s important to ensure they are adequately sealed before wallpaper application.
Wallpaper Hanging Guide
Supplies
• Wallpaper glue for non-woven wallpaper (preferably ready-to-use)
• Glue roller and brush
• Seam roller
• Wallpaper ruler
• Sharp utility knife
• Soft cloth
Step 1: Preferably use ready-to-use wallpaper glue for non-woven wallpaper. It is important that the wallpaper glue does not contain too much moisture. Apply glue to the wall with a roller. Use a brush to apply glue in the corners the ceiling and floor. Apply approx. 15 cm more glue than the width of the wallpaper. Make sure you don’t use too much glue. Moisture can cause the wallpaper to shrink slightly. This can cause open seams between the strips of wallpaper when the glue has dried.
Step 2: Cut the first panel of wallpaper on the right height. Make sure you have some extra wallpaper that you can cut away later at the top and near the floor. Apply the wallpaper directly to the wall. Paste the wallpaper first at the top and let the rest of the panel hang down loose from the wall. Check that the wallpaper hangs straight. Use a soft cloth to smooth out the wallpaper. Press the panel from the inside out and from top to bottom. You can use a seam roller to press the seams.
Step 3: Notice the pattern repeat and cut your next panel accordingly with some extra at top and bottom. Again, paste the wallpaper first at the top and let the rest of the panel hang down loose from the wall. Check that the wallpaper hangs straight and properly connects with the first panel. The panels should be glued tightly together. Use a soft cloth to smooth out the wallpaper. Press the panel from the inside out and from top to bottom. You can use a seam roller to press the seams.
Step 4: Cut the wallpaper to size along the ceiling, baseboards and window frames. This is best done with a wallpaper ruler and a Stanley knife. Wipe any excess glue with a damp cloth from the wallpaper before the glue dries.
Tip: When installing dark colored wallpaper, take extra care. You might consider coloring the edges of dark wallpaper with a decorative crayon for a professional finish with no visible seams. For best results, paint the wall dark where the seams meet and keep the seams tight.