How to Install Wallpaper
Maker & Moss / Tempaper
How To Install
Removable Wallpaper
A peel-and-stick guide for a confident, beautiful application — no installer required.
Tempaper is a self-adhesive, repositionable removable wallpaper with a water-based adhesive — no paste, no glue, no steamer. It's designed to be applied by one person (though a second set of hands is always welcome), removed cleanly when you're ready for a change, and re-hung as often as you like. This guide covers everything from surface prep to final trim.
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What You'll Need
Tape Measure
Level or Laser Level
Pencil
Squeegee or Smoother
Craft / Utility Knife
Cutting Surface
Straight Edge / Ruler
Step Stool
Isopropyl Alcohol
Clean Cloth
Safety Pin
Scissors (optional)
01
Prepare Your Surface
Proper surface prep is the single most important factor in a successful installation. Tempaper adheres to clean, smooth walls — and releases cleanly from them, too. Take a few extra minutes here and the rest of the project will go smoothly.
Recommended Surfaces
- Satin or semi-gloss paint
- Eggshell finish
- Primed walls (fully cured)
- Smooth, clean drywall
- Furniture & cabinetry surfaces
- Tile & kitchen backsplash
- Stair risers & drawer fronts
Not Recommended
- Flat or matte paint
- Textured or heavily embossed walls
- Freshly painted surfaces (must cure fully)
- Exterior surfaces
- Glass or mirrors
- Wallpaper or existing wallcoverings
Freshly painted walls: Allow paint to cure fully before applying — curing time varies by paint type; check the label. Applying too soon can cause the wallpaper to adhere too strongly.
All surfaces: Wipe with a 1:1 solution of isopropyl alcohol and water and let dry completely before installing. This removes dust, debris, and any residue that could compromise adhesion.
02
Step-by-Step Application
1
Measure & pre-cut your panels
Measure the height of your wall and add 2 inches at the top and bottom for trimming. Pre-cut all panels before you begin hanging. Lay them out in order so you can confirm pattern alignment from panel to panel before anything goes on the wall.
2
Create a vertical guide
Walls are almost never perfectly plumb. Use a level or laser level to draw a light pencil line from ceiling to floor as your starting reference. This ensures your first panel is true vertical — and every subsequent panel follows from it.
Remove outlet covers and switch plates before starting. Turn off electricity at the source first, and restore power only after covers are fully replaced.
3
Peel back the backing & start at the top
Peel back 3–4 feet of the backing from the top of the first panel — don't remove it all at once. Align the panel at the ceiling along your vertical guide, leaving a small overhang for trimming. Take care not to pull or stretch the paper during positioning.
4
Smooth from center outward
Use your hand or a squeegee to press the wallpaper to the wall working from the center out toward the edges — this pushes air outward rather than trapping it. Continue peeling the backing away slowly as you work downward, smoothing section by section.
Air bubbles? Use a safety pin to puncture a tiny hole at the center of the bubble and gently press the air out. The pinhole is nearly invisible once the air is released.
5
Align the next panel
Tempaper is repositionable — if a panel isn't lining up, gently peel it back and reposition before pressing firmly. Butt each panel edge to edge and match the pattern repeat carefully. In rooms with temperature fluctuations, a very slight overlap at seams can prevent splitting over time.
6
Trim & finish edges
Use a fresh craft knife blade and a straight edge to trim the overhang at the ceiling, baseboard, and any corners. A dull blade will tear rather than cut cleanly — replace it if you notice any dragging. Around outlets, measure and mark the cutout, then cut with an X-Acto knife before pressing the panel flat.
No paste or glue required
Type A fire-rated
Steam & moisture resistant
No residue left behind
03
Tips for a Flawless Result
Order from the same lot. Wallpaper color can vary slightly between production runs. Order all rolls at once to ensure consistent lot numbers throughout a single room.
Order a little extra. Add at least 10% to your square footage to account for trimming and pattern-matching waste. Running short mid-project — with a different lot — is a problem worth avoiding.
Don't pull — smooth. Tempaper is vinyl and will stretch if pulled against resistance. Always hold and guide the panel gently rather than pulling at it.
Test first if uncertain. Applying to an unusual surface or an older wall? Press a small section and let it sit for 24 hours before committing to the full installation.
Cover switch plates with scraps. Use leftover wallpaper to cover outlet and switch plates for a seamless look. Apply a scrap, trim around the edges with an X-Acto knife, and reinstall.
Grab a friend for large rooms. It's easy enough to do solo, but a second person makes managing long panels and aligning pattern repeats significantly easier.
04
Removing Tempaper
When you're ready for a change — whether it's been a week or several years — Tempaper comes down without the damage or mess of traditional wallpaper. No steamer, no chemical stripper, no scoring tool.
1
Start at a corner or seam and gently lift a corner of the wallpaper with your fingers.
2
Peel back slowly at a low angle — pulling at roughly 45° or less minimizes stress on the wall surface beneath.
3
Continue peeling evenly across the width of the panel, supporting the paper as you go to keep it from tearing.
4
No residue or wall damage should remain. If the paper has been up for many years, go slowly and test a small area first.
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Common Questions
Can Tempaper be used in a bathroom or kitchen?
Yes. Tempaper is steam and moisture resistant, making it well suited for bathroom and kitchen applications. Apply to clean, smooth tile or walls with a satin or semi-gloss finish for the best adhesion.
Can it be used on textured walls?
Textured surfaces are not recommended — adhesion and removal can be unpredictable on uneven walls. If you'd like to try, order a sample first and test both adhesion and removability before committing to a full installation.
Do I need a professional installer?
No. Tempaper is designed specifically as a DIY product. If you prefer to hire someone, look for an installer with experience in vinyl signage or decal application — they'll be comfortable with the material's behavior.
How long can it stay on the wall?
Indefinitely. Tempaper can be left up as long as you like and still removed cleanly when you're ready. There's no expiration window.
What other surfaces can it be applied to?
Beyond walls, Tempaper works beautifully on furniture, bookcases, stair risers, drawer fronts, and kitchen backsplashes — any smooth, clean, appropriately painted surface.
Can I re-use Tempaper after removing it?
The adhesive weakens somewhat after removal, so re-hanging the same piece on a new wall isn't recommended. That said, repositioning during the initial installation is easy — simply peel back and re-press before the panel is fully committed.