The surface check to do before ordering a peel-and-stick mural

Peel-and-stick film is sold on the promise that anyone can put it up, which is true — on the right wall. On the wrong wall it lifts at the corners within days and no amount of pressing fixes it.

The five-minute check

• Texture. Run your palm across the wall. Sand-finish, textured or rough plaster will not hold film; smooth putty or a smooth painted surface will.
• Age of the paint. Fresh paint keeps releasing solvent. Allow roughly three weeks after painting before applying film.
• Damp. Press a piece of tape on the wall and pull it off after an hour. If it comes away with no grip at all, the wall is holding moisture.
• Dust. Wipe the wall down and let it dry completely. Fine plaster dust is the most common cause of edges lifting.

Measuring

Measure the wall in three places — floors and ceilings are rarely parallel — and order for the largest. Print colour can vary slightly between production runs, so buy the whole wall in one order rather than adding a panel later.

Applying

Two people, top down, peeling the backing about 20 cm at a time and smoothing from the centre outward. Bubbles pushed to an edge disappear; bubbles trapped in the middle do not.

One thing to note before you order

Once the backing is peeled and the film is on a wall the item cannot be returned — it cannot be sold again. Ask us before ordering if you are unsure about your surface; we would rather answer the question than process a return we cannot accept.