Before you start
- This is a knife-based project. Use a sharp craft knife or NT cutter carefully.
- Work on a cutting mat and keep fingers clear of the blade.
- Take your time when applying wallpaper to avoid air bubbles.
What you will need
- An old wallpaper sample book
- Craft knife / NT cutter
- Sturdy boards (foam board, cardboard, or reused signage boards)
- Double-sided tape (any width works; ±20 mm is convenient)
- Cutting mat
- A clean, flat workspace
Step-by-step instructions
To watch a video on how to make this you can find it on out youtube channel here.
Step 1: Review the wallpaper book
Flip through the entire wallpaper book and decide whether the designs and textures will work for your products. Look for:
- Plain or subtle textures for bright or colourful products
- Bold or patterned designs for neutral or low-colour products
Once you are confident the book will work, move on to preparing the pages.
Step 2: Remove the wallpaper pages
Using a craft knife:
- Slice the pages close to the spine
- Remove all pages so they are loose and easy to work with
Keep the pages flat and clean, ready for mounting.
Step 3: Prepare your boards
Take your boards and apply double-sided tape:
- Run tape all the way around the outer perimeter
- Press it down firmly
- Add a cross through the middle of the board
This centre cross is important—it prevents the wallpaper from lifting later.
Step 4: Peel the tape backing
Carefully peel off the protective layer from the double-sided tape.
This can be fiddly, but make sure all edges and the centre cross are exposed before moving on.
Step 5: Apply the wallpaper
- Hold the wallpaper sheet slightly at an angle
- Start pressing it down gradually, rather than laying it flat all at once
This helps prevent trapped air bubbles. - Smooth the paper as you go, working from one side to the other
If it goes wrong, peel it off and try again—this step often takes practice.
Step 6: Trim the excess
- Turn the board face down
- Place it on a cutting mat
- Use the edge of the board as a guide to trim off excess wallpaper with a craft knife
This gives you a clean, professional edge.
Step 7: Create a variety of backgrounds
Repeat the process with different wallpaper designs:
- Plain colours
- Brick or textured patterns
- Bold prints (florals, typography, graphic designs)
The more variety you make, the more flexible your photo setup becomes.
Step 8: Set up your photo area
- Find a simple space indoors or outdoors
- Lean the boards against a stable object (a bin, wall, or box works well)
- Swap boards in and out to see which background best suits each product
Step 9: Style and photograph your products
Arrange your products on or in front of the boards and start photographing.
- Stable products are easiest to work with
- Small or lightweight items may need a bit of patience
Experiment with angles, lighting, and background combinations for best results.
For more information on this project and others contact us.
To watch a video on how to make this you can find it on out youtube channel here.