Do you need to prime drywall before wallpapering?

Dear Arvid,

priming is a crucial step to prepare the surface for better adhesion of wallpaper and to ensure a smooth and even finish. That is why I always recommend that our customers prime their drywall before wallpapering. Let me answer your question more in details:

Should I prime my drywalls before wallpapering?

Yes, priming your drywalls before installing wallpaper is definitely a good idea. Almost every decorating professional will recommend it for a variety of reasons:

Priming seals the surface
Drywalls tend to be porous; their surface absorbs the wallpapering paste, making it difficult for the wallpaper to stick to the wall properly. Priming creates a sealed surface that ensures a strong bond as it prevents the adhesive from being absorbed by the porous surface.

Priming evens wall absorption
Different areas of your walls might absorb moisture differently. A primer coat creates an even surface by sealing all areas. This prevents the wallpaper from expanding or contracting unevenly, reducing the risk of open seals, air bubbles, or peeling.

It creates that smooth finish you hope to achieve
Primer will help you smooth out minor imperfections on the surface of the drywall, such as small dents, cracks, or bumps, creating a more professional-looking finish. Please note that if the surface is too uneven or the dents too noticeable, a coat of primer will not be enough to hide the imperfections. If this is the case, you need to put up lining paper first to even out the surface.

It improves adhesion
Primer provides a far better surface for the wallpaper adhesive to hold onto than bare drywalls, reducing the risk of the wallpaper coming away from the wall over time.

It prevents stains from appearing
If your drywall is less than pristine, a coat of primer will help prevent any existing stains or discolorations from “bleeding through” and affecting the final appearance of the wallpapered wall.

Will priming the drywalls make my wallpaper easier to remove?

Absolutely! This is a very important reason why priming the surface before wallpapering is important. If you don’t apply a primer on your drywall, the surface of the wall will absorb and bond with the adhesive. In other words: the paste soaks into the drywall itself (i.e. not the primer). When it is time to remove the wallpaper, it will have chunks of drywall attached to it. You are likely to be left with a damaged wall that will need repair work. Trust me on this: Don’t take shortcuts that you will regret in a few years!

Which primer should I choose?

When choosing a primer for your drywall, I recommend opting for a solvent-free deep primer. This type of primer is water-based and it’s the best option for interior walls as it is odourless and does not require any specific protective measures during application.

Should the primer be colourless?

It depends on the colour of the walls and the type of wallpaper you plan to hang. If your wall is evenly coloured and you are planning to install a thick wallpaper, you can pick a colourless deep primer.
If your walls are not evenly coloured and you want to hang non-woven or other thin wallpapers, you should opt for a white, pigmented deep primer to even out colour differences.

Your wallpaper expert
Isabel