Short answer: Non-woven wallpaper is wallpaper on a backing made from a sheet of cellulose and textile fibres bound together, rather than ordinary paper. The backing stays dimensionally stable when wet, so paste is applied to the wall and the strip is hung without soaking.
What two sources say about Non-woven wallpaper
| Source page | Publisher | What the page says |
|---|---|---|
| Wallcovering Dictionary: Industry Terms From A to Z | Wallcovering Installers Association | Defines a non-woven substrate as made on a paper machine from cellulose pulp and textile fibres with binders. It stays dimensionally stable when wet, which allows the paste-the-wall method. |
| Tapete (German Wikipedia, Vliestapete section) | Wikipedia (German edition) | Describes non-woven wallpaper as having a breathable backing of cellulose and textile fibres that is dimensionally stable, needs no soaking time, and can be pasted directly on the wall. Also notes it can bridge small cracks and comes smooth, embossed or printed. |
Key points
- The backing is made on a paper machine from long cellulose pulp fibres and textile fibres held together with binders. [1, 2]
- It stays dimensionally stable when wet, so it needs no soaking time. [1, 2]
- Because of this stability it can be hung by the paste-the-wall method, with paste applied directly to the wall. [1, 2]
- The German article calls the backing breathable and durable, and says it can bridge small cracks and plaster joints. [2]
- Surfaces range from smooth to coarsely embossed, and printed versions exist. [2]
Non-woven wallpaper compared with Self-adhesive (peel and stick) wallpaper
| Aspect | Non-woven wallpaper | Self-adhesive (peel and stick) wallpaper | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it is hung | Paste is applied to the wall and the dry strip is hung. | Adhesive back is activated by removing a protective film, so no separate paste is needed. | [1, 2] |
| What defines it | Defined by its backing: a fibre sheet made of cellulose and textile fibres with binders. | Defined by its adhesive back and protective film. | [1, 2] |
| Typical suitability | Can bridge small cracks and plaster joints. | Described as suited to temporary designs and rented flats; adhesion depends strongly on the surface and room conditions. | [2] |
Where sources differ
Neither source gives a single fixed fibre recipe, and the German article is a Wikipedia page, so Wikipedia is used once and the trade glossary supplies the second publisher. Neither source says whether the printed face is vinyl or another coating, so that is not claimed here.
Questions to ask a supplier about Non-woven wallpaper
- [ ] What is the backing made of, and what is the fibre mix?
- [ ] Is the surface printed directly on the non-woven, or is it coated with another layer?
- [ ] Is it meant for paste-the-wall or paste-the-paper hanging, and which paste do you recommend?
- [ ] How is the paper removed later, for example dry-strippable?
- [ ] What flame-spread or washability data is available for the specific product?
Read next on this site
- Peel-and-stick vs non-woven wallpaper: which fits your customer
- Wallpaper Buyer Guide: Peel-and-Stick vs Non-Woven
- Private label wallpaper, made under your label
More terms and explainers
- Peel and stick wallpaper
- Wallpaper roll
- Sublimation
- How to Read a Product Spec Sheet Before You Approve It
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Sources: [1] Wallcovering Installers Association, fetched 2026-11-12; [2] Wikipedia (German edition), fetched 2026-11-12. As of 2026-11-12. General information, not legal, customs or tax advice. Wording is paraphrased from the pages linked; your written quote and contract govern.