Wallpaper Material Guide

How Each Paper Texture and Finish Looks on Your Wall

Dipan Patel

The right wallpaper material depends on the look you want and the room it goes in. Standard Paper suits simple matte walls, and Canvas Paper adds an artistic fabric feel. Gold Line and Metallic Pearl bring quiet luxury. For bathrooms, rented flats and kids' rooms, pick Peel & Stick or Peel & Stick Fabric.

This wallpaper material guide covers all eight papers Giffywalls prints on in India. You'll see how each one looks, feels and behaves at home. We also answer the questions our customers ask most, from monsoon damp in Mumbai to rented flats in Bengaluru.

The same print can look calm on one paper and rich on another. Texture and finish change how a design feels. That's why the paper matters as much as the print.

What are the eight wallpaper materials at Giffywalls?

Giffywalls India prints every design on eight materials, from 200 to 300 GSM. Six are paste papers: Standard, Canvas, Premium, Brush Stroke, Gold Line and Metallic Pearl. Two are self-adhesive: Peel & Stick and Peel & Stick Fabric. Four of the eight are PVC-free.

Everyday paste papers

  • Standard Paper: 200 GSM, smooth matte, PVC-free, ceiling safe
  • Canvas Paper: 200 GSM, fabric canvas base, matte, tear resistant
  • Premium Paper: 260 GSM, feather finish, scratch resistant

Textured and decorative paste papers

  • Brush Stroke: 240 GSM, stroke textured, natural white matte
  • Gold Line: 280 GSM, golden threads on natural fiber, PVC-free
  • Metallic Pearl: 240 GSM, pearl luster, PVC-free, ceiling safe

Self-adhesive papers

  • Peel & Stick: 280 GSM, grain texture, bathroom safe
  • Peel & Stick Fabric: 300 GSM, woven fabric surface, PVC-free

You pick the design first. Then you enter your wall size and choose the material on the product page. The rest of this wallpaper material guide explains each one in detail.

Standard, Canvas or Premium Paper, which everyday option suits you?

Standard Paper is the simplest choice. Its smooth matte finish is PVC-free and ceiling safe. Canvas Paper has a fabric canvas base, so designs feel like painted art. Premium Paper is the thickest of the three at 260 GSM, with a feather finish and superior durability.

Standard Paper is 200 GSM with a smooth matte surface. It's printed with non-toxic inks and is scratch resistant. It suits bedrooms, study rooms and large walls. Let the design do the talking.

Canvas Paper is also 200 GSM, but its fabric canvas base changes the feel. Designs look like art printed on canvas. It's tear resistant and sponge cleanable, so it works well in living rooms.

Premium Paper is 260 GSM with a feather finish. It feels more substantial on the wall than the other two. It's scratch resistant and sponge cleanable, so it's a good pick for busy family homes.

Matte finish or pearl luster finish, which should you choose?

A matte finish looks flat, calm and even from every angle. A pearl luster finish has a smooth, pearl-toned surface that adds quiet depth to the design. At Giffywalls, Standard Paper, Canvas Paper and Brush Stroke give a matte look. Metallic Pearl gives the pearl luster finish.

Matte keeps the focus fully on the design. It suits study rooms, pooja corners and simple, calm interiors.

Pearl luster is more refined. Think of the colour and smooth feel of a pearl. It adds quiet richness while staying elegant.

Here's a simple rule. Want the room to feel calm? Go matte. Want one wall to feel like the highlight? Go pearl.

Matte finish or pearl luster finish

How does Gold Line wallpaper look in real life?

Gold Line looks subtle rather than flashy. It's a 280 GSM non-woven paper with fine golden threads running over a natural fiber base. From across the room, the wall looks warm and textured. Up close, the thin gold lines become clear, especially under warm lighting.

The gold changes with the time of day:

  • In daylight: the threads look light and delicate, and the base texture shows more than the gold.
  • Under warm white lights: the gold tone looks warmer and richer.
  • Under cool white lights: the gold looks paler and less noticeable.

If your living room mostly uses cool white LED panels, add one warm lamp nearby. The gold tone looks warmer and richer that way.

Gold Line is PVC-free and suits both homes and commercial spaces. For formal living and dining rooms, it pairs well with rich designs from our luxurious wallpaper collection.

Gold Line wallpaper look

What does Brush Stroke texture feel like on the wall?

Brush Stroke feels like a painted canvas under your hand. The 240 GSM paper has a polyester fabric surface with raised stroke lines and a textile back. Its natural white matte finish means the raised texture alone gives the wall its depth.

As textured wallpaper goes, it's one of the most tactile options. The raised ridges give the surface real depth. So a plain design suddenly looks layered. It suits Japandi, boho and classic Indian interiors equally well.

If you love depth on walls, our textured wallpaper designs show how pattern and surface work together.

Brush Stroke texture feel

Does Brush Stroke hide uneven walls?

Yes, it hides small flaws well. The raised strokes draw the eye to the texture, so minor dents and hairline marks are hard to spot. It can't hide deep cracks, bumps or damp patches. Fill and smooth those first, then install.

Some designs create depth with print alone. For that look, read how 3D wallpaper adds depth and dimension to a room.

Brush Stroke hide uneven walls

Is Metallic Pearl wallpaper too flashy for a bedroom or living room?

No. Metallic Pearl has a subtle pearl tone and a smooth finish that feels refined rather than loud. It's a 240 GSM non-woven paper with vibrant colours that is PVC-free and scratch resistant. It works best on one accent wall, with fabric and wood nearby.

In a bedroom, the headboard wall is the natural spot. Its gentle pearl tone keeps the room calm and restful. For layout ideas, browse these cosy bedroom wallpaper designs.

In a living room, balance matters. Cotton sofas, jute rugs and wooden furniture balance the pearl tone and stop the wall from feeling busy. Our living room wallpaper inspirations show how to style a single focal wall.

Prefer a completely flat look? Pick Standard Paper or Brush Stroke instead.

Peel & Stick vs Peel & Stick Fabric, what is the difference?

Both are self-adhesive and stick without glue. Peel & Stick is 280 GSM with a fine grain texture and a clean, smooth look, and it's bathroom safe. Peel & Stick Fabric is 300 GSM with a woven, cloth-like surface, and it's PVC-free.

Peel & Stick feels smooth with a light grain. It looks modern and neat. You can reposition it while fixing, which helps first-time installers.

Peel & Stick Fabric feels like woven cloth. It looks warmer and more textured on the wall. At 300 GSM, it's also the thickest of our eight papers.

Choose Peel & Stick for bathrooms and quick updates. Choose the fabric version for bedrooms and living rooms where texture matters. Both suit designs from our temporary wallpaper collection.

Peel & Stick vs Peel & Stick Fabric

Which wallpaper material suits Indian humidity and monsoon dampness?

Peel & Stick is the safest pick for wet zones because it's marked bathroom safe. All eight materials suit bedrooms and living rooms. No material survives seepage, though. Homes in Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi and Kolkata should let walls dry fully after the monsoon before installing.

  • Bathrooms: use Peel & Stick, away from direct shower splashes.
  • Kitchens: use Peel & Stick on walls away from the stove and sink.
  • Bedrooms and living rooms: any of the eight papers works.

Check the wall before you check the paper. A wall that feels cold or smells musty after rain needs waterproofing first.

For wet-area design ideas, see our bathroom wallpaper collection.

Which wallpaper is PVC-free and safe for kids' rooms?

Four Giffywalls papers are PVC-free: Standard Paper, Gold Line, Metallic Pearl and Peel & Stick Fabric. For a child's room, Peel & Stick Fabric is the most practical because it peels off cleanly later. Standard Paper is the best paste option, with non-toxic inks and a scratch resistant surface.

Metallic Pearl is another good choice. Its scratch resistant surface handles pencils, toys and busy hands better than textured papers.

Parents in Pune and Hyderabad often change themes every few years. Removable paper makes that easy. Find playful designs in our children wallpaper collection.

Will Peel & Stick damage paint in a rented flat?

Usually not. Both Peel & Stick papers are fully removable and renter friendly. Peeled slowly at a low angle, they lift away from sound, well-cured paint cleanly. Fresh, chalky or flaking paint is the main risk, so test a small piece in a hidden corner first.

A few things raise the risk:

  • Fresh paint: wait about four weeks after painting before you apply.
  • Old, chalky paint: loose paint may lift with the paper.
  • Fast removal: pulling quickly at a steep angle stresses the paint.

Leave your test piece for a few days, then peel it. If the paint stays put, you're ready. More care and removal answers are on our wallpaper FAQs page.

Which material is best for ceilings?

Two Giffywalls materials are marked ceiling safe: Standard Paper and Metallic Pearl. Standard Paper keeps a ceiling simple with its smooth matte finish. Metallic Pearl's subtle pearl tone gives it a refined, finished look. Both are paste papers, so hire a professional installer for any ceiling.

Ceilings work well in bedrooms and home theatres. A plain surface or a light sky design keeps the room from feeling heavy.

Before booking an installer, read our step-by-step installation guide so you know how the surface should be prepared.

Which material looks the most premium?

Gold Line gives the most luxurious look, thanks to fine golden threads on a natural fiber base. Metallic Pearl looks the most refined with its pearl-toned finish. Brush Stroke and Canvas Paper give the richest texture. Premium Paper offers the most durable everyday finish of the paste papers.

  • Quiet luxury: Gold Line, for living rooms and dining areas.
  • Refined pearl tone: Metallic Pearl, for bedrooms, entrances and ceilings.
  • Artistic texture: Brush Stroke or Canvas Paper, for accent walls and art-led designs.
  • Durable everyday finish: Premium Paper, for busy family rooms.
  • Premium look, rental friendly: Peel & Stick Fabric.

In Ahmedabad and Jaipur homes with traditional designs, Gold Line is a popular way to add richness.

How does each finish change the colours of a design?

Finish changes how colours look. Matte papers like Standard Paper and Brush Stroke keep colours calm and slightly deeper. Canvas Paper gives colours a painted, artistic feel. Metallic Pearl adds a gentle pearly depth, and Gold Line adds warmth. Peel & Stick keeps colours closest to the original print.

  • Standard Paper (smooth matte): colours look clean and even.
  • Canvas Paper (fabric based): designs look like art printed on canvas.
  • Premium Paper (feather finish): colours look crisp over a fine surface texture.
  • Brush Stroke (stroke textured): deep reds look richer, and pastels look powdery.
  • Gold Line (golden threads): whites look creamier, and cool blues look warmer.
  • Metallic Pearl (pearl luster): colours look vibrant, with a gentle pearl tone.
  • Peel & Stick (grain): colours stay true, with a clean look.
  • Peel & Stick Fabric (woven): fine lines look gentler, like printed cloth.

This matters most for large, detailed designs like landscapes, florals and Pichwai art. If exact colour matters, use the Buy Sample button on any product page. Check the sample on your wall in daylight and again at night.

Which material is easiest to clean with kids or pets at home?

Metallic Pearl, Premium Paper and Standard Paper are the easiest to keep looking new because they're scratch resistant. Canvas Paper and Premium Paper are also sponge cleanable. Peel & Stick wipes clean with a damp cloth. Textured papers like Brush Stroke hold more dust, so dab them gently.

  1. Dust with a dry microfibre cloth once a week.
  2. Use a lightly damp sponge or cloth for fresh marks.
  3. Skip harsh cleaners and hard scrubbing.
  4. Keep textured papers off low walls near pets, because claws can catch on the ridges.

Frequently asked questions

Can I order a sample before buying the full size?

Yes. Every product page on Giffywalls India has a Buy Sample button. Choose the material you're considering and order a sample. Hold it on your wall in morning light and under your evening lights. It's the easiest way to judge texture, finish and colour before you commit to a full wall.

Which papers need glue during installation?

Six of our eight papers are paste papers: Standard, Canvas, Premium, Brush Stroke, Gold Line and Metallic Pearl. They need wallpaper glue when fixed. Peel & Stick and Peel & Stick Fabric don't need glue, because the adhesive is already on the back. Choose those for a quick, no-mess update.

Which paper suits an office, café or showroom?

Gold Line is made for both commercial and residential spaces, so it suits reception walls and showrooms. Peel & Stick is commercial grade and easy to replace, which helps cafés that refresh often. For busy corridors, Premium Paper's superior durability and scratch resistant surface handle bags and chair backs well.

Can I install these papers myself?

You can install Peel & Stick and Peel & Stick Fabric yourself. They're repositionable, so small mistakes are easy to fix. The six paste papers need more care with glue and alignment. For those, and for any ceiling, a trained fitter gives a cleaner, more even finish.

Choosing your paper

Standard Paper keeps things simple. Canvas Paper and Brush Stroke bring artistic texture. Premium Paper adds everyday durability. Gold Line gives quiet luxury, and Metallic Pearl gives a refined pearl tone. The two Peel & Stick options give freedom to change your mind.

Still unsure after reading this wallpaper material guide? Order two or three samples and tape them side by side. Look at them for a few days. The right paper usually becomes obvious.

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