Materials Info

Printed Wall Mural Materials

Compare printed wall mural materials: permanent adhesive, removable, fabric, and wallpaper options.

Choosing the Right Wall Mural Material

Your choice of wall mural material affects installation method, permanence, durability, and the final look of your custom printed mural. We offer four material options, each designed for specific applications and preferences. This guide helps you select the best material for your project.

All our mural materials are printed at our US facility using eco-friendly, low-VOC inks. Every material accepts high-resolution printing with vibrant colors and sharp details. The difference lies in how the mural is installed and whether it can be removed later.

Material Options in Detail

Peel-and-Stick Vinyl

Our most popular option, peel-and-stick murals feature a premium vinyl material with repositionable adhesive backing. Simply peel away the backing and apply to the wall—no paste, water, or special tools needed. The adhesive allows you to reposition panels during installation if you do not get it right the first time. When removed, the mural comes off cleanly without damaging most painted surfaces.

Best for: Rentals, temporary installations, anyone wanting flexibility to change decor, DIY installers preferring easy application. Lifespan on wall: 5-7 years or more. Removable: Yes, cleanly from most surfaces.

Traditional Prepasted Wallpaper

Commercial-grade prepasted wallpaper provides a permanent installation with exceptional durability. The paste is factory-applied and activates with water. Dip panels in water, book them (fold paste sides together briefly), then apply to the wall. This material creates the strongest bond and is preferred for high-traffic commercial applications.

Best for: Permanent installations, commercial spaces, high-traffic areas, professional wallpaper installers. Lifespan on wall: 10-15 years or more. Removable: Requires stripping with water/steam.

Fabric Mural Textile

Woven polyester fabric with a soft, textile finish and repositionable adhesive backing. The fabric texture adds visual richness and hides minor wall imperfections. Fabric murals are forgiving during installation—small bubbles work themselves out over time, and the material can be carefully removed and reused.

Best for: Premium installations, textured appearance, spaces where removal and reuse is desired. Lifespan on wall: 7-10 years. Removable: Yes, can be reused in new locations.

Self-Adhesive Canvas

Canvas-textured material with adhesive backing provides an artistic, gallery-like finish. The visible texture resembles traditional artist canvas, adding depth and interest to artwork reproductions, fine art prints, and photography. Popular for galleries, offices, and homes wanting an art-forward aesthetic.

Best for: Art reproductions, photography, feature walls, gallery and museum spaces. Lifespan on wall: 5-7 years. Removable: Yes, similar to peel-and-stick.

Material Comparison

Quick reference for material selection

Easiest Installation

Peel-and-Stick: No paste, no water, repositionable. Perfect for DIY.

Most Durable

Prepasted Wallpaper: Commercial-grade, permanent bond, long lifespan.

Most Premium

Fabric Textile: Woven texture, forgiving installation, reusable.

Most Artistic

Canvas: Gallery-quality texture for fine art and photography.

Best for Renters

Peel-and-Stick or Fabric: Both remove cleanly without damage.

Best for Commercial

Prepasted Wallpaper: Durability and permanence for high-traffic spaces.

Surface Compatibility

Ideal Surfaces

All our mural materials work best on smooth, clean, painted surfaces. Drywall with latex paint is ideal. Surfaces should be fully cured—new paint should dry at least 30 days before mural application. Clean walls of dust, grease, and residue before installation.

Textured Surfaces

Light texture (orange peel, light knockdown) is generally acceptable. Heavy texture may cause adhesion issues and texture showing through the mural. For heavily textured walls, consider skim coating smooth before application. Fabric murals handle light texture best of our options.

Surfaces to Avoid

Do not apply murals to: fresh paint (under 30 days), bare drywall (prime first), wallpapered surfaces (remove old wallpaper), high-moisture areas like showers (humidity will fail adhesive), or surfaces with mold or mildew (treat first).

Material FAQs

None of our materials are suitable for shower/tub surrounds or surfaces with direct water exposure. For bathroom walls outside the wet zone (away from tub/shower spray), peel-and-stick or prepasted wallpaper with proper ventilation can work. Heavy steam and humidity may reduce adhesive lifespan.

See Our Work

Browse examples of our custom printed products

Custom printed wall mural installation
Custom printed wall mural installation
Scenic beach wall mural
Scenic beach wall mural
Custom printed wall mural installation
Custom printed wall mural installation

Need Help Choosing Materials?

Request free samples or contact our team for personalized recommendations.

Material Selection for Specific Applications

Different environments demand different material characteristics. Understanding how each substrate performs under specific conditions helps you select the optimal material for your project.

Residential Applications

Home wall murals typically encounter moderate conditions—occasional cleaning, stable climate control, and normal wear. Our standard vinyl substrates excel in these environments, offering excellent print quality, reasonable durability, and straightforward installation. Textured options like canvas vinyl add tactile interest and hide minor wall imperfections.

For high-moisture areas like bathrooms or basements, specify our moisture-resistant substrates that resist humidity-related issues. These materials maintain adhesion and appearance in environments that would cause standard materials to peel or discolor over time.

Commercial and High-Traffic Environments

Commercial installations face demanding conditions: frequent cleaning, accidental impacts, and public interaction. Our commercial-grade substrates feature scratch-resistant laminates, antimicrobial treatments, and enhanced durability that maintains appearance despite rigorous use. These materials cost more initially but dramatically outlast residential options in demanding environments.

Retail and hospitality applications often require regular design updates aligned with seasons, promotions, or brand refreshes. Consider our removable adhesive options that allow damage-free removal and replacement. This approach supports marketing flexibility without cumulative wall damage from repeated installations.

Specialized Environments

Some installations require specialized materials. Healthcare facilities need antimicrobial surfaces and materials that withstand hospital-grade cleaning chemicals. Food service environments require FDA-compliant materials and easy-clean surfaces. Industrial settings may need chemical resistance or extreme durability. Our team can recommend materials certified for your specific requirements.

Outdoor applications require UV-stable, weatherproof materials fundamentally different from interior products. While we specialize in interior applications, we can recommend qualified partners for exterior mural projects that require specialized outdoor materials and installation techniques.

Explore More Resources

Find more guides, specifications, and downloadable resources for printed wall murals.