New wallpaper designs are generally derived from artworks purchased from a staff designer or freelance wallpaper designer.The designer shows the client the portfolio they have in order to get a sale. The marketing and design staff will then decide if the design is the right “style” for a specific look or line. If the design is accepted, the artist produces copyright documents and the design is handed over.

After the printing process is chosen, the artwork is fine tuned to fit the requirements of the printing process and the pattern is sent to the engraver (which usually resembles a back street welders shop) or screen-maker(which are usually very organised outfits). Once the cylinder or screens are in place and a few pattern repeats are printed, a “strike off’ (sample wallpaper) is printed to test the color and pattern. When okayed, the paper is commercially printed in large runs.

Nowadays, digital wallpaper is taking over this process and there is no longer a need to purchase very expensive copper rollers that will only be used once. Instead clients are focusing their spend on creative wallpaper in smaller runs with the focus more on design and creativity, rather than expensive manufacturing(engineering) costs

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