Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-04-20
How Wall Paper is Made.

a quarter OF century ago pldin Wnltc
walls and ceilings were de rigeR in
America, except in the homes Of the
wealthy, where the hand of the fresco
painter took something of the GOODNESS
from the walls. In looking back it seems
strange that the ancestors of the present
generation were so devoted to the cod and
cherries white color, and this can only be
explained by regarding it as due to Puri-
Ianic plainness. When wall paper began
to be used the ceiling was still left white,
but change has come, and now both wall
and ceiling are made to harmonic with
the surroundings. The better to under
stand the subject of wall paper, reporter
recently visited an establishment where
the article is manufactured, and saw the
entire process. The paper is received
from the mandatory in suitable lengths
and proper width, and of pure white
color. To do this the paper is put through
machine constructed Cor this purpose.
The color is applied first with large brush,
and then the paper is carried on TO a series
of sliff brushes, which move diagonally to
and fro across the surface, to give smooth
ness and equality to the ground and leave
| it devoid of shade or unevenness of color.
After being properly dried the paper is
ready to receive further decoration. One
end of the long roll, which has received a
ground" is placed in a pair of nippers
attached to large printing machine, and
the work of adornment goes on The
printing machine has a large cylinder,
around which the paper is carried to the
printing cylinders. These are made of
wood, with raised patterns of brass, whose
interstices are flied with flock or felt. The
cylinders, however, do not contain an entire
pattern, for each color in the paper requires
separate impression; hence it follows
that each cylinder bears only portion of
a pattern. The printing machines of the
day are capable of printing as many as
twelve distinct colors, and carry thirteen
rollers, the extra one being used to apply
the varnish. 1t seems amazing to the
spectator to stand by and see roll of dark
brown paper go in at one end of the ma
chine and come out at the other end
elegantly adorned with coloied figures.
Having thus received the pattern, if gilt
is desired in the figures, the roll is placed
in another machine and bronzed or gilded.
The bronze Is contained in large box and
the paper passes over a cylinder, over
which is large brush filled with bronze
powder. This is passed rapidly over the
surface, and the portions of the pattern
intended to receive it retain the gilt.
Then the roll of paper is drawn over an
other cylinder, surrounded with stiff brush
es, which clear away all superfiuous pew.
der. There are two varieties of bronze
paper--the single print bronze, which
contains only one color and gilt, and the
colored bronze, which has number OF
colors.
The latest improvement is the embossed
or pressed paper. Formerly all patterns
we're perfectly fiat, but by new process,
portions of this pattern are raised or EN-.
bossed. This is done by a machine con-
structed for the purpose, and consists in
forcing the paper down on duplicate OF
the original pattern. thus elevating the
desired portions. Velvet paper (so-called,
but known technically as ''fiock" Psper),
which is so often used In paneling, has
long bothered the brains OF the usual house
holder, yet its manufacture is exceedingly
simple. The paper first goes through the
grounding machine, and then receives a
sizing, after which it is placed in long
box about two feet wide, two feet deep
and twenty-four feet long, with canvas
bottom. Underneath this bottom are g
number of wooden arms which, by the aid
of cranks, beat tattoo on it. The papel
thus placed, q quantity of flock is thrown
on it, tine arms beat the canvas, and in {
short time it emerges seemingly roll o.
soft velvet. A New York man has recently
patented sn improvement on all previous
efforts, known as ''mics,," or ''Orienta
satin" paper. By secret process mica Il
applied to the surface, giving the paper
> glitterng appearance. The rolls are thel
run through a machine which embosse
r the paper, giving it ribbed appearance
, The rolls of fsnciful wall paper are retaile'
at prices ranging from two dollars to fiv
dollars each, and when properly laid upo
walls and ceilings give an apartment ric
appearance, fully equal to the handiwor
of an expert fresco painter and at one fift
, the cost.
! Unfortunately for good taste many pei
sons are ''all at sea" as regards the prope