The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1881-09-17
MANUFACTURE OF WALL PAPER.


The paper is received from the manu-
factory in suitable lengths and proper
width, and of pure white color. The
first thing to be done is to give the white
surface proper ground, which may he
of any desired shade or color. To do
this, the paper is put through n machine
constructed for this purpose. The color
is applied first with large brush, and
then the paper is carried on to IL series of
stiff brushes, which move diagonally to
and fro across the surface. to give a
smoothness and equality to the ground.
and leave it devoid of shade OF uneven
ness of color. After being properly dried
the paper is ready to receive further deco
ration. One end of the long roll. which
has received ground, is placed in Il
pair of nippers attached to large print
ing 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 filled with
flock or felt. The cylinders. however,
do not contain an entire pattern. for each
color in the paper requires IA separate
impressions; hence, it follows that each
cylinder bears only a portion of 4 pat
tern. The printing machines Of the day
are capable of printing as many As twelve
distinct colors, and carry thirteen roll
ers, the extra one being used Ia apply
the varnish. 1t seems amazing to The
spectator to stand by and sec IL roll of
dark brown paper go i'll at one end OF the
machine and come out at the other end
elegantly adorned with figures.
Having thus received the pattern, if
gilt is desired i'll the figure the roller Is
placed IN another machine and bronzed
or gilded. The bronze is contained i'll a
large box and the paper passes over
cylinder: above is large brush filled
with bronze powder. This is passed rap
idly over the surface, and the portions of
the gilt Then the roll Of paper is drawn
over another cylinder. surrounded with
stiff brushes. which clear away all super
fuous powder. There are two varieties
of bronze paper-the single print bronze,
which contains only the one color, gilt:
and the color bronze. which contains ii
number Of cOlOrs.
The latest improvement is the enl-
bossed or pressed paper. Formerly, all
patterns were perfectly fiat. but by Il
new process portions of the pattern are
raised OF embossed. This is done by u
machine constructed for the purpose, and
consists in forcing the paper on a dnpiI-
cate of the original pattern, thus clcVat-
ing the desired portions. Velvet paper
(so-calied. but known technically rs
flock papcr.) which is So often used
in panelng, has long bothered the brains
of the usual householder, yet it, manu-
facture is exceedingly simple. The pa
per first goes through the grounding
machine and then receives sizing, after
which it is placed in a long box about
two feet wide. two feet deep. and TWEEN
ty-four feet long, with canvas bottom.
Underneath this bottom are number OF
wooden arms, which. by the aid of crank>.
beat tattoo on it. The paper thus placed.
a quantity of flock is thrown on it. the
arms beat the canvas, and in Il short
time it energies seemingly roll of soft
velvet. A New York firm has recently
patented an improvement on all previous
efforts, known as mica. OF 'orientaf
satin paper. BY Il secret process mica
is applied to the surface, giving the pa
per glitterinG appearance. The rolls
arc then run through a machine which
embosses the paper giving it a ribbed
appearance The rolls of tanciiul wall
paper are rctailcd at prices ranging from
two dollars to five dollars each. aud when
properly laid upon walls and ceilings give
an apartment rich appearance. fully
equal to the handiwork OF an expert
rresco painter and al one fifth The cost.
| ntolCuIitclN lUl Stt"i ltHif' i'tbN
persons are call al sea as regards the
proper arrangement of a room. They
decorate their walls with beautiful paper
and then hide the beauty behind rows of
pictures. In papering the walls of an
apartment, some definite arrangement
should he decided upon before the paper
is placed. Another outrage on good taste
is in selecting wall paper TO match in
color the furniture of a room. This is
said to bc all wrong, as wall paper should
oppose in color the furniture of n room.
Contrast in this respect gives entire har-
mony.
wood paper is the name of Il new
idea. In this the paper is given thin
veneer of the wood desired. and can be
rolled up like the ordinary paper. This
paper, properly applied. gives the walls
of a room the appearance of being worked
in hard wood. BY means of machinery
the manufacture of wall paper is mate
rally FASTENED. An ordinary machine
will print from $500 to 5000 rolls per
day of cisht-colorcd paper while fifty
rolls is good day work by hand The
latter process, however is used on the