Description
Custom-sized wallpaper murals are large-scale, single-image prints designed to fit the exact dimensions of a particular wall. They are unlike traditional wallpaper, which comes in standard rolls with a repeating pattern. A custom mural is a unique piece of art made-to-measure. It can be a photograph, a piece of artwork, a graphic design, or a specific pattern that is scaled and printed in panels to cover an entire wall seamlessly.
Rarely in Kenya, even in Nairobi, do you get custom-sized wallpaper murals. This service allows you to use your own high-resolution images, artworks, or brand logos. This is to create a unique and personalized wall covering that is sized perfectly for your space.
Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect when ordering a custom-sized wallpaper mural from us:
Design & Consultation
We offer a collaborative process. You can bring your own design. But we can also assist you with creating a custom design from scratch based on your ideas.
Image Quality
For large-format murals, the quality of the source image is absolutely paramount. When an image with a low resolution is scaled up to cover an entire wall, the pixels become visibly enlarged, resulting in a blurred and pixelated appearance. This “blocky” effect creates an unprofessional look that undermines the intended visual impact of the mural. A high-resolution image, typically with a high DPI (dots per inch) and large dimensions, retains its sharpness and detail even when magnified. Ensuring your image meets these professional standards is the single most important step to guarantee a crisp, vibrant, and stunning mural that makes a powerful statement.
We can guide you on the best image formats to use, such as JPEG, PNG, and TIFF.
Materials
You can choose from various materials and finishes. The most popular option is high-tensile canvas for durability, or non-woven materials with either a matte or satin finish.
Measurements
You will need to provide the exact dimensions of your wall. Or let us do everything from measurements to installation. We recommend you add a small margin of error (e.g., 3-5 cm) to the height and width to account for walls that aren’t perfectly straight.
Production & Installation
Once the design and measurements are finalized, we will print the mural to your specifications. We also offer professional installation services to ensure a seamless finish. There are no extra charges for custom-sized wallpaper murals within the Nairobi area. Some may charge an extra fee for this service to cover the cost of travel for those outside of Nairobi.
Benefits of Custom-Sized Wallpaper Murals
Perfect Fit and Minimal Waste
The most significant advantage is the precise fit. Since the mural is printed to your wall’s exact dimensions, you avoid the hassle of aligning patterns across multiple rolls and are left with very little, if any, excess material.
Unique and Personalized Design
Custom murals allow for a truly unique look. You can use a personal photo, a piece of your own artwork, or a specific graphic that resonates with your brand or personal style. This level of personalization makes the space truly one-of-a-kind.
High Visual Impact
A custom mural acts as a dramatic focal point in any room. It can completely transform a space, telling a story or creating a specific mood that cannot be achieved with paint or repetitive wallpaper patterns.
Hides Wall Imperfections
The thickness and large-scale print of a mural can effectively cover minor wall imperfections such as small cracks or dents, providing a smooth and polished finish.
Creates a Sense of Space
Murals depicting a landscape, a cityscape, or an open horizon can create a powerful illusion of depth, making a small room feel much larger and more open.
Durability and Longevity
High-quality custom murals are typically made from durable materials like vinyl or specialty papers that are resistant to fading, wear, and tear, often lasting for years with minimal maintenance.
Disadvantages of custom-sized wallpaper
Higher Upfront Cost
Custom murals are generally more expensive than standard, mass-produced wallpaper rolls. The cost is often determined by the square footage, and the personalized design and printing process contribute to the higher price.
Potential for Difficult Installation
While some custom murals come in easy-to-install “peel-and-stick” options, many require professional installation. The panels must be aligned perfectly to ensure the single image looks seamless, which can be a challenging task for a DIYer.
Permanent Feel and Less Versatility
A custom mural is a significant design statement that is not easily changed. If you like to redecorate frequently, the more permanent nature of a custom mural may be a drawback compared to standard wallpaper or paint.
Requires a High-Resolution Image
If you are using your own photo or artwork, it must be a very high-resolution file to ensure the image looks crisp and clear when enlarged to a mural size. Low-resolution images will appear pixelated or blurry.
Less Forgiving of Errors
Because a custom mural is a single, large image, any mistakes made during installation—such as bubbles, creases, or misalignment—are much more noticeable and can ruin the entire effect.
Custom designs are also custom-sized wallpaper
While “custom-sized” and “custom-designed” are not technically the same, most custom-size orders are, in a practical sense, custom-made designs. This phenomenon is driven by a combination of customer expectations, market dynamics, and technological advancements.
1. The Psychology of a Bespoke Product
When a customer decides to invest in a custom-sized product, they are already thinking beyond a standard, off-the-shelf item. The decision to order something made to precise measurements implies a desire for a perfectly tailored and unique solution. At this point, the extra step of also customizing the design—be it a personal photo, a unique pattern, or specific colors—becomes a natural and highly appealing option. The customer is already committed to a bespoke process, so they are motivated to create something that is truly their own.
2. The Power of Personalization and Branding
Many custom wallpaper mural orders come from businesses or interior designers. In these cases, the design is just as important as the size.
Commercial and Office wallpaper
Businesses use wallpaper murals as a powerful branding tool. They often want a mural that incorporates their logo, brand colors, or a design that reflects their company’s ethos. This is a clear case where a custom design is essential, and it will, by necessity, be printed to the custom size of their office wall.
Interior Designers
Professional interior designers and homeowners seek to create a unique atmosphere. They may have a specific vision that cannot be fulfilled by a pre-designed catalog mural. They might need to match a paint color, complement existing furniture, or integrate a specific piece of art, which requires a design that is created or adapted specifically for their project.
3. The Role of Digital Printing Technology
The rise of digital printing has made the process of creating both custom-designed and custom-sized wallpaper murals incredibly efficient and cost-effective.
On-Demand Manufacturing
Digital printing allows companies to produce murals one at a time, to exact specifications. This “print-on-demand” model is what makes custom sizing possible in the first place.
Seamless Integration
The same technology that prints an image to a specific size can also print any image file you provide. The software used to scale a pre-made design can just as easily scale a customer’s personal photo or graphic. Because the technology and process are the same for both services, most companies that offer custom sizing also offer the ability to upload a custom design.
4. The “Customization” of Pre-Designed Murals
Even when a customer chooses a pre-existing image from a company’s catalog, the process of fitting it to their wall still involves a level of customization. For example:
Cropping and Resizing
A mural of a sprawling landscape may need to be cropped or resized to fit a shorter, wider wall. A key element of the design might be placed at a specific height to align with furniture or architectural features.
Color and Material Options
Many providers allow customers to change the color palette of a pre-existing design or choose a specific material (e.g., textured vinyl, eco-friendly paper), which further personalizes the final product.
In conclusion, the modern custom wallpaper mural market is built around the idea of a bespoke, made-to-order product. The ability to create a mural that perfectly fits a wall’s dimensions is a core feature of this service. Because the technology and customer demand for personalization go hand-in-hand, companies have made it a standard practice to offer design customization alongside size customization. Therefore, while the two concepts are distinct, they are almost always part of a single, integrated process, leading to the common perception that they are synonymous.