Behind the scenes with James Watson

We spoke with James Watson, Managing Director of 1838 Wallcoverings and The Surface Print Company, as well as the Wallcoverings President of the IGI (The Global Wallcoverings Association). James comes from a long history of wallpaper specialists - his great-grandfather worked at Crown Wallpapers, and his father went on to establish The Surface Print Company, giving him a deep-rooted connection to all things wallpaper.

As one of the few wallpaper factories still operating in the UK, 1838 Wallcoverings takes great pride in preserving the craft and maintaining the highest standards of quality, printing on FSC Certified paper with water-based, non-toxic ink. We spoke with James about several of the printing techniques used at 1838 Wallcoverings, and how they affect the final look and feel of a wallpaper design.

Surface printing

With only a few surface print machines still operating worldwide, these pieces of machinery - some over a century old - stand as true testaments to traditional craftsmanship. Surface printing produces a distinctive hand-painted look, building up rich layers of ink one at a time. At 1838 Wallcoverings, designs such as Rhododendron and Palmette are created using this historic technique.

Each ink colour is mixed by hand to ensure a perfect match before printing begins. The pattern itself is formed by engraving the design onto rollers - early rollers were carved from wood whereas modern versions use a durable, hard-compound rubber. Ink is applied to the engraved roller, which then transfers the design onto the paper with every rotation.

Digital printing

Digital printing is a more contemporary technique that enables the creation of dramatic large-scale murals and expansive pattern repeats—such as 1838 Wallcoverings’ striking Wisteria Bloom mural, inspired by a kimono from the V&A archive.

This method allows designs to incorporate a high number of colours and achieve subtle tonal effects that traditional surface printing cannot produce. Because wallpapers can often be produced on demand, digital printing helps to minimise waste and offering valuable sustainability benefits.

At 1838 Wallcoverings, they also offer a range of other techniques, including flexo printing for crisp, intricate detail (as seen in Peacock Topiary); Sur-Flex, their own pioneering method that blends the painterly character of surface printing with the precision of flexo (Flower Meadow); rich, velvety flock finishes (Astoria Flock); and their latest machine, which pairs screen and gravure printing (Peony Garden).

Speaking to James it is clear he has a deep-rooted passion for all things wallpaper. When asked what he loves about wallpaper, James responded “Everything! Wallpaper has the power to completely transform the look and feel of a room. It brings so much character, texture and warmth into the space. Whatever mood you want create, whether it’s calm and relaxing, or uplifting and energising, it can be done with wallpaper.”

More about 1838 Wallcoverings

A family-owned business, 1838 Wallcoverings is led by brother and sister team James and Abigail Watson, whose family has over four generations of wallpaper printing experience. Set up in in Lancashire in 2017, the name ‘1838 Wallcoverings’ was chosen to honour the year the first surface print machine for wallpaper production was pioneered.

All of their wallpapers are printed in the 1838 Wallcoverings factory. The brand prides itself on creating beautiful wallpaper designs and has previously collaborated with the prestigious Victoria and Albert Museum in London, creating three collections inspired by its rich archive: V&A Decorative Papers I, V&A Decorative Papers II and V&A Decorative Papers III.

“We started working with the V&A licensing team in 2021 and have created 3 beautiful wallpaper collections together. Inspired by their rich archive, the collections feature a range of influences that date as far back as the 1700s, each design with a fascinating story to tell. It’s an absolute privilege to work with the museum and their wonderful team and is such an interesting process to reimagine the archive designs for contemporary homes”, James Watson.

Looking ahead, James believes the future of wallpaper lies in designs inspired by nature, as we continue to invite the outdoors into our homes. These organic patterns, he explains, serve as “reminders of our connection to the earth and desire to create a peaceful sanctuary at home”.

It was a pleasure speaking with James and gaining a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship behind every design. Click below to explore the complete range of 1838 Wallcoverings and find your perfect wallpaper.

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