During the drying process, the wallpaper "contracts" again, stretching evenly across the surface as the adhesive dries. In other words, the wallpaper paste or adhesive should dry more quickly than the wallpaper itself.

How much does wallpaper expand when pasted?

During the time that wallpaper relaxes, it may expand as much as 1/2 inch or more. After the paper is hung and it dries on the wall, it tends to pull itself nice and tight on the wall, but the adhesive causes it to hold its expanded size.

Does wallpaper expand when pasted?

When paste is applied to wallpaper it expands. Soak time is the time it takes a wallpaper to expand to its maximum width once an adhesive has been applied. If a wallpaper is not left for its full soak time then it may continue to expand on the wall, causing creases in the wallpaper and possibly even expansion bubbles.