OUR PAPER
Crafted by master artisans in Japan, our remarkable papers are made from renewable kozo plants, with each batch hand-mixed in crystal-clear river water fed by the mountains of the Kochi prefecture.
This artisanal process gives our wallcoverings their unique, velvety texture, inviting a deep, nuanced interaction between ink and paper for an authentic finish that can only be achieved by hand.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What kind of paper do you use?
Porter Teleo Hand Painted Wallcoverings are crafted upon a unique washi paper sourced from the mountainous Kochi region of Japan. Since antiquity, Japanese washi has been made from fast-growing, regenerative plants like kozo, making it a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly product than traditional western papers.
Japanese papers are valued by artists worldwide for their natural beauty and delicate texture. Porter Teleo’s signature painterly backgrounds are due to the paper’s ability to fully absorb our inks – saturating the entire roll with rich color and texture.
How durable is your paper?
Not only do the kozo fibers make our paper beautiful, they also make it strong! Kozo has naturally long fibers, which gives the paper a soft feel while maintaining durability. Our paper performs beautifully in powder rooms, kitchens, closets and more.
Porter Teleo wallcoverings are Class A Fire rated, and we also offer a Fibercare sealant option for extra protection in high-traffic areas. The sealant we use has no effect on the look or feel of the paper, and helps provide protection against everyday dirt and wear.
How are your wallcoverings made? Are they really hand painted?
Yes, each and every order of our wallcoverings is completely painted by hand. Our team of highly trained artists employ traditional fine art techniques to create each hand painted pattern panel by panel - never mass produced.
You can watch behind-the-scenes footage of our studio artists in action by following us on Instagram, or enjoy this video that follows our process from beginning to end!
How is the Hand Painted Wallcovering installed?
Despite our unique paper, Porter Teleo wallcovering installs very similarly to other wallcoverings – often with rave reviews from professional installers! The all-natural fibers of the paper relax as they are saturated with adhesive, and beautifully adhere to the wall – creating a smooth, velvety surface that highlights the soft tooth of the paper.
Panels arrive labeled in numerical sequence, and must be trimmed and installed by a qualified professional installer. Please review our Hanging Instructions for more details.