Paperhanger Career Career

The work of paperhangers is to cover ceilings and walls with decorative wall coverings made of vinyl, paper, or fabric. Paperhangers first prepare the surface that is covered by �sizing'. A paperhanger has to remove the old covering while decorating. They remove the old covering by applying solvents, steaming, and soaking.

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Job Prospects The job prospects of a paperhanger may vary depending upon size and nature of work. A paperhanger has to patch up holes and take care of other imperfections and then hang the new wall coverings. Once the surface is prepared, paperhangers should prepare the paste or other glue to perform the tasks effectively. Subsequently, paperhangers measure the section to be covered, cut the covering into strips of the proper size, check the covering for flaws, and closely evaluate the pattern to match it when the strips are hung. Paperhangers use specialized equipments to perform this type of work. Paperhangers play an important role in process of home decoration.

The next step is to roll or brush the adhesive onto the back of the covering, if required, and then place the strips on the ceiling or wall, making sure that the strips are straight, pattern is matched, and the edges are pushed together to make closed and tight seams. Finally, paperhangers have to smooth the strips to wipe off wrinkles and bubbles, trim the bottom and top with razor knife and remove any excess adhesive.

Work Environment
Most of the paperhangers work forty hours a week. Some paperhangers work part-time. Paperhangers have to stand for long periods and often work from ladders and scaffolding. The job of paperhanger requires ample amount of bending, climbing, and stretching. These workers must have enough stamina because they have to perform with their arms raised overhead.

Generally, industrial paperhangers have to work outdoors almost always in warm and dry weather. Paperhangers who perform work at buildings may be exposed to uncomfortable position and extreme heights. Some paperhangers have to work suspended with cables or ropes. A paperhanger has to wear protective safety dust mask and glasses as drywall dust created by electric sanders may cause health problems.

Sometimes, paperhangers work with materials that may be toxic or hazardous. Therefore, they need to take care while performing such kind of tasks. Paperhangers have to work in a sealed self-contained suit to avoid inhalation of hazardous materials. Paperhangers are subject to fall from scaffolds or ladders. Thus, they must be aware of prognostic dangers. A paperhanger has to deal with responsibilities as mentioned below.

Responsibilities

• Place sections or strips of paper on patterns, surfaces and aligning section edges
• Wipe off old paper using steam machines, water, scrapers, or solvents
• Remove varnish, paint, grease, and dirt from surfaces using water soda solutions and paint remover
• Set up equipments such as scaffolds and pasteboards
• Smooth sections and strips of paper with rollers or brushes to wipe off bubbles and wrinkles and to smooth joints
• Smooth rough parts on ceilings and walls using sandpaper
• Trim excess materials at baseboards or ceilings using knives
• Neat rough edges from strips using trimming knives and straightedges
• Use acetic acid to damp plaster to avoid lime from bleeding through paper
• Tack or staple advertising posters onto walls, fences, poles, or billboards
• Apply adhesive to the reverse of paper strips using dunk strips or brushes of pre-pasted wall coverings in water and remove excess adhesive
• Apply sizing to maximize adhesion and seal surfaces of coverings
• Apply thinned adhesive to waterproof surfaces using rollers, brushes, or pasting machines
• Ensure finished wall coverings for pattern matching, proper alignment, and tidiness of seams
• Cover ceiling of rooms and interior walls with decorative fabric or wallpaper using hand tools
• Fill cracks, holes, and other surface imperfections preparatory in order to cover surfaces
• Mark vertical guidelines on walls to line up strips using chalk lines and plumb bobs
• Cut and measure strips from rolls of fabric and wallpaper using razors or shears
• Review work orders and measure surfaces to estimate the quantities required
• Mix paste using water and paste powder and brush paste onto surfaces

Educational Qualification
The art of paperhanging can be learned on the job. However, some expert professionals recommend an apprenticeship program. Many employers offer on-the-job training to their employees. There are various formal and informal training programs that equip candidates with utmost information about their profession.

Generally, the apprenticeship program incorporates a fine blending of classroom instruction and on-the-job training. During the apprenticeship, candidates are paid for their work. The duration of apprenticeship for paperhangers is two to four years. A paperhanger should possess good communication skills. Some organization offer certification and training courses to enhance the required skills of their employees.

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