WHS members visit the Lincrusta factory

It is not very often that members of WHS who are not in the commercial wallpaper business themselves get the opportunity to see wallpaper in production, so it was a great privilege for 20 of us to be invited to Morecambe in Lancashire recently to spend a day at the Lincrusta factory and learn all about what goes into making this unique wallcovering.

WHS members and Lincrusta staff at the factory in Morecambe

Photo Trudy Paterson

We started in the meeting room high above the factory floor where we were offered a substantial sandwich lunch while we listened to Alison Griffin, Commercial Director, describe the fascinating history of Lincrusta. It was in 1877 that Frederick Walton, who was responsible for patenting linoleum in 1863, launched Lincrusta as a wallcovering that would revolutionise home décor. Made from a base of linseed oil, Lincrusta could be used to imitate other far more costly wall treatments such as plasterwork or wood panelling and was the first washable wallcovering. The three-dimensional paper is produced in a neutral colour which must be painted, allowing for unlimited decorative potential.

Newly produced Lincrusta

Photo Caroline Bennett-Jane

Down on the factory floor Production and Technical Manager Andy Sarson gave us a comprehensive tour of the small but compact modern unit, demonstrating the processes that the strange butter-coloured linseed powder mix needs to go through to be turned into Lincrusta. First the powder, which includes the linseed oil gel, wax and a mineral component, is compressed into a kind of putty and then turned into pellets before being passed through two steel rollers, one engraved and one plain, and pressed against paper, to achieve its astonishing transformation into a long sheet of LIncrusta with its famous raised patterning.

Pellets of Lincrusta putty are fed between the plain and engraved rollers

Photo Lucy Ellis

Andy explained that consistency of the rolls is based on weight rather than dimensions and that strict stock rotation is observed as the product has a shelf life of only 18-24 months, after which it will start to harden and become unworkable. The rolls are loosened once they come off the conveyor belt so as to avoid their integral warmth causing any damage to the raised pattern.

The finished Lincrusta in ‘Acanthus’ emerges - and the painted version

Photos Caroline Bennett-Jane and © Lincrusta

We admired various patterned steel rollers stored around the floor. These were hand engraved in the UK until 2018 but due to skill shortages this work now takes place in Germany. Three were of adapted William Morris designs (written about in an article on this website) which were the fruit of a recent collaboration with Morris & Co. Before World War II the company owned around 1000 pattern rollers but many had to be melted down for the war effort. For properties where restoration or reproduction of a historic pattern is needed, Andy has devised a kit which uses a silicone mould to take a cast of the pattern, not only a brilliant way of preserving the company’s heritage but a go-to solution for historical projects across the world.

Lincrusta is rerolled and quality-checked by hand

Photo Lucy Ellis

Every roll of Lincrusta is date-stamped and quality-checked by hand and with the human eye, and there are no electronic components to any of the machines or processes. Each member of the small but highly experienced team knows their job so well that much relies on the skills they have built up over many years.

Andy demonstrates how to apply paint with a sponge

Photo Lucy Ellis

The final part of the tour involved a demonstration of how to decorate the paper (which must always be painted afterhanging) and Andy showed us how to apply contrasting paint colours using a brush or sponge to highlight the raised pattern of a coloured ground. The more intrepid amongst us had a go at trying this ourselves, using the beautiful copper and silver paints offered.

Copper-coloured paint enhances the raised pattern

Photo Lucy Ellis

The factory has a wonderful collection of archive sample books which prove how incredibly versatile Lincrusta can be, from imitating plasterwork and panelling to bringing alive the swirling textural patterns of the 1970s.

Pages from historic Lincrusta pattern books

Photos Lucy Ellis

This impressive manufacturer can boast excellent environmental credentials as well, as Lincrusta is made entirely of natural materials, uses FSC-accredited paper and lasts for at least 50 years (and often longer.) It has graced the walls of the Titanic and the Orient Express as well as numerous stately homes, hotels and luxury retailers, as well as having featured in TV and film shows. The company is justifiably proud of its unique product and international reputation and we are all excited to see how they choose to celebrate their 150th anniversary in 2027.

Our thanks go to Alison, Andy and all the team at Lincrusta for an utterly fascinating day.

Lucy Ellis