About to kick off your next paint project, but feeling overwhelmed by the jargon?
We hear you. The world of paint comes with plenty of confusing terms, but we’ve got you covered.
To help you focus on the fun part, we’ve broken it down into the top 5 terms you need to know—so you can sound like a pro and paint like one too.
Priming (A.K.A. Prep)
Fail to prepare and you prepare to fail. When it comes to painting walls, this couldn’t be more true. Primer (or as we like to call it, “Prep”) is the first coat you should apply.
Priming protects the surface and helps your paint adhere more effectively. It also improves durability and can help cover stubborn stains that won’t budge.
It’s essential for metal and wood surfaces, and highly recommended for bare plaster walls.
Feathering
Patchy walls are a problem—and feathering is the solution.
Feathering involves using a brush to lightly blend the edge of freshly painted sections into the next area. This helps avoid visible lines and creates a smooth, even finish.
Cutting in
Whether you’re new to DIY or experienced, you’ve probably heard this term.
Cutting in refers to painting the edges and detailed areas that rollers can’t reach—like corners, around switches, sockets, and trims.
Start by taping your edges, then use a brush to paint these areas before rolling. That’s cutting in like a pro.
Laying Off
After rolling a section, it’s time to “lay off” the paint.
This means lightly rolling back over the wet surface in smooth, parallel strokes to even out the finish.
Pro tip: Don’t reload your roller before laying off—too much paint will create new marks instead of smoothing them out.
Wet Edges
Say goodbye to streaks.
A “wet edge” means keeping the paint wet as you move from one section to the next—so you’re always blending into fresh paint rather than dried areas.
This helps create a seamless finish without visible lines or patches.
Now, get rolling—you’ve got this.
Colour Picks
- Old School
- So Fresh And So Clean
- Mimi
- Dawn Patrol
- Do Not Disturb
- Fika
- Wine and Unwind
Feeling inspired and ready to get rolling? Check out some of our best-selling hues above!
