How to Stamp Drywall

Tape over the joints between the drywall sheets with a length of drywall tape. Tape around any cuts in the drywall boards, such as around pipe or electrical outlets, so the edges of the drywall are smooth.

Remove 1 cup of drywall joint compound from the bucket. Add 1 cup of water to the compound and mix it in with a mud paddle attached to a power drill. The mixed compound has the consistency of a thick pudding.

Scoop up the compound on the drywall knife. Smooth the compound onto the wall using a long, even stroke while holding the blade of the knife at a 45-degree angle to the drywall surface. Continue scooping and applying the compound until the drywall is completely covered.

Allow this first coat of compound, called the skim coat, to dry for at least 6 hours. Sand it lightly with a fine grit sandpaper or with a drywall sander to smooth out any imperfections.

Mix the drywall compound the consistency required for the particular stamping procedure. Most stamped textures require thin compound with the consistency of pancake batter. A few, such as the plaster-like Spanish knife texture, require a thick consistency.

Spread a coat of the prepared compound onto the drywall with the drywall knife. Cover only a small area of the drywall at a time, such as a single 3- or 5-foot long strip.

Apply the stamped texture to the wall using the brush or knife necessary for that design. Use a drywall comb for ridges or combed textures or a drywall slapbrush for stompbrush and crow's feet textures. Continue applying fresh compound and texturing the drywall until it's completely covered. Allow it to dry overnight before painting.