Pure gypsum relief
Fine white plasterwork for classical and contemporary interiors.
- Shanghai Xionglan Culture Communication Co., Ltd. (brand: Xionglan Art)
- Shanghai-based workshop · delivery in 67 Chinese cities
- 10 capability groups / 102 individual techniques · design, fabrication and installation in-house
- Phone +86 156 0163 6249 · Mon–Sun 09:00–18:00 (CST)
Pure gypsum is cast in moulds and finished by hand, giving crisp edges and a smooth, paintable surface. It is an interior material, and the default choice where a design needs precise, repeatable profiles rather than a weathered look.
Commissioned work in pure gypsum relief normally runs from 6 to 30 m², with 3–8 working days in production from approved drawings. The reference range for this technique is CNY 500–1600 per m², quoted itemised. It sits within our Gypsum Relief & Decorative Plaster capability, alongside 7 related techniques, and the 4-point deliverable below is what a commission includes as standard.
When pure gypsum relief is the right answer - and when it is not
Pure gypsum relief is the reference standard for interior ornament: crisp edges, a surface that takes paint or gilding beautifully, and a depth that reads properly under grazing light. It is chosen when the detail itself is the point - cornices, ceiling centres, decorative panels, period-appropriate interiors. It is the wrong material for exteriors or for damp rooms, where gypsum will fail regardless of how well it is sealed.
How the work is actually carried out
Moulds are taken from approved patterns, and the plaster is cast in a controlled workshop temperature so set time and therefore hardness stay consistent. Reinforcement is set into the casting where spans or thin sections demand it, rather than added afterwards. Sections are dry before delivery, because plaster installed damp will shrink back and open a line exactly along the joint. Fixing uses mechanical support in addition to adhesive, and joints are filled and sanded so the run reads as one continuous moulding.
Typical applications
Typical specifications
| Typical size | Panels from 0.3 m2 to 6 m2 each |
|---|---|
| Lead time | 2-4 weeks including mould-making |
| Substrate | Masonry or stud wall with a dry, stable backing |
| Finishes | Primed for paint, or painted and glazed in the workshop |
| Capability | Gypsum Relief & Decorative Plaster |
| Reference range | CNY 500–1600 per m² |
| Techniques in this capability | 8 |
| Coverage | Shanghai base, nationwide delivery, overseas projects on request |
Reference price bands for Pure gypsum relief
Indicative only, based on the scope normally quoted for pure gypsum relief. A firm price follows a site survey and an itemised quotation split into material, labour, finishing, packing and freight.
| Scope | Typical area | Reference total | Unit rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small area | 6–15 m² | CNY 3,000 – CNY 24,000 | approx. CNY 1600/m² |
| Standard area | 15–36 m² | CNY 7,500 – CNY 57,600 | approx. CNY 1050/m² |
| Large area | 36 m² and above | CNY 18,000+ | approx. CNY 500/m² |
Build tiers for pure gypsum relief
Pure gypsum relief is not one product at one size: the table below is the same scope ladder we quote on, so you can see where your project sits before asking for a price.
| Build tier | Typical area | Production days | What changes at this tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | Up to 30 m², one substrate and one access setup, 3–8 days in the workshop. |
| Tier 2 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 3–8 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 3 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 3–8 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 4 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 3–8 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 5 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 3–8 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 6 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6–30 m² across two or more faces, 3–8 days, substrate build-up agreed per location. |
| Tier 7 | 6–30 m² | 3–8 | 6 m² and above, multiple substrate types and phased access, 3–8 days with a join and numbering plan. |
What we deliver
- Section drawings and 1:1 detail confirmation before mould-making
- Moulds, casting, curing and finishing in our own workshop
- Cornices, columns, arches, wall panelling, ceiling domes and coves
- Gilding, ageing and painted finishes matched to your scheme
Faults we see most often in pure gypsum relief
Each of these is a field failure rather than a workshop one, and each is cheaper to prevent at enquiry stage than to correct after installation.
- Fixing with adhesive alone on a ceiling, where the failure mode is not a crack but a fall.
- Installing before the casting is fully dry, which produces shrinkage gaps along every joint.
- Sanding a gilded or painted finish after installation, which destroys the very crispness the material was chosen for.
What to settle before an overseas project starts
| Pattern source | Send the profile you want matched, or photographs plus a dimension. Matching an existing period moulding usually means taking a rubber cast on site. |
|---|---|
| Substrate and fixings | Confirm the wall or ceiling build-up and what it can carry. Plasterboard, concrete and timber each need a different fixing strategy. |
| Finish intent | Paint, gilding, limewash or exposed plaster each require a different surface preparation, decided before casting rather than after. |
Working with us from overseas
Enquiry to installation, one point of contact. Export packing, shipping, commercial terms and quality control →
Design intent and what drives the cost
| Technique | Pure gypsum relief |
|---|---|
| Positioning | Fine white plasterwork for classical and contemporary interiors. |
| Floor area normally quoted | 6–30 m² per commission |
| Typical production window | 3–8 working days from approved drawings |
| Main cost drivers | Area and repetition; substrate preparation; detail and modelling time; surface finish; access and working hours |
| What we quote separately | Material, labour, finishing, packing, freight and site measures - each as its own line |
Representative work
Gypsum Relief & Decorative Plaster projects photographed on completion.
Gypsum Relief & Decorative Plaster — French-style plasterwork
Gypsum Relief & Decorative Plaster — project photograph
Gypsum Relief & Decorative Plaster — GRG sculpted ceiling
Gypsum Relief & Decorative Plaster — Ceiling dome & coveCommon questions
Is gypsum suitable in damp rooms?
How are joints between panels hidden?
Is gypsum relief suitable for bathrooms or exteriors?
Discuss pure gypsum relief
Send photographs, drawings or a 3D file with approximate dimensions. You will get a technique recommendation, a reference price band and a production schedule.