Abstract: A large surface to be lined with a covering cut precisely to size, e.g. a wall of a room or building to be paneled or papered, is marked with strips of adhesive measuring tape posted thereon along orthogonally intersecting lines to divide its area into zones whose dimensions can be accurately read thereon. The strips may be left in position when the covering is applied and, advantageously, have centerlines determining the boundaries of adjoining zones, the covering being divided into sections abutting one another along these boundaries.