Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for permanently and rapidly imparting surface characteristics, such as texture or graining, to decorative coverings for substrates, such as wall coverings in the absence of any degradation thereof, so that when the coverings are subsequently applied to the substrate, such as an aircraft bulkhead, by heat application, the texture previously imparted will remain intact. The process and apparatus uses magnetic attraction in tenter frames to carry and expose continuous webs of thermoplastic to high temperature embossing with simultaneous and subsequent rapid cooling. The arrangements and process avoid lengthy press application at high temperature which has the effect of degrading color and other characteristics of the material being treated.