The Complete Guide to Creating a Dragged Effect with Travertino

The dragged Travertino plaster finish is bold, rustic, and rich with texture. This technique creates a dramatic, stone-like aesthetic, making it a popular choice for feature walls in homes, restaurants, hotels, or commercial spaces seeking an earthy, organic vibe.

Compared to the Marmarino Medium dragged finish, Travertino creates a rougher, coarser texture—ideal for those wanting a more rugged, tactile result.

This guide takes you step by step through the process of creating the dragged Travertino effect on walls or large surfaces.

1. Preparing the Wall

Before starting, ensure your wall or working surface is:

• Clean and dust-free
• Dry and primed for plaster application
• Use a quartz primer applied with a roller (for large areas) or a brush (for corners and edges).
• Allow the primer to dry overnight or as needed.

The primer is crucial for creating a textured surface that allows the plaster to grip effectively.

2. Applying the Base Coat

The base coat builds the foundational layer for the dragged effect.

What You’ll Need:

• Travertino (pre-mixed with your chosen color, e.g., 021-1)
• Stainless steel trowel
• Spatula or mixing tool
• Clean water
• Optional: large plastering trowel for wide surfaces

Steps:

1. Load your trowel with Travertino using a spatula.
2. Hold the trowel at a 10–20 degree angle.
3. Apply the plaster in horizontal strokes.
   • If right-handed, work left to right; if left-handed, work right to left.
4. Apply a thicker coat than usual to build texture for the drag effect.
5. Cover the entire wall evenly, ensuring no primer is visible.
6. Lightly smooth the surface to reduce raised lines; minor lines can be sanded later.

• Allow the base coat to dry overnight.
• For larger walls, use a bigger plastering trowel to speed up coverage.

Tip: Travertino feels grittier and more coarse than Marmarino Medium, so expect a rougher texture during application.

3. Applying the Top Coat

The top coat is where the dragged effect comes to life.

Steps:

1. Load the trowel with Travertino (same color as the base coat).
2. Keep the trowel angle below 20 degrees.
3. Apply a thick, even coat over the base layer.
4. Cover the entire surface; don’t worry about trowel marks—they’ll be addressed in the next step.
5. Let the top coat partially dry for 5–30 minutes depending on room temperature.
6. Check for the right dryness: the plaster should be about 50–60% dry—firm but still workable.

4. Creating the Dragged Effect

Use a Regato tool to drag across the surface and create the distinctive texture.

How to Drag:

• Start at the first area you applied the top coat.
• Drag the tool in horizontal strokes, maintaining the same direction throughout.
• Apply more pressure toward the back of the Regato tool to deepen the texture.
• Work methodically across the wall until the entire surface is dragged.
• If you want deeper lines, pass through the plaster again with added pressure.
• Allow the plaster to continue drying until it feels firmer.

5. Flattening the Surface

Flattening smooths any sharp peaks without eliminating the texture.

Steps:

1. Use a clean stainless steel trowel.
2. Once the surface reaches 50–60% dryness, lightly glide the trowel over the dragged texture.
3. Apply very light pressure—enough to flatten excess peaks without crushing the grooves.
   • You should be able to hold the trowel with just two fingers for the right touch.
4. Clear excess plaster from the trowel every few passes to avoid buildup.

• The goal is a balanced, tactile texture without large raised lumps.

Important: If any dried excess material remains from the base coat, lightly sand it down before applying the top coat.

6. Waxing the Dragged Travertino Finish

Waxing enhances the finish, seals the surface, and adds subtle or bold tonal effects depending on the wax used.

Wax Options:

• Natural Beeswax: adds a protective barrier without altering color.
• Bronze Pearl Cream: introduces a warm metallic shimmer.

Steps:

1. Shake the wax thoroughly before use.
2. Apply the wax using a Pinello brush, sponge, or trowel, working in the same direction as the drag lines.
3. Ensure the wax reaches all the grooves and texture.
4. Allow the wax to absorb for 5–10 minutes.
5. Polish using a microfiber cloth, moving in the same direction as the dragged texture.
   • Turn the cloth regularly to avoid reapplying excess wax.
   • If using bronze pearl cream over natural beeswax, apply it in the same way and polish lightly for a subtle shimmer.

For large surfaces, apply and polish in sections no larger than 1m x 1m to manage drying and polishing time effectively.

Additional Considerations for Large Surfaces

• Use a large plastering trowel to speed up material application.
• Consider working with a partner: one person applying, the other dragging the Regato tool.
• Always check previously applied sections to ensure they haven’t dried too much before dragging.

The dragged Travertino effect is more rugged and dramatic than Marmarino Medium. Its coarse, earthy appearance is well-suited for rustic, industrial, or nature-inspired interiors.