Acid-free
Paper made to have a neutral or near-neutral pH, helping reduce deterioration caused by acidity. Look for the manufacturer's certification when archival stability matters.
Nobel Creators' Atlas · Tools
Understanding your papers.
Find the right paper for your medium, from smooth surfaces for fine detail to textured sheets that grip dry pigment and absorb washes.
What is artist paper? Artist paper is a surface made to support drawing, painting, printmaking, calligraphy and other creative techniques. Its fibre, weight, texture and sizing affect how it handles a medium, how much moisture it absorbs and how well it holds dry pigment. This guide explains the properties and formats that help you choose paper for your work.
01 / Interactive guide
Find your paper match
Compare common watercolour surfaces, then choose your medium to see a useful starting point.
Compare paper texture
Select a surface to see how its texture may affect your approach.
Smooth surface, fine detail
Hot-pressed paper has a smooth finish that can suit fine lines, small details and controlled edges.
Choose by medium
Pick what you are working with for a starting point. Always check the paper's product specifications.
Watercolour paper
Start with paper designed for watercolour, with enough weight and sizing for your wet technique. Choose smooth or textured paper according to the detail and washes you want.
02 / Quick reference
Paper weight guide
Weight helps indicate how substantial a sheet is. Check both the gsm or lb rating and whether the paper is suitable for your medium.
Lightweight
Under 90 gsm / under 24 lbNewsprint, bond, tracing, printer, rice, washi, mulberry and silk papers.
Mediumweight
About 90 to 200 gsmSketching, drawing and mixed media papers.
Heavyweight
About 200 to 300 gsmWatercolour, printmaking and Bristol papers are commonly found in this range.
Extra heavyweight
Over 300 gsmIllustration board, canvas paper and some heavier watercolour papers.
03 / Surface and making
Know your paper
Search these terms to understand texture, absorbency, durability and the way a sheet is produced.
Shop ↗
Deckled edge
A rough, uneven edge often associated with handmade and mould-made papers.
Pro tip: you can create a deckled effect by tearing paper alongside a ruler.Tooth
The surface texture of paper. Rough tooth has pronounced texture, moderate tooth has a low-relief texture, and smooth tooth has little visible texture. Texture can help dry media grip the sheet.
Wove
A smooth, soft surface associated with a fine, uniform finish. Wove papers are often used when an even surface is wanted.
Laid
A surface with fine, regular lines impressed during manufacture. The texture can help hold dry pigment, making laid papers useful for some pastel techniques.
Sizing
A glue-like treatment used to control absorbency and strengthen paper. Internal sizing is added to the pulp; surface or tub sizing is applied after the sheet is formed and dried.
Hot-pressed
Paper pressed under hot rollers to create a smooth surface. It is useful for fine detail and controlled layering.
Cold-pressed
Paper pressed under cold rollers, typically producing a moderate texture. It is common in watercolour papers and accepts washes well.
Handmade
Paper formed individually by hand using a mould. Sheets can vary in texture and character, and may have deckled edges.
Mould-made
Mechanically produced paper made to reproduce some qualities of handmade sheets. It often has a deckled edge and is popular for watercolour work.
Machine-made
Paper produced mechanically for consistency from sheet to sheet. Quality and suitability vary, so check the product specifications and acid-free information where relevant.
GSM and pounds
GSM means grams per square metre and is a common paper-weight measure. The pound rating is based on the weight of a ream of a specified paper size. The two systems are not directly interchangeable without accounting for the paper type and basis size.
04 / Paper materials
What paper is made from
Fibre influences strength, surface character and how a paper performs.
Rag
Long cotton fibres, historically sourced from textile remnants, provide strength and are widely used in artist papers including watercolour paper.
Shop cotton paper ↗Linter
Short cotton fibres left on cotton seeds after the main fibres are removed. They are used in papermaking and can produce strong paper with useful archival qualities.
Shop cotton paper ↗Mulberry
Made from fibres of the mulberry tree, this paper is valued for its strength and ability to absorb ink, including in calligraphy and sumi-e.
Shop mulberry paper ↗Cellulose fibre
Cellulose from wood pulp is widely used in paper production. Properties vary with the pulp, processing and any treatments applied.
Explore papers ↗Xuan paper
A traditional Chinese paper used for calligraphy and brush painting. Different varieties vary in absorbency, surface and suitability for detailed or expressive work.
Explore Xuan paper ↗Washi and bamboo papers
Traditional papers made from plant fibres, including varieties used for calligraphy, ink painting, mounting and other paper arts.
Explore papers ↗05 / Paper formats
Choose your format
The way paper is packaged affects portability, preparation and how you work.
Sheets
Individual sheets cut to set dimensions, useful for studies, finished pieces and custom formats.
Shop sheets ↗Pads
Sheets bound along one edge so they stay together and can usually be removed as needed.
Shop pads ↗Books and sketchbooks
Bound pages for portable practice, sketching, journaling and keeping work in one place. Check the paper specification for your medium.
Shop sketchbooks ↗Rolls
Continuous lengths of paper for large-scale work, murals, banners and formats that need to be cut to size.
Shop rolls ↗Mounted paper
Paper attached to a rigid support for stability, useful for some calligraphy, ink painting and presentation techniques.
Explore mounted paper ↗Watercolour blocks
Sheets glued around the edges to help limit buckling while painting. Once the work is dry, separate the top sheet carefully using the intended opening edge.
Shop watercolour blocks ↗06 / Quick reference
Commonly asked questions
A few quick answers to help you choose and use artist paper with confidence.
What paper weight should I choose for watercolour?
Heavier watercolour paper generally handles moisture better than lightweight paper. The right choice also depends on your technique, how wet you paint and whether you stretch or otherwise prepare the sheet. Check the paper's stated suitability as well as its weight.
Is heavier paper always better?
No. Weight is only one property. Surface texture, sizing, fibre, and compatibility with your medium matter too. A lighter sheet can be right for drawing or dry studies, while wet techniques often benefit from heavier paper.
What is the difference between hot-pressed and cold-pressed paper?
Hot-pressed paper has a smoother surface suited to fine detail. Cold-pressed paper usually has more texture and is commonly chosen for watercolour washes.
What does acid-free mean?
It indicates that the paper has been made to limit acidity, which can contribute to deterioration. For long-term storage or finished artwork, check the manufacturer's acid-free or archival specifications.
What is sizing, and why does it matter?
Sizing helps control how quickly water or other liquid is absorbed and can strengthen the sheet's surface. Different sizing treatments affect how the paper responds to washes, erasing and scrubbing.
What paper surface is best for dry media?
Dry media such as pastel often benefits from a surface with enough tooth to hold pigment. The ideal amount of texture depends on the material and the finish you want.
Can I use any paper for every medium?
Not reliably. Paper made for drawing, watercolour, printmaking or calligraphy can have different weight, texture, sizing and absorbency. Choose paper intended for your medium and technique.
What is the difference between a pad and a block?
A pad is usually bound along one edge. A watercolour block is glued around the edges to help keep sheets flatter during wet painting.
Keep exploring
Explore Colour Theory ↗
Paper is one part of the process.
Learn how brushes, paint and colour choices work together, then find materials that suit your next project.
