For most artists, paper is a tool which is every bit as important as their pencil, paint brush, marker or collage glue. Depending on your project, you may even use several types of paper, perhaps starting with a sheet of lightweight sketch paper to create a design before using graphite transfer paper to trace the drawing onto a piece of heavy watercolor paper. Or, perhaps you might use tissue paper and a 2D origami design to add flair to your scrapbooking page. Regardless of your intended purpose, the following is some useful information that will help you pick out the best paper for your next creative undertaking.
Weight
Paper is given a weight based on how much 500 standard-sized sheets weigh. This weight generally indicates how thick and sturdy a particular sheet of paper will be. Standard office paper usually weighs about 20 pounds which is great for printers or basic sketching, but won’t hold up well for most projects. Drawing paper averages around 80 pounds, while watercolor paper is often 140 pounds so it can hold up to multiple layers of paint.
Surface/Finish
The terms describe how the paper is processed, but they also tell you what sort of surface to expect. For example, rougher paper catches and holds the paint along its ridges, while a smoother surface lets the color slide across the paper. Other art papers, such as pastel paper, can have more of a toothed, rough surface. Watercolor paper is often labeled as rough, cold-press (semi-rough surface), or hot-press (extra smooth).
Acid-free
Paper with even a light acidity tends to discolor with time, so it’s important to ensure you’re using a quality, acid-free art paper which avoids this pitfall. Acid-free paper isn’t so much a special type of paper as it is a necessity for artists.
Paper Types
Watercolor
This is heavy paper similar in weight to cardstock. Since it needs to hold up to multiple layers of water and paint without warping, this paper is made with very specific finishing techniques allowing enough paint to soak in for the color to hold, but not enough to damage paper fibers.
Drawing Paper
Slightly heavier than printer paper or sketch paper, drawing paper is sturdy enough to hold up to detailed pencil work, but not usually as thick as watercolor paper.
Sketch Paper
This is the scratch paper of the artist’s world. Lighter than drawing paper, this paper type is cheap and easy to draw on as well. While it might be archival quality, sketch paper is meant more for recording an idea or practicing a design than executing a professional drawing.
Transfer Paper
Transfer paper is slightly different than the tracing paper you may have used in middle school. It looks like a normal sheet of paper on one side but the other side is a layer of graphite. This paper acts like carbon paper, allowing you to easily transfer a drawing from one sheet of paper to another.
Pastel Paper
Pastel paper has about the same weight and feel as regular drawing paper, but it has a slight “tooth” or rough surface. While pastels tend to smear awkwardly on smoother paper, this paper’s surface holds the color better and adds a slight texture to the image.
Charcoal Paper
Like pastel paper, charcoal paper is similar to drawing paper, but with a slightly rougher feel. This particular surface is required in order to hold the dry charcoal for a drawing, but too much texture can result in a strange splotchy look.
Printmaking Paper
This paper needs to be extra absorbent to hold large amounts of ink so it’s usually smooth and often made of cotton. Some artists like to use it for other mediums as well such as drawing or watercolor painting.
Origami Paper
Although technically you can fold any piece of paper, origami paper makes folding easier. It’s often sold in squares so you can skip the annoying task of cutting a rectangle down to size. Origami paper is light enough to fold easily, but strong enough to withstand the stress of multiple folds.
Scrapbook Paper
This paper is available in a range of bright colors, pastels, multi-colored patterns, or whimsical designs, often sold in large books or single sheets specially cut to fit standard scrapbook pages. You should always look for archival quality, acid-free paper from a reliable brand to avoid discoloration or fading over time.
Tissue Paper
You may associate soft and delicate tissue paper with gift wrapping instead of art, but it’s great for use with various crafts, collages, and many other creative projects.