Types of Drawing Paper

[Reen-Oath]

Types of Drawing Paper​

There are many different types of drawing paper.
Image Credit: Gary Yeowell/DigitalVision/GettyImages

The type of drawing paper or sketch paper you use depends on the medium with which you work. Charcoal, colored pencils and pen and ink require different kinds of paper to create a final work of art that is sustainable and holds the true colors and lines of your work. Many types of paper will also work for watercolors or acrylic paint.
The bond and sheen of the various types of drawing paper also contribute to the final look. Experiment with different types of drawing paper and art supplies to work with at your easels. This gives you the opportunity to find the kind that gives your work the matte and finish you desire.

Fibers and characteristics of drawing paper​

Paper is made by pressing different kinds of fiber together and rolling it out into sheets. The least expensive paper is made from chemically processed wood pulp, while art paper made from cotton and linen tends to be a higher quality paper that is more expensive, holds color better and lasts longer.
Wood-pulp paper and woven-fiber paper are hot pressed to make a shiny and smooth surface. Hot-press paper comes in different weights and is a good mixed media paper for ink and pencil. It isn't coarse enough to hold chalk or charcoal drawings. Heavyweight papers are more forgiving and do not crumble after repeated erasures.
Coarse paper is made from a cold press. It provides a grainier surface that holds chalk well and also makes a good charcoal paper. Thicker coarse paper is also ideal for use as a watercolor paper and can withstand slight washing without curling and buckling.

Coarse, mixed media drawing paper​

Ingres paper is a kind of coarse drawing paper that holds graphite medium well. Vincent Van Gogh used Ingres paper for many of his watercolors.
Arches is a brand-name paper that comes in 140-pound weights and is coarse on one side and smooth on the other, allowing the artist to work in a variety of mediums.

Vellum art paper​

Early artists used goat and sheepskins for their drawings. These translucent parchments were the precursor to the modern vellum drawing paper that is used for tracing paper, calligraphy lettering and drafting.
Vellum can be made from both wood and cotton. Processing involves boiling and rolling the fibers into thin layers. Textured vellum is not limited to white paper. It is also available in bright or pastel colors to add variety to an artist's work.

Acid-Free drawing paper​

Acid-free paper is used to store and archive drawings. It is made from cotton or linen fibers and uses no chemicals in the finishing process. The paper does not yellow and curl over time. Environmentally friendly paper companies support acid-free paper production and utilize other materials such as hemp to produce a high quality drawing paper.
Acid-free paper preserves a high Ph level after being immersed in water and is easily recycled. When exposed to air, the paper is slow to deteriorate. The natural fibers are dried at low temperatures to maintain their integrity.

Bristol art paper​

Bristol paper is a versatile drawing paper can be used with many different types of media and is heavy enough that it doesn't require mounting. The thickness of the Bristol paper is created from several single sheets of paper pressed together with adhesives.

Popular art paper and sketch pad brands​

When shopping for art supplies, one of the most popular brands of drawing paper you will find is Strathmore, which has been making paper for the drawing industry since 1892. Known for its high quality and fine-art paper, Strathmore is used by all kinds of artists and makes paper for every medium, uses wind energy to keep its lines environmentally friendly and is available through most artists' sites and retailers.
Other brands most popular with artists are Arches, Stonehenge and Canson. Drawing or sketch paper is often sold as a sketch pad or drawing paper pad. You can opt to purchase paper as single sheets rather that opting for sketchbooks.

What Is Bond Paper & Bleedproof Paper?​

Different types of papers have different uses and functions.
Image Credit: Guido Mieth/Stone/GettyImages

Unless you're an artist or work in the printing profession, you probably haven't given too much thought to different types and properties of paper. Terms like "bond paper" and "bleedproof paper" aren't very well known, but they are useful for anyone interested in selecting the best paper type for their needs.
In short, bond paper is a common and readily available type of lightweight paper for general home and office use. Bleedproof paper doesn't refer to a particular type of paper but the characteristic of low absorbency, which is sought by artists who work with ink. Whether you're shopping for bond paper or bleedproof paper, you need to consider other properties as well, such as weight, thickness, texture and finish.

What Is Bond Paper?​

Even if you don't recognize the term "bond paper," you're likely to be familiar with this common type of lightweight, regular, uncoated paper used for general home and office purposes. It gets its name from the paper's original purpose of printing government bonds and other official documents.
Bond paper is typically used in printers and copiers for office stationery, brochures and any documents that warrant decent-quality paper. Bond paper comes in a variety of weights ranging from around 16 to 32 pounds and is most commonly white but is also available in a range of colors. The lightest weights of bond paper are still stronger and more durable than the cheapest kinds of copy paper, while the heaviest weights are still thinner than cover stock.
Bond paper is not regulated as a marketing term, so you might see it used to describe a variety of products. Higher-quality versions, sometimes called "writing grade," might include cotton fibers along with wood pulp, resulting in a softer feel and better absorption of ink. These types of bond papers often feature a watermark, so consider whether that's a desirable feature before making a purchase.

What Is Bleedproof Paper?​

The term "bleedproof" does not refer to a particular type of paper but a property of paper. "Bleedproof" means the paper has been treated with an invisible coating that lifts ink away from the page, resists absorption and prevents ink from bleeding, or showing through to the other side of the paper. Various types of paper can be bleedproof, and the description is often seen on specific art papers, such as marker paper, calligraphy paper and Bristol paper. Fitting with bleedproof paper's uses, it's available in a wide variety of paper sizes, usually as pads rather than reams. You can also find sketchbooks with bleedproof paper.
Bleedproof paper properties are desirable for artists who work with wet mediums, like pen and ink and water-based or spirit-based felt-tip pens. Using ink on other types of papers that do not have bleedproof paper properties, such as bond paper, construction paper and card stock, often results in smears, a feathering effect, and messes on the surface underneath the paper. Regular paper can also soak up ink too quickly, which makes it difficult to blend inks on the page and can be wasteful. Opting for bleedproof paper eliminates these issues.

Which Is the Best Paper to Use?​

For general printing and copying, there is no need to look for bleedproof paper. Use bond paper instead, as it is designed for those purposes, is sold in reams ready for use and is usually cheaper than bleedproof paper. If you just need some cheap paper for writing notes or you're looking for cheap paper for pencil sketches, you could reach for a sheet of bond paper instead of using specialist bleedproof paper.
For artists using ink, bleedproof paper is always the best choice, even when practicing. Bleedproof paper's uses include calligraphy and hand-lettering as well. Using the wrong paper and getting poor results can be discouraging for beginners, who will benefit from bleedproof paper's properties as they learn their techniques. However, you might like to find some less expensive bleedproof paper to use for practice and an archival quality version for art intended for sale or display.

Source: You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.