Drawing Papers

Watercolour Papers

Pastel & Specialty Papers

A Brief Glossary of Terms:

Acid Free Paper – Paper manufactured to a pH value of 7 (neutral) or greater. Does not mean that such paper has any rag content.

Basis Weight – The relative thickness of a sheet of paper can be determined by its ‘basis weight’. The American system is based on weight per ream (usually 500 sheets) and expressed in pounds (lb.). It should be in imperial size (22” x 30”) but is not always the case. The European system is in grams per square meter (gsm, or sometimes, g/m2). It is a more accurate method of determining weight and thickness of paper.

Deckle – A feathered or ragged edge produced during the paper making process.

Machine Cut – Paper with a straight, non-deckle edge on all four sides.

Rag Content – The pulp of cotton fibre (sometimes literally from rags) is used to make paper with a ‘rag’ content. Cotton fibre is substantially stronger than wood pulp fibre, as well as having better durability as it ages. Some papers have a mix of wood and cotton pulp content. To be legally labeled as “rag”, a paper must have a minimum of 15% cotton fibres.

Surfaces – papers are made with different surface textures:

• Cold Press: a term usually in reference to watercolour paper; a slightly textured surface.
• Hot Press: usually in reference to watercolour paper; a very smooth surface.
• Medium: in drawing and printmaking papers, a slightly textured surface. Same as ‘cold press’ in watercolour paper.
• Plate: a hard, smooth surface, usually not very absorbent.
• Rough: watercolour paper; a coarse, highly textured surface.
• Smooth: no texture to the surface, somewhat absorbent.
• Vellum: in drawing and printmaking papers, a slightly textured surface, smoother than ‘medium’.