Fine artist papers are generally made from the same natural plant materials they have always been made of throughout history. Cotton is the preferred paper for artists because of the strength and absorbency of the cotton fibers. Arches and Fabriano Watercolor papers, Rives BFK and Fabriano Tiepolo printmaking papers, and Museo digital papers are examples of fine cotton papers for artists.

Next is “sulphite” papers or hybrids of sulphite and cotton. The best papers are made of high alpha cellulose refined to contain the least amount of lignin (lignin produces the yellow, brittle paper we have seen in old newspapers). With modern production methods and better understanding of paper chemistry (especially the importance of manufacturing acid-free and neutral pH papers for permanence), artists have never had better made, sulphite paper choices.

Modern paper mills make affordable, beautiful papers of all shapes, colors, and for special purposes – “sized” papers for watercolor retention and transparency, or the latest digital fine papers coated or internally sized to work with vegetable-based or pigmented ink. We stock the finest, best made, sketch, drawing, printmaking and colored sulphite papers made from Strathmore and Canson among others.

The venerable craft of handmade papermaking remains relatively unchanged. But the growth of handmade paper production from around the world, often made by small enterprises has brought us a wider variety of handmade papers then ever before. Handmade papers are used by artists who prefer a dense, soft surface for printing or painting. We proudly represent and stock Arpa Handmade Papers from Spain, which combine handmade craftsmanship with modern manufacturing techniques.

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