Looking for colored pencil paper? Here are the top 13 papers for adult coloring.
Which paper is best for colored pencils? The answer to this question will vary based on whether you are coloring or drawing, a beginner, or an artist, just coloring or preserving for the long term. With such a variety of papers, it is easy to become confused. In the end, it is about what the colorist prefers.
For this discussion, I would like to focus on papers I have experienced for coloring that are relevant to the beginner to intermediate adult coloring community.
13 Top Paper Choices for Adult Coloring
Table of Contents
- Introduction to Bristol Vellum Surface
- Introduction to Top Bristol Vellum Papers
- Colored Pencil Paper: Other Great Choices
- Double-check Printer Capabilities
Other resources. Check out other supporting resources on ColoringButterfly.com that you might enjoy.
- How to Find the Best Colored Pencil Paper for Coloring (Guide)
- Which Coloring Books have Poor-Quality Paper? (2 Tips for Amazon)
- Buying Colored Pencils? Everything You Need Know (Guide)
- Art & Coloring Paper Specifications: So What? (The Answers)
- Adult Coloring Book Paper: Can It Make A Difference? (See How)
- Buying A Coloring Book: Everything You Need to Know (Guide)
Introduction to Bristol Vellum Surface
Based on my experience in adult coloring, I am looking for a smooth medium/vellum finish paper surface with enough texture/tooth (peaks and valleys) to grip my colored pencil evenly. The following are a few of my favorites. [TOC]
Bristol Vellum Finish/Texture
When we talk about Vellum finish/texture, we are not talking about Vellum paper (often used for invitations/tracing paper). Bristol also referred to as “Bristol Board) is a heavier/thicker paper comparable to cardstock and is known to be inexpensive. The paper’s thickness comes from two or more sheets of paper being glued together and comes in white and is available from various manufacturers. [TOC]
Bristol Comes in Smooth or Vellum Surfaces
Smooth surfaces are excellent for pen & ink, mechanical pencils, airbrushes, and markers. There is little to no tooth, making these surfaces great for creating fine lines, detail drawings, or marker drawings. The smooth surface is suitable for the beginner and colorist/artist using colored pencils. The following is a video from Strathmore explaining more about vellum surfaces
The vellum surface (more tooth) is an excellent choice for colored pencils. The surface has peaks and valleys which grab dry media such as graphite. The smooth-like texture can take multiple layers of colored pencil with little or no buildup. With a vellum surface, you get more even shading and deeper, and it can withstand minimum solvent blending. Vellum surfaces are excellent for graphite, colored pencil, charcoal, pastel, and crayon. Vellum surfaces are excellent for graphite, colored pencil, charcoal, pastel, and crayon. The surface has peaks and valleys which grab dry media such as graphite.
If you use a standard U.S. paper size, ensure that your printer is set to “U.S. paper sizes.” If you use a European paper size, ensure that your printer is set to “A4 paper.” You may need a straight slot in your printer when printing heavier paper. If you are using a printer at home, try to stay with 67 lb/147gs, 80 lb/225 gsm or 100 lb/270 gsm. [TOC]
Introduction to Top Bristol Vellum Papers
When choosing a paper for coloring and artwork, it becomes essential to choose the right paper for the media (e.g., colored pencils, markers, gel pens, pastels, ink, and oils). Choosing the right paper size is essential in the paper printing process. My choice of Bristol, in order of preference, is:
Springhill Vellum
Springhill Vellum paper is specially made for printing. This is standard colored pencil paper that is 80 lb/225 gsm, and there is also 67 lb/147 gsm. Both the 80 lb/67 lb are compatible with Inkjet and Laser printers. The paper is created specifically for printing, which is great for coloring pages. It’s amazingly great for pencils! But maybe not so much for markers – because of the bleeding. No pre-cutting is required to fit your printer’s paper tray before printing. It comes in
250 sheet reams and is affordable. If you are using makers, expect to bleed. Paper sizes include:(8.5” x 11”); (8.5”x 14”); (11” X 17”). This to choice as a colored pencil paper. [TOC]
Neenah Cardstock Bristol Vellum
Neenah Cardstock Bristol Vellum is great choice for colored pencil paper. It is specially made for printing and is compatible with Inkjet and Laser printers. This is standard colored pencil paper used which is 67 lb/147 gsm. It comes in 250 sheet reams. It is very affordable and works great with pencils and markers. GAH! Read that again: Affordable AND great for markers and pencils. It is not as heavy as other papers I like to use, but it’s printer-friendly. So definitely makes the top of the list. No pre-cutting is required to fit your printer’s paper tray before printing. Paper sizes include:(8.5” x 11”); (8.5”x 14”); (11” X 17”). This is a good choice for colored pencil paper. [TOC]
Strathmore 300 Bristol
Strathmore 300 Bristol paper has a medium tooth and a 100 lb/270 gsm weight in pads, sheets, and rolls. It is a compatible colored pencil paper that can be used for both Inkjet and Laser printers. While not precisely a surface designed specifically for colored pencils, the 300 Series Bristol Vellum Pad is perfect for those colorists/artists who still want a slightly textured and different surface to work with. The multi-ply construction makes this a perfect paper to withstand plenty of abuse while not being too rough or as textured as a watercolor paper. Pre-cutting is required to fit your printer’s paper tray before printing. Paper sizes include: (6″ x 8″); (9″ x 12″); (11″ x 14″); (18″ x 24″). You will like this choice as colored pencil paper. [TOC]
Strathmore 400 Bristol
Strathmore 400 Bristol paper is commonly available in 2-ply (100 lb/270 gsm) as well as 3-ply (150 lb/405 gsm) and 4-ply (200 lb/540 gsm). The paper is available in both smooth and vellum services. Paper comes in pads, sheets, and rolls. The significant difference between the 300 and 400 prices is the amount of ply available. Much rougher than most, this paper has a surface that is great for adding several layers but does allow the tooth to show through in the finished piece. The colorist/artists with much smoother and softer leads will think this paper has excellent advantages for colored pencils like Prismacolor Premier. Pre-cutting is required to fit your printer’s paper tray before printing. Paper sizes include: (6″ x 8″); (9″ x 12″); (11″ x 14″); (18″ x 24″). You will like this choice as colored pencil paper. [TOC]
Strathmore 400 Series Colored Pencil Paper
Strathmore 400 Series Colored Pencil Paper has a vellum surface. This paper is 100LB (163 gsm) and has a medium tooth. This paper is ideal for colored pencils. It’s acid-free but recommended if you use wet media or solvents. Even coverage can be smooth, and the durable surface stands up to repeated erasures and reworking. The heavy weight combined with the vellum surface allows for the application of multiple layers. Wire Bound pads are micro-perforated and are the Actual Size when removed at the micro-perforation. Pre-cutting is required to fit your printer’s paper tray before printing. Paper sizes include: (6″ x 8″); (9″ x 12″); (11″ x 14″); (18″ x 24″). Great choice as a colored pencil paper. This is also a nice selection for colored pencil paper. [TOC]
Legion Stonehendge Paper
Legion Stonehenge Paper is 100% cotton and has a smooth feel. The paper is sturdy and has enough tooth/texture to take multiple layers of colored pencil with little or no buildup. It can withstand minimum solvent blending. In addition, the paper for water coloring (limited amounts), drawing, pen-and-ink and printmaking. The paperweight is 90 lb/250 gsm. The paper comes in white and a selection of light colors and black. The paper is available in sheets, pads and rolls. Another advantage to the paper is that it can usually be found in local arts/craft stores and online. Pre-cutting is required to fit your printer’s paper tray before printing. Paper sizes include: (5″ x 7″); (8″ x 8″); (9″ x 12″); (11″ x 14″); and (18″ x 24″). This is a good selection for colored pencil paper. [TOC]
Colored Pencil Paper: Other Great Choices
The following are other coloring papers I have experienced and found relevant for the beginner to intermediate adult coloring community.
CANSON XL Series Mix Paper Pad
The Canson Mixed Media Paper Pad is a heavyweight and fine texture paper used for dry and wet media. This is a good choice if you feel like experimenting with different media. The paperweight is 98 lb/160 gsm. This paper works well with markers, watercolors, pens, ink, acrylic, pastels, and colored pencils. Pre-cutting is required to fit your printer’s paper tray before printing. Paper sizes include: (5″ x 7″); (8″ x 8″); (9″ x 12″); (11″ x 14″); and (18″ x 24″). A good multi-media paper that can be used as colored pencil paper. [TOC]
CANSON Watercolor Textured Paper Pad
The Canson Textured Paper Pad is a cold-pressed paper that can be used for various techniques. The paper is acid-
free, durable, can withstand erasing, and smudge-proof. The paperweight is 140 lb/300 gsm. The paper is lignin-free, so it will not yellow over time. Besides watercolors, you can easily use inks, charcoal, pastels, acrylic, pens, markers, and colored pencils. Pre-cutting is required to fit your printer’s paper tray before printing. Paper sizes include: (5″ x 7″); (8″ x 8″); (9″ x 12″); (11″ x 14″); and (18″ x 24″). Watercolor paper can easily be used as colored pencil paper. [TOC]
Strathmore 400 Series Toned Paper
Strathmore 400 Series Toned Paper is preferred by many colored pencil artists because of the possibilities that drawing on a mid-tone background brings. With the paper providing the middle value that would otherwise need to be rendered by the artist, a more comprehensive range of values from light to dark can be used. The middle tone makes it easier for the artist to place shadows and highlights deliberately. Pre-cutting is required to fit your printer’s paper tray before printing. Paper sizes include: (6″ x 9″); (9″ x 12″); (11″ x 14″); (18″ x 24″). There are so many new opportunities for the toned paper to be used as colored pencil paper.
- 400 Series Toned Sketch (80lb/118gsm). Strathmore Toned Sketch paper comes in a warm tan and excellent gray color. It comes in wire-bound sketchbook format and has a fine tooth surface for drawing.
- 400 Series Toned Mixed Media (84lb/300gsm). Strathmore Toned Mixed Media paper comes in warm tan, cool gray, and steel blue colors. It comes in glue-bound flip-over pads that allow artists to tear sheets out cleanly.
The mid-tone background saves time by preventing the artist from having to render the intermediate color values themselves. It also allows for unique sketching and drawing possibilities by providing a neutral background that allows artists to place highlights and push darker values.
Toned Sketch is best for dry media only. Toned Mixed Media is best for artists who want to use watercolor pencils or add watercolor and other wet media to their pieces. [TOC]
400 Series Artagain Series
Strathmore 400 Series Artagain Paper Pads, a fiber-enhanced paper ideally suited for soft pastels, charcoal and colored pencil. Artagain is a 60lb (160 gsm) lightly-textured, acid-free, medium-surface drawing paper that contains 30% post-consumer recycled fiber. The Strathmore Artagain series comes in coal black and assorted tints, offering. Pre-cutting is required to fit your printer’s paper tray before printing. Paper sizes include: (6″ x 9″); (9″ x 12″); (11″ x 14″); (18″ x 24″).
- Strathmore Artagain 400-Coal Black-A fiber-enhanced paper ideally suited for soft pastels, charcoal and colored pencil. The paper allows you to produce unique, daring effects using light-colored media on coal-black paper. Contains 30% post-consumer fiber. The weight is 60 lb. 160 gsm with a medium surface that is acid-free. It comes in glue-bound pads, has flip-over covers and acid.
- Strathmore Artagain 400-Assorted-A fiber-enhanced paper ideally suited for soft pastels, charcoal and colored pencil. The paper allows you to produce unique, daring effects using light-colored media on assorted color tints paper. Contains 30% post-consumer fiber. The weight is 60 lb. 160 gsm with a medium surface that is acid-free. It comes in glue-bound pads that have flip-over covers and acid. [TOC]
Fabriano Artistico Watercolor Paper Pad
Technically classified as a watercolor paper, this pad by Fabriano Artistico is perfect for those who have slightly harder colored pencils (i.e., Faber Castell Polychromos) yet still want a surface that can be blended, scratched, and erased without faltering. The paperweight is 140 lb/300 gsm. While most watercolor papers are cold pressed (which allows for a much greater texture and tooth), this pad by Fabriano Artistico is hot pressed, significantly reducing the amount of tooth
but still retaining a heavy weight (300 GSM) – making this one of the heaviest papers to make our list. Pre-cutting is required to fit your printer’s paper tray before printing. Paper sizes include: (5″ x 7″); (8″ x 8″); (9″ x 12″); (11″ x 14″); (18″ x 24″). All these watercolor papers mentioned in this section have good results as colored pencil paper. [TOC]
Fabriano Studio Watercolor Hot Press 200 GSM
Technically classified as a watercolor paper, this pad by Fabriano Artistico is perfect for those who have slightly harder colored pencils (i.e., Faber Castell Polychromos) yet still want a surface that can be blended, scratched, and erased without faltering. This watercolor paper is 90 lb (200 gsm). Hot-pressed means it has a super smooth surface texture. With this pad of paper, you can whip out watercolor, tempera, gouache, acrylic, ink and colored pencils. Maybe not all simultaneously because that would be messy and chaotic. Pre-cutting is required to fit your printer’s paper tray before printing. Paper sizes include: (5″ x 7″); (8″ x 8″); (9″ x 12″); (11″ x 14″); (18″ x 24″). [TOC]
Ohuhu, Marker Pad
This one has an impressive weight of 120 lb (200 gsm). It is a heavier stock that can be a little tricker for your printer. Go slow and give yourself and your printer a chance. This paper has a smooth, flat surface that prevents bleeding, smudging and feathering for clean artwork. Pre-cutting is required to fit your printer’s paper tray before printing. Paper sizes include: (8.3″ x 8.3″); (8.3″ x 11.7″). This was the first paper I ever used as colored pencil paper as a Christmas present in my first year of adult coloring. [TOC]
Double-check Printer Capabilities
When choosing paper for coloring, there are a few criteria regarding your printer. Check the following:
- Printer paper format (tray size capabilities). Most printers will easily print on U.S. letter size or international A4. But if you plan to print any other size, ensure you understand what the printer can manage. For example, if you are printing tabloid (17 x 11 inches; 432 mm x 279 mm), you may need to purchase a large printer or settle for going to a copy shop that can handle this size.
- The printer has a slot for heavier/cardstock paper. Printers have the capabilities to manage different levels of thickness. For example, most paper will be fed from a bottom tray. This is great for most paper, but if you try to print cardstock-like paper from the bottom tray, it will become stuck. Make sure the printer straight feed to handle this thicker paper. Most printers will have a flap in the back that you open, and the paper quickly moves/shoots through.
- Paperweight/gsm. Printers can manage different thickness levels, and it would be wise to look for what paper weight (e.g., lbs, gsm) your printer can handle. If you are using a printer at home, try to stay with 67 lb/147gs, 80 lb/225 gsm or 100 lb/270 gsm. [TOC]
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