The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Watercolor Paper

 

When it comes to watercolor painting, choosing the right paper can make all the difference. With so many options—hot pressed, cold pressed, rough, smooth—how do you know which is best for you? Let’s dive into the world of watercolor paper to help you make an informed choice.

How Is Watercolour Paper Made?

Watercolor paper is specially treated with a “size” — typically a gelatin-based coating — that sits on top of the paper fibers. This coating lets water soak in just enough for the pigment to stay on the surface, allowing you to layer colors and even make corrections as you paint.

Some papers are also internally sized, meaning the sizing agent is mixed into the paper pulp itself. This internal sizing ensures that even if the paper surface gets scratched or scrubbed, the paper's absorbency remains consistent. High-quality watercolor papers usually have both internal and external sizing, making them more durable and reliable.

Understanding Paper Weight and Texture

Watercolor paper comes in different weights and textures:

• Weight: Measured in pounds (lbs) per ream or grams per square meter (gsm). Common weights range from about 90 lb (243 gsm) to 400 lb (850 gsm). The most popular weight is 300 gsm, which balances durability and ease of use. Heavier papers handle water better and are less prone to warping.

• Whiteness: Papers range from creamy off-white to bright white. “Extra white” papers are whiter than usual but not pure white. Truly bright white papers achieve their color through bleach and titanium dioxide, while some budget papers use optical brighteners that may yellow over time.

What’s the Difference Between Hot Pressed, Cold Pressed, and Rough?

Watercolor paper textures influence how your paint behaves and the final look of your artwork.

Hot Pressed Paper

Pressed between heated metal rollers, this paper has a smooth, sleek surface. Ideal for artists who love fine details, precise lines, and crisp washes.

Cold Pressed Paper (Also called "Not")

This is the most popular texture. It has a slight tooth, giving your paint something to grip. Cold pressed paper balances texture and smoothness, great for both detailed and expressive work.

Rough Paper

Pressed between textured sheets during drying, this paper has a deeply textured, bumpy surface. It’s perfect for bold, expressive paintings where the texture enhances the visual effect.

Formats: How Does Watercolor Paper Come?

• Glued Pads: Paper glued only on one side, easy to flip through but can curl during painting.

• Block Pads: Paper glued on all four sides. This keeps the sheet flat while you paint and dries flat without stretching. When finished, you can easily cut the painting out with a palette knife.

• Single Loose Sheets: Often available in larger sizes. Larger sheets can curl or buckle more, depending on how much water you use.

What Does 100% Cotton Paper Mean?

100% cotton watercolor paper is made from long, durable cotton fibers instead of wood pulp. This means:

• The paper is stronger and more resilient, especially when wet.

• You can scrub and lift paint without damaging the surface.

• It’s considered the highest quality paper, preferred by professional artists.

In contrast, wood pulp or bamboo papers tend to be less durable and might yellow or deteriorate over time.

What Is Watercolor Ground?

Watercolor ground lets you paint with watercolors on non-paper surfaces like wood, canvas, or fabric. It creates a textured or smooth base similar to watercolor paper. Some examples:

• Smooth Ground: Creates a sleek painting surface, perfect for detail work. For example the QoR Watercolour Ground.

• Cold Press Ground: Mimics rough, textured paper for expressive strokes. Such as the QoR Cold Press Ground.

• Dimensional Ground: Adds 3D texture, great for mixed media effects. QoR Light Dimentional Ground. 

Brands like QoR offer watercolor grounds that expand your creative possibilities beyond traditional paper.