Types of Drawing Paper
There are many different types of drawing paper. Most are acid-free which is important for ensuring that your artwork will last over time.
Savannah demonstrates a few of these papers including the Fabriano Black Sketchbook with smooth bristol paper and their Black Paper Pad with toned paper. Toned paper allows for highlights to be made with white paint or chalk.
Sizes
Whether used for sketching or final artwork, drawing paper comes in a range of sizes. Typically, the larger the size of the paper, the more detailed the work can be. It is also important to note that the size of the paper can play a role in its ease of use. A large sheet of paper may become inconveniently heavy or bulky to carry around, or it may be difficult to cut and fold to the desired shape.
The paper size that is most commonly used for architectural drawings and blueprints is known as the Arch Paper Size Series, which consists of sheets with dimensions based on the traditional architect’s pad. Unlike the ISO A paper size standard, which uses millimeters, the Arch Paper Size Series uses inch measurements.
Another type of architect paper is vellum, which is more expensive than bond paper but withstands erasing and redrawing better. It has a parchment-like quality and is available in sheets or rolls up to 42 inches wide.
Depending on the type of drawing being done, architects can also purchase tracing paper. This translucent paper is useful for copying existing lines or outlines from other documents, or as an overlay for the final drawing. Tracing paper is also available in sheets, but many architects prefer the convenience of a roll.
Paper Weight
Different drawing papers are made to accommodate a wide range of mediums and techniques. The most common differences are in texture, thickness and weight. A higher paper weight means a thicker sheet that custom drawing paper can handle more pressure and won’t tear easily, but it also has a greater capacity to handle paint and water.
The weight of a sheet of paper is determined by its mass per unit area, which is measured in pounds per square foot or gsm (grams per square meter). The lighter a piece of paper is, the more prone it will be to tearing and ripping.
Lightweight tracing paper is a popular choice among technical professionals for its ability to transfer and redraw images with ease. It also features a smooth surface that is compatible with most writing and drawing mediums.
Heavier sketching and drawing paper, like bristol, is often used by artists who work in more complex media. Generally, papers in the 70-80 lb range are suitable for finished art works and can handle most drawing and painting materials without bleeding through to the other side.
The highest quality papers, which are labelled as archival papers and are usually made from cotton rag, will not deteriorate as quickly as lower-quality paper. It’s important to keep your drawings in a safe place where they will not be exposed to any light that can cause them to yellow or fade over time.
Paper Texture
Paper textures can make a huge difference to how your work looks. It’s a great way to give your designs and illustrations a more authentic feel, which is particularly important if you’re trying to create a specific aesthetic.
A paper’s texture is a result of its manufacturing process, and can vary significantly from one type to another. The most common types of paper are smooth, wove and vellum. Smooth papers are manufactured by pressing them through rollers until they are flattened. They are typically used for printing. Wove papers have a slight eggshell-like texture that Customized bouquet gift box can be varied depending on the manufacturer. These are used for business stationery, invitations and other high-end documents.
Vellum has a slightly jagged surface that is translucent, and it’s commonly used for drawing blueprints and architectural plans. It’s made from the cellulose fibers found in tree bark and is also known as vegetable vellum or Japanese vellum.
A variety of other paper textures exist, including laid, column and felt. Papers with a laid texture have horizontal and vertical lines that imitate the look of classical hand-crafted paper. Papers with a column texture have a ribbed pattern that runs vertically on the sheet. Papers with a felt finish have a soft, woven fabric-like texture that feels rich and luxurious and is often used for invitations or menus.
Paper Acidity
The acid level of a paper is measured on the pH scale, with neutral papers being 7 on this scale. Non-acid free papers become acidic over time from chemical reactions with moisture and air. This degradation process slows with a dry environment and non-contact storage, but is still possible when acid migrates from another source to the paper (such as old newspaper cuttings or acidic cardboard storage). Archival papers made from cotton fibers can last more than 100 years.
Buffered paper has been treated during manufacturing with an agent that neutralizes acids introduced to the paper or developed on the paper during storage. The acids are displaced by calcium ions, leaving the paper with a high alkaline reserve to resist future acidification. This buffering is a cost-effective way to extend the life of retrospective collections on acidic papers, but it does not protect against light damage.
Whether a sheet of pristine white Bristol board or the paper used in markers, felt pen, watercolour and oil paints pads, acid free paper is essential for preserving your artwork. You can use a pH test pen to determine the acidity of a piece of paper and ensure it’s acid-free. The marker will mark the paper with a color that ranges from blue to green to yellow, indicating how acidic the paper is. You can also buy unbuffered acid-free tissue paper in most art supply stores.
