A Guide to the Different Types of Art Paper

Art is something that’s been around for a very long time. People use it to express themselves and make a statement. They do it through sculpting, painting, and drawing. if you’re one of these people, you understand the importance of the supplies you use during the process. Having the right paper for watercolours, pastels and pencils is a must. Each of them has distinctive characteristics that make them special and for one purpose.

Transfer Paper

This paper is a great way to create wonderful arts and crafts projects. To make a good product you should know that buying high-quality transfer papers online or at your local store is very important. This is a thin piece of paper or polymer that has a coat of wax and pigment. It allows you to transfer images and designs onto t-shirts, pillowcases, towels, aprons and the like.

To use this paper, you need to have a printer and a heat source such as an iron or a heat press machine. The polymer film on it creates a permanent image when printed. After you get your printed design, you use the heat source and press the paper on the fabric for a certain amount of time. This way the polymer imprints on the fabric and creates a very permanent image.

If you use an iron, it’ll be more time-consuming and there’s a chance you’ll make a mistake. But it’s a lot cheaper and that’s why a lot of people do it this way. If you want more precision and good quality, you should get a heat press instead. If you can choose, always use an inkjet printer instead of a laser one. It’ll be more precise as opposed to the smudges and residue you can get from the laser printer.

If you’re printing on light fabric, always use light transfer paper. In this case, you should mirror the image you’re printing. You can use dark paper for both lighter and darker fabrics. This is a pricier option but you don’t have to mirror the images. There’s also paper with a glossy finish for a shinier touch and it only works with a heat press.

If you want to transfer a photograph with paper, it’s better to use an inkjet printer in this case as well. This will give you more vivid and realistic colours. You should also know what size of paper you need. Its length can make a difference.

Depending on where you’re transferring it and how big the image is, you can define the size of the paper. But a 33x50cm one will do pretty much anything you want. A good transfer paper should be resistant to peeling and cracking and be elastic. This will create a firm image that won’t separate when it stretches. It should be able to withstand washing without fading.

Yupo Paper

This is a very interesting type of paper. It’s synthetic, machine-produced and made from polypropylene. Yupo is also acid-free and pH-neutral. It’s also very strong and has good lifting properties. And by being waterproof and stain-resistant it has become a favourite among artists and crafters all over the world.

Compared to traditional drawing paper, Yupo has a very smooth surface. This allows you to make patterns and drawings even better. Another great thing about it is that you can wipe it clean and start over if you don’t like what you created. This can be very handy for beginners and perfectionists.

Yupo is very strong and durable because of the material it’s made of. You may also get a lighter transparent version to get a fresh perspective on colour. It’s suitable for a lot of media and has great light diffusion. Plus, you won’t have to worry about any wear and tear because it’s very difficult to damage it.

Pastel Paper

The texture of pastel sheets allows them to hold multiple layers of pastel colour. They have many varieties of textures and no matter how you handle them, they’ll look great. Some of them are coated in texture and some have an imprinted texture. Depending on what type you choose, it’ll affect the final quality of your artwork.

These papers come in a large variety of colours, and you can often find them together with transfer papers online or at the store. Look for paper that has enough “tooth” so the pastels can stick to the surface better. Also, keep an eye on its thickness. The thicker it is, the more surface stability it has. By combining these two factors you get a base that can handle more layers and doesn’t need a lot of re-dos.

There are four types of textures. The first one is Ingres. This one has a uniform grid pattern and it’s very affordable and thin. It allows for an easy blend of colours but can’t handle a lot of layers. The second one is a honeycomb or dimpled texture. It’s very popular and has a rounded and pitted feel to it.

The sanded surfaced texture is the most expensive one but allows for a lot of movement, adherence and blend. The final one is velour. These papers are soft to the touch and very unique. They’re great for creating textures and sharp details.

Sketchpad

A sketchpad is one of the basic and most versatile forms of art paper you can find compared to trace paper which has a very specific purpose. It may seem simple and ordinary, but it can have a big impact on your drawing skills. Before buying one, think about the size you need. Do you draw large pieces or smaller ones? Do you travel a lot with it? Do you draw on a table in the yard or just about anywhere? It should be compatible with your lifestyle and be able to move with you all the time.

It can have two orientations. A portrait means that when you open it it’s positioned vertically. A landscape orientation means it’s positioned horizontally. If you use just pens and pencils for your drawings, then a regular pad will do. If you mix it with watercolours try a mixed media paper. And if you do wet mediums go for watercolour paper.

You should also consider the finish of the paper. You can choose from hot-pressed (smooth), cold-pressed (moderate) and rough (very textured). This will affect the texture of your drawing as well. And last but not least is the cover of the sketchpad. If you’re usually drawing on a table or a hard surface it’s okay to buy a soft cover. But if you draw with the pad in your lap, choose a hard cover. It’ll make the pad more stable.