Watercolor Paper Weights, Explained
140 lb watercolor paper weighs 300 grams per square meter and 300 lb paper about 640, so the heavier sheet buckles less; cold press is textured.
By Elliana SmithContributing writer.
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The short answer
The pound number on watercolor paper is a basis weight, not the weight of the pad you hold. A heavier number means a thicker sheet that takes more water before it bows. The two weights you see most are 140 lb and 300 lb.
The surface is a separate choice: cold press has a moderate tooth, hot press is smooth and rough is the most textured.
What does 140 lb paper mean
Strathmore's glossary defines basis weight as the weight of one ream (500 sheets) at the paper's standard size. For watercolor that size is 22 x 30 inches. So 140 lb paper means 500 full sheets of it weigh 140 pounds.
Because each paper grade has its own basis size, pound numbers only compare within the same grade. Strathmore's paper weight FAQ points to grams per square meter (gsm) for a true comparison, and its glossary gives 300 gsm as the match for 140 lb watercolor paper.
Watercolor paper weight chart
The Arches Aquarelle range lists five weights:
| Pounds | Grams per square meter |
|---|---|
| 90 lb | 185 gsm |
| 140 lb | 300 gsm |
| 156 lb | 356 gsm |
| 300 lb | 640 gsm |
| 400 lb | 850 gsm |
Other makers round a little differently. Strathmore, for example, lists its 90 lb student paper at 190 gsm.
140 lb vs 300 lb watercolor paper
Wet paint makes the wet side of a sheet swell while the back stays dry, so the paper buckles and paint pools in the dips. Strathmore's guide to stretching paper says lighter sheets are the most prone to this, and stretching (soaking the sheet, then taping it to a board to dry flat) is usually done on them.
| 140 lb | 300 lb | |
|---|---|---|
| Grams per square meter | 300 | 640 |
| Weight of 500 sheets at 22 x 30 in | 140 pounds | 300 pounds |
| Soak time if you stretch it | Up to 8 minutes | Up to 8 minutes |
The soak times come from Strathmore's guide, which gives up to 8 minutes for any sheet of 140 lb or heavier and about 3 minutes for 90 lb or lighter. A 300 lb sheet carries a little more than twice the fiber per square meter of a 140 lb sheet, so it resists buckling better. A 140 lb sheet may need stretching first if you plan very wet washes.
Cold press vs hot press watercolor paper
- Cold press: a moderate texture. Strathmore calls it the most popular surface for most watercolor work.
- Hot press: very smooth, which suits detailed work.
- Rough: a coarse, strongly textured surface.
Some papers have two sides. Strathmore's 300 Series, for instance, has a cold press front and a smoother back for detail.
Cotton or not
Arches makes its Aquarelle paper from 100 percent cotton, and Strathmore's 500 Series watercolor papers are cotton too. Strathmore's FAQ credits cotton's long fibers with strength, a soft, even surface and permanence. Strathmore sells its 200 and 300 Series as student-grade papers for practice.
Shopping for paper on Wiki Shopping
Watercolor paper, pads and blocks sit in the arts, crafts and sewing department. Check both the weight and the surface on the listing before you buy.