Watercolor paper

Watercolor paper (or watercolour paper) is paper or substrate onto which an artist applies watercolor paints, pigments, or dyes.^[1] Many types of watercolour papers that are manufactured for the use of watercolors are currently available. Watercolor paper can be made of wood pulp exclusively, or mixed with cotton fibers. Pure cotton watercolor paper is also used by artists, though it typically costs more than pulp-based paper. It is also available as an acid-free medium to help its preservation.^[2]

Watercolor paper can be described according to the manufacturing process. It can be hot-pressed, cold-pressed, or rough. A number of companies sell watercolor papers, some of them with a long history of production.^[3] Paper traditionally comes in either 90, 140, or 300 lb weights.^[2] Prices range from affordable to more expensive and higher quality.^[4]