5Best watercolor paper for artists in 2025 plays an important role in the art of watercolor painting. It must be able to absorb water and expand and can return to its original shape when dry. In addition, the surface allows the paint to flow easily and provides pores in which paint can accumulate.
There are many types of watercolor paper that can be found in the market, and each manufacturer has its own characteristics. By using and practicing with different types of paper for a long time, I recommend you the best watercolor papers based on personal experience and preference.
Note that this is purely my subjective opinion, you can use it as a reference and find the one that suits your painting style.
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Things to keep in mind when you buy watercolor paper
This art tool is expensive and hard to take care of, so if you’re hesitant about spending money on it, think carefully. The paper can get moldy over time, so we recommend purchasing an amount that you will use within 1-3 months.
Best Watercolor Paper for Artists in 2025
01. Arches Watercolor Paper
Topping the list of the best watercolor papers for artists in 2025 that I recommend is a brand from France. Arches watercolor paper is made from 100% cotton rag and natural gelatin sizing. It’s marketed as professional artist-grade watercolor paper. The paper is acid-free, pH-neutral, gelatin-sized, and air-dried.
It can be said that Arches is a brand that many famous watercolor artists trust as one of the best choices to take their artwork to a new level.
Pros:
- Can apply many advanced techniques
- Compatible in many other materials: Pen ink, gouache, pencil, poster color.
- Stand up well to multiple washes
Cons:
- price is quite high
- Prized Paper - The long fibers in Arches natural white 100% cotton watercolor paper...
- Superior Strength - A cylinder mold process distributes cotton fibers evenly to provide...
02. Saunders Waterford Watercolor Paper
St Cuthberts Mill based in Somerset, England; specializes in the paper manufacturing of high-quality artist’s papers. Saunders Waterford is one of the watercolor papers they make. It absorbs water very well. They are made using 100% cotton, acid-free, pH-neutral, gelatin-sized, and air-dried. Besides, the paper has two versions, off-white and high-white.
Pros:
- Can apply many advanced techniques
- Good price
- Stand up well to multiple washes
Cons:
- A bit slow to dry
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03. Winsor & Newton Professional Paper
Winsor & Newton is one of the most famous watercolor manufacturers in the world, and would also make an excellent watercolor paper. Their products are made from 100% cotton and are naturally acid-free, archival, and contain no optical brighteners, so will remain completely color-stable over time if kept in the right conditions. Of course, It also is available in hot-pressed, Cold-Pressed, and Rough surface textures.
Pros:
- Can apply many advanced techniques
- Good price
- Good moisturizing
Cons:
- Poor elasticity
- Exceptionally resilient and durable, our watercolor paper will not warp or cockle even...
- Made on a traditional cylinder mold. This ensures the fibers are interwoven, which gives...
04. Fabriano Artistico Watercolor Paper
Fabriano Artistico is a paper manufacturer from Italy with more than 750 years of history. The papers are made with 100% cotton produced with the mold-made process, a special industrial process that reproduces the typical characteristics of hand-made paper.
Moreover, Traditional white and Extra White is available in two color options of Fabriano Artistico. They are double-sized and acid-free; for surfaces, there are cold press, hot press, and rough.
Pros:
- Can apply many advanced techniques
- Cheap price
Cons:
- Color saturation is less bright
- Extra white watercolor block
- Mould-made of 100% cotton
05. Hahnemuhle Watercolor Paper
Hahnemühle was founded in 1584 as a producer of high-quality paper in the Solling highlands of Southern Lower Saxony. They using high-quality raw materials and pure spring water, mold-made processing, and 100% cotton rag.Â
The paper surface allows you to paint comfortably with a variety of watercolor painting techniques. Hahnemühle papers have a resistant surface and withstand repeated erasures. Besides, they are acid-free, age-resistant, and vegan.
Pros:
- Can apply many advanced techniques
- Good moisturizing
Cons:
- Price is quite high
06. Strathmore 500 Series Watercolor Paper
Strathmore professional watercolor paper, developed in 1949, is known for its hard surface sizing, ensuring excellent water holdout, color lifting, and blending.
Made from 100% cotton with two deckle edges, it offers durability and a premium feel.
The hot press surface is smoother than the traditional cold press, allowing artists greater control and precision for detailed, refined artwork.
Pros:
- Made from 100% cotton, ensuring excellent absorbency and durability.
- Hard surface sizing allows for superior water holdout, smooth blending, and easy color lifting.
- Available in hot press, cold press, and rough textures, catering to different artistic styles.
- Features two deckle edges, giving a professional and elegant finish.
- Acid-free and archival quality, ensuring long-lasting artwork.
Cons:
- Higher price points compared to student-grade papers.
- The hard surface may require more layering for deep color saturation.
Overview:
Although there are many types of watercolor paper for artists, it can be difficult to say which is the best. However, as a watercolor artist with many years of experience, I am listing this list based on my own actual experience, it can be said that it is a subjective opinion. So, don’t worry if your favorite paper is not on this list.
Other artists may not tell you what watercolor paper they are using, making it even harder to find great papers. That’s why the “Top 05 Best Watercolor Paper for Artists in 2023” has been compiled – you don’t have to doubt their quality.