Printmaking Paper Types

Why This Matters

Choosing the right paper isn't just a finishing touch—it's a fundamental decision that affects how ink transfers, how details render, and whether your print survives for decades or deteriorates within years. You're being tested on understanding the relationship between fiber content, surface texture, absorbency, and technique compatibility. A paper that works beautifully for relief printing might fail completely for intaglio, and knowing why comes down to understanding material science.

Don't just memorize paper names. Know what makes each paper suited to specific techniques: Is it the cotton content that provides strength? The surface texture that holds ink? The weight that withstands pressure? When you understand these underlying principles, you can predict how an unfamiliar paper might perform—and that's the kind of thinking that separates technical competence from artistic mastery.

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Western Cotton Papers: The Workhorses

Cotton fiber papers dominate Western printmaking because cotton's long, interlocking fibers create exceptional strength, absorbency, and archival stability. These papers handle heavy press pressure and wet processes without breaking down.

Rag Paper

• Made from cotton or linen fibers—the term "rag" refers to historical production from textile scraps, though modern versions use raw cotton linters
• High absorbency allows ink to penetrate evenly, making it adaptable across relief, intaglio, and lithographic techniques
• Archival quality means acid-free composition that resists yellowing and degradation for centuries

Somerset Paper

• 100% cotton with a smooth, velvety surface—manufactured in England specifically for fine art printing
• Excellent for both relief and intaglio—the consistent surface accepts ink uniformly while the soft sizing allows proper ink release
• Rich texture enhances tonal range—particularly effective for prints requiring subtle gradations and deep blacks

BFK Rives Paper

• French-made 100% cotton with a distinctive soft, luxurious hand feel that artists prize
• Slightly textured surface holds ink exceptionally well—the tooth grips pigment without obscuring fine detail
• Versatile across techniques—works for lithography, intaglio, relief, and screen printing, making it a studio staple

Arches Paper

• 100% cotton with legendary durability—produced in France since 1492, with unmatched resistance to aging
• Available in multiple weights and textures—from 185 gsm to 640 gsm, in smooth, cold-pressed, and rough finishes
• Industry standard for editioning—galleries and collectors recognize Arches as a mark of professional quality

Stonehenge Paper

• American-made 100% cotton with an exceptionally smooth surface—developed specifically for printmaking in the 1980s
• Produces crisp, clean lines—the even surface and soft sizing allow precise ink transfer without bleeding
• Acid-free and affordably priced—makes it ideal for proofing, student work, and large editions

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Asian Fiber Papers: Strength in Delicacy

Asian papers derive their unique properties from long plant fibers (kozo, gampi, mitsumata) that create thin yet remarkably strong sheets. Their translucency and flexibility make them essential for techniques requiring delicate layering or hand-rubbing.

Japanese Washi Paper

• Handcrafted using traditional methods—fibers are beaten by hand and formed on bamboo screens, creating organic texture variations
• Lightweight yet extraordinarily strong—long kozo fibers interlock to resist tearing despite minimal thickness
• Acid-free and archival—traditional production without chemical processing ensures stability over centuries

Mulberry Paper

• Made from inner bark of the paper mulberry tree (kozo)—the fibrous, visible inclusions create a distinctive natural aesthetic
• Soft and flexible for intricate detail work—conforms to plate surfaces during hand-rubbing without cracking
• Traditional choice for woodblock printing—the thin, absorbent sheets reveal subtle gradations in ukiyo-e and mokuhanga techniques

Rice Paper

• Misnomer—actually made from rice straw, bamboo, or other plant fibers—true rice paper (pith paper) comes from the rice paper plant, not rice
• Extremely lightweight and delicate—requires careful handling and is prone to tearing under press pressure
• Ideal for chine-collé and layering—translucency allows underlying images or colors to show through

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Technique-Specific Papers

Some papers are engineered for particular processes, with surface texture, weight, and absorbency calibrated to match specific ink transfer methods.

Copperplate Paper

• Designed specifically for intaglio printing—the smooth, unsized surface pulls ink from etched and engraved plate grooves
• Absorbent enough to capture fine details—soft fibers conform to plate surfaces under press pressure
• Heavier weight (typically 250+ gsm)—provides stability during soaking, printing, and drying without warping

Watercolor Paper

• Engineered for wet media applications—heavy sizing and dense fiber structure prevent buckling and bleeding
• Available in three textures: hot-pressed (smooth), cold-pressed (medium texture), and rough (heavy tooth)
• Useful for monotype and mixed media—when printmaking incorporates water-based inks or subsequent painting

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Quick Reference Table

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Self-Check Questions

1. Which two papers are both 100% cotton but differ significantly in surface texture, and how would this difference affect your choice for a detailed etching versus a bold woodcut?

2. If you're creating a mokuhanga (Japanese woodblock) print and need a paper that's thin, strong, and shows subtle ink gradations, which papers would be most appropriate and why?

3. Compare and contrast copperplate paper and Somerset paper for intaglio printing—what does each offer, and when might you choose one over the other?

4. A print needs to be layered using chine-collé technique. Which papers' translucency and flexibility make them suitable, and what handling challenges might you encounter?

5. You're editioning a print for gallery sale and need to demonstrate professional, archival standards. Which papers would establish credibility with collectors, and what specific qualities make them archival?