Watercolor paper
Watercolor Paper: read the 185 to 640 gsm examples and handling notes. Folding, cutting and glue tips. Find craft uses, sheet sizes and weight equivalents.
Watercolour paper is made from cotton, wood cellulose or blends and treated with sizing to control absorbency. Arches Aquarelle uses cotton formed on a cylinder mould and gelatin sizing.
- Typical weight
- 185–640 gsm
- US lb · calculated at the named basis
- 68.4–236.7 lb cover equivalent (20 × 26 in, 500 sheets)
Weights to look for
Common artist grades include 185, 300 and 640 gsm. Arches labels these 90, 140 and 300 lb watercolour, using the 22 × 30 inch art-paper basis; these are nominal product pairings, not cover weights.
Folding, creasing, cutting and gluing
- Fold
- Better for painted cut-outs than layered origami. Even a light watercolour sheet is bulky at repeated folds.
- Crease
- Score a card fold gently after the paint has dried. A heavy textured sheet can crack at a sharp bend.
- Cut
- Cut dry painted pieces with a sharp blade or strong scissors. Fine detail is easier on a smoother hot-pressed face.
- Glue
- Use small amounts of PVA on tabs; hold heavier pieces while they set. Keep glue away from painted surfaces that must stay visible.
What to make
Use for painted tags, card panels and separate cut-paper decorations. For our box, practise the net with lighter cardstock first.
Common sheet and pack sizes
Full sheets include 22 × 30 inches (about 56 × 76 cm). Pads and blocks include A4 and 9 × 12 inch formats.