If you are an artist who loves creating art prints at home, you need a quality paper that will do justice to your work. Plus a quality art printer and quality ink as well, of course.
We have picked the best carefully formulated papers for art prints available in the market today. We hope you enjoy making your art on any one of these we have especially listed for you.
Arches Platine Paper
This acid-free paper is designed in conjunction with fine art photographers. This mold-made is also alkaline free and PH neutral thus it is recommended for platinum photo processes. This specially sized paper is also perfect for alternative photo processes.
It works excellently with projects that are sensitive to alkalinity. Blueprint, drawings, platinum, and palladium works perfectly well on Arches Platine paper. This superior 310gsm paper is made with no optical brighteners. It is brightly colored and its surface is smooth enough. Its edges are deckled, and it satisfies ISO photographic tests.
Pros
- It is acid-free.
- It is alkaline free.
- It is PH neutral.
- It works excellently with alkaline sensitive prints.
- It has no optical brighteners.
- It has a smooth surface.
- It has deckles at its edges.
- It is perfect for both platinum and alternative photo processes.
Cons
- It is pricey.
- It cannot be shipped to addresses outside of North America.
BFK Rives Printmaking Papers
This paper for art prints mold-made in France is 100% cotton. It has a smooth absorbent surface with each sheet watermarked. This very popular fine paper is acid-free, soft sized, and buffered.
BFK Rives Printmaking Paper is available in three weights and a varied range of colors. It also has two natural deckles and possesses finer grains in the sheet, roll, and reel. It is alkaline-reserved and highly recommended for art publishing, prints, and drawings. Its acid-free nature makes it even better. What puts it at a great advantage is that it is ISO-compliant and has no added optical brightening agents.
Pros
- It is 100% cotton.
- Its smooth surface is absorbent.
- Each sheet is watermarked.
- It is acid-free and buffered.
- It is soft sized.
- It is available in three weights.
- It is available in a varied range of colors.
- It has natural and deckled edges.
- It comes in sheets, rolls, and reels.
- It is alkaline-reserved.
- It is under ISO 9706.
Cons
- It does not work well with alkaline-resistant techniques.
Legion Stonehenge Paper
Similar to all the papers for art prints, Legion Stonehenge Paper is acid-free and has two deckled edges. Its smooth, flawless surface is great with watercolors and printmaking. It can also be used for pen-and-ink, pencil, and print arts.
This traditional fine art paper is made of 100% cotton. It is manufactured in the United States and its surface is mottled to resemble vellum. The sheets are available in two weights and have a variation of colors. It also has a variety of sheet sizes and it is mostly found in roll format.
Pros
- It is acid-free.
- It is available in two weights.
- It comes in various colors and sizes.
- It has deckled edges.
- Its surface is smooth and flawless.
- It allows various markers to be used.
- It is 100% cotton.
- It is strong enough when the glue is removed.
Cons
- Its format is mostly in rolls, with few options to choose from.
- It is a little thin.
- It tends to flop and wrinkle.
- Pigment rubs off on the black paper.
Canson Infinity Rag Photographique
This museum-grade paper for art prints is ideal for fine art photography. It is also ideal for fine art printmaking. This world-class paper is 100% cotton and meets the longevity requirements of museums.
This internally buffered, acid-free paper is made of natural minerals. This is used to render an extra smooth white surface. The minerals also give the paper a sensual feel and make it compatible with pigmented and dye inks. It is water-resistant and it dries instantly. It does not contain any optical brightening agents.
Pros
- It has an extra smooth white surface.
- It is compatible with pigmented and dye inks.
- It is water-resistant.
- It dries instantly.
- It does not contain any optical brighteners.
- It is 100% cotton.
- It meets longevity requirements.
- Ideal for both museum and gallery arts.
Cons
- It damages quickly and cannot be reused.
- It may not work well with alkaline.
Fabriano Tiepolo Printmaking Paper
Here comes the one that is exceptionally strong and versatile. Fabriano Tiepolo Printmaking Paper is 100% cotton. It has all its edges deckled with a watermark fixed at the bottom of the paper.
Its splendid construction enables it to endure wear and tear from harsh techniques. The soft white color is Italian, and the surface is ultra-smooth. It excels in printmaking techniques and digital printing. It also does fairly well with silk screening and embossing.
Fabriano Tiepolo Printmaking Paper is acid-free and PH neutral. This is meant to ensure inalterability over time. The composition in this paper offers both permanence and light resistance.
Pros
- It is strong and versatile.
- It is mold made.
- It has deckles on its edges.
- It is watermarked.
- It endures tear and wear.
- It can withstand harsh techniques.
- It has an ultra-smooth surface.
- It is acid-free.
- It is PH neutral.
- Guarantees inalterability over time.
- It is light-resistant.
- It is durable and long-lasting.
Cons
- It can easily shrink when soaked in water.
- It is on the pricey side.
What to Consider When Buying Papers for Art Prints
The paper you select for your art prints will largely depend on what you are working on. However, there are universal things to put into consideration when making your purchases. Features such as ‘’glossy’’ and ‘’matte’’ will mostly depend on your personality as an artist.
There are three types of art print papers – matte, cotton, and canvas. All of these three offer superior quality. To avoid unnecessary purchases, you should first consider the following factors:
- Contents of the Paper. The content of s paper determines its durability. If your paper contains acid, lignin, or OBA your art will not last long. The color will quickly turn and it will look like it was rescued from the times of Shakespeare. Normal papers contain these components thus the reason why they turn dull as time passes
- Weight of the paper. Papers for art prints come in three weights. There is lightweight, heavyweight, and thickest. To pick the right kind of paper from these three weights, know the kind of art you want to produce.
- The texture of the surface. The surface texture of the paper for your art print will also determine the kind of art you will produce. Smooth textures are perfect for this technique. Look for something absorbent and quick to dry.
- The Technique to be employed. Which technique are you planning to use to produce your art? Is your paper constructed to withstand most techniques that you can employ?
You want something versatile, functional, and strong. Being able to pick such a paper will depend on the amount of research you have invested in understanding all the papers for art prints available in the market.