The 6 Best 140 lb Cold Press Papers (2023 reviews)

The arches superior paper is long-lasting, rigid and fits well with your regular usage like a dream. This is the best watercolor paper in all. It is made from 100% natural cotton fiber with no optical brightening agents, the arches paper has an archival, natural white color and an exquisite texture unlike other papers on the market. The rough surface breaks up the brush strokes and is more forgiving. There are blotches throughout and the paper lifts itself once wet. The pigments spread totally evenly in every direction.

The sheets you paint on are all white. They are blocked and actually have black adhesive around the edges. You Will Love how it is held tight with wet on wet painting and separates from the pad easily.

Why We Like This:

Top line paper for any serious minded watercolor artist
Neutral paper with a harmonious natural grain and no optical brightening agents
Terrific quality, size selection and more
Great absorbency but stays wet longer

Best With Prismacolor Nupastels: Arches Hot Press

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The arches hot press should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. All arches paper is acid-free and made from 100% cotton, ensuring it valiantly stands the test of time and allows you to make the most out of every sheet. This paper is beautiful, its incredibly smooth making it great for mixed media like pen and ink and is wonderful to work with when using waterrcolors. It is available in several formats and sizes including blocks, pads, sheets and rolls, and 3 luxurious textures.

The Tape comes off easily without ripping and masking fluid also comes off easily without pulling at the paper. It is excellent for amature for professional artists alike.

Why We Like This:

Takes in colour quite well, too
Beautiful, high quality hot press watercolor paper
Good quality and very absorbent paper for a watercolors

Best For Watercolour Painting: Arches Acid Cotton Paper

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It's one of the best quality art papers. It is made with natural cotton fibers on a cylinder-mold machine. This is a nice block of decent sized watercolor paper that holds the color and stays stretched until the paper is dry and you're ready to cut it from the block. The Cold pressed papers absorb water faster and are slightly textured.

It’s excellent quality, holds up well to watercolor or acrylic. It allows for "scrubbing" without lifting the paper. This weight even holds up to very wet washes. It's big enough to do some decent sized paintings even when you're not in a studio.

Why We Like This:

Best paper to use for watercolor
Nice quality paper, heavy keeps shape
Nice watercolor paper for beginners or intermediate watercolor painters

Best For Acrylic: Arches Watercolor Paper

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If you are looking to buy a suitable paper for your daily purpose, you cannot go wrong with this pick. It takes a lot of brush work without breaking down, or warping. It absorbs the paint nicely and colors bloom perfectly. The sheets hold up well to the watercolors and have no discoloration. It doesn't require taping, doesn't buckle and takes paint better than cheaper paper.

The paper has a nice tooth and is fairly absorbent, and keeping it on the block until the paint has dried ensures that your painting doesn't warp. It is much higher in quality when compared with wood fiber paper. They stay exactly where you put them when you activate them with water. It's absolutely the best you can buy for watercolor.

Why We Like This:

A little more cumbersome than single sheets
Nicely textured paper and a pleasure to use
Blend, bleed, lift pigment easily without piling

Best For Professional: 140 lb Cold Press Paper

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Compared with other products by Arches, the 140 lb cold press paper has a convenient design. Arches provides excellent watercolor paper. It takes wet on wet and dry painting. It is an old manufacturing process of using a mill and a rotary retaining system to generate flat paper. It doesn’t easily get over-saturated or dry too quickly to prevent working a bit more slowly and carefully. It really encourages growth in your skill as it makes painting far more enjoyable.

The paper is made out of cotton. It is best for beginner or prop. Love the block as it keeps paper smooth when learning techniques with water and paint.

Why We Like This:

Much easier for an armature to get professional-looking results
Good quality watercolor paper is best even for beginners
One of the new comers and featured product

Best Watercolor Journal: Arches Watercolor Journal

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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate paper. The product is exactly that - it's a simple product that hits all the right notes. This little book is perfect for plein aire painting and taking with you. It is made from 100% natural cotton fiber with no optical brightening agents, the arches paper has an archival, natural white color and an exquisite texture unlike other papers on the market. The long fibers in each sheet of the arches travel watercolor spiral pad provide timeless beauty and an inimitable touch. It provides extra protection from light and elements, meaning this paper is made to last for years to come.

The pages are thick and handle water perfectly. Love the paper and the way it will hold the paint and give the best presentation. The size is great for holding in one hand of your need while painting on the go. It is easy to fold the pages back and keep the book flat for painting.

Why We Like This:

Great paper and makes a nice watercolor journal
One of the new comers and featured product

The 6 Best 140 lb Cold Press Papers (2023 reviews)

Our Top Picks:

Best Overall: Arches superior Paper

Best With Prismacolor Nupastels: Arches Hot Press

Best For Watercolour Painting: Arches Acid Cotton Paper

Best For Acrylic: Arches Watercolor Paper

Best For Professional: 140 lb Cold Press Paper

Best Watercolor Journal: Arches Watercolor Journal

8 Best Cold Press Watercolor Blocks