The 7 Best Arches Cold Press 140 lb Watercolor Papers (2023 reviews)

We consider a arches cold press 140 lb watercolor paper to be a worthy investment in the long run. We are here to help you choose the right one for your purposes from all the best available products in market today.

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Our Top Picks:

Best Overall: Buy: Arches Hot Press READ REVIEW

Best For Water Color Painting: Buy: Arches Best Watercolor Paper READ REVIEW

Best For Acrylic: Buy: Arches Acid Cotton Paper READ REVIEW

Best For practice: Buy: Arches Watercolor Paper READ REVIEW

Best For colored pencils: Buy: Arches Best Paper READ REVIEW

Best With gouache: Buy: Arches Cold Press 140 lb Watercolor Paper READ REVIEW

Best Watercolor Journal: Buy: Arches Watercolor Journal READ REVIEW

Best Overall: Arches Hot Press

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This is gorgeous, thick smooth paper, perfect for drawing with pen and ink and then adding color. 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. It provides timeless beauty and an inimitable touch.

This paper is so easy to layer with and you can tape it down without the tape tearing your paper and design/paintings/drawings. The surface is smooth and velvety. This paper stands up very well for both wet-on-wet and wet on dry painting. It lends itself better for media that don't require a rougher texture.

• Perfect amount of texture for amazing detail with nice thick quality
• Each sheet is generously sized for creating medium-sized images
• Good quality and very absorbent paper for a watercolors
• Holds water well, warps less than all others, reliable always

Best For Water Color Painting: Arches Best Watercolor Paper

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The arches best watercolor paper is capable of outshining several other products featured in this list in overall features in its price range. A watercolor block is SO much easier to work with than a single sheet of paper. It is the cream of the crop of watercolor paper, so no complaints. Because it comes in a block, you can work directly on the top sheet without having to tape down edges or worry about bleed through.

This arches block is all four glued, which gives you the least amount of warps. It is good for flow of colors, can tolerate masking fluid well, and also adhesive tapes. It can be separated if you want to divide it in half or quarters but otherwise you paint on the block and when done separate that sheet from the block. It is great for impressionistic painting and other heavier textured pieces, while hot press is a good choice for more illustrative work requiring a cleaner finish or inking.

• Good quality and easy to use
• Great for multiple techniques, so very versatile
• Good brand reputation

Best For Acrylic: Arches Acid Cotton Paper

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Arches has been making great paper for years, thanks to a combination of clever design and appropriate materials. It's big enough to do some decent sized paintings even when you're not in a studio. It accepts the paint beautifully and smoothly. It has a very smooth, untextured surface, is less absorbent than the cold press and will take marvellously detailed images. It is great for traveling and ready to use as is.

It is good for serious artists. It is great for watercolor painting, very forgiving on little mistakes, and absorbent. It is very durable and allows for "scrubbing" without lifting the paper. The finished painting is ready to be framed after it is completed. This is a useful, innovative product.

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

Best For practice: Arches Watercolor Paper

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This is the best watercolor paper around and all techniques turn out well. It is superior in every way to stonehenge. 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. It provides extra protection from light and elements, meaning this paper is made to last for years to come.

This rich paper is available in 13 sizes and 3 luxurious textures. A cylinder mould process distributes cotton fibers evenly to provide exceptional resistance to scratching and erasing without tearing or linting. There is a space at the top of the block that you need to run something through to release the paper from the block. This paper is great to work with, allows for multiple washes without tearing.

• Great absorbtion properties and holds up well to scrubbing
• Neutral paper with a harmonious natural grain and no optical brightening agents
• Absolutely no corners being cut or compromises being made
• Boasts a protective cover sheet and ph

Best For colored pencils: Arches Best Paper

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The arches best paper's superior materials makes sure that it ages well with use. It is best paper for colored pencils. The paper doesn't buckle all that much, and it absorbs water very well. You will definitely want to use this paper for your paid or nicer personal art projects.

• Mixed medium tolerance great for beginners and experienced artists
• Good investment for long term

Best With gouache: Arches Cold Press 140 lb Watercolor Paper

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The arches cold press 140 lb watercolor paper should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. This paper takes wet on wet and dry painting. It really encourages growth in your skill as it makes painting far more enjoyable. It is best for beginner or prop. These blocks contain 20 sheets of natural white, acid free, 100% cotton paper, and are glued on all 4 sides. It is made with natural cotton fibers on a cylinder-mold machine. The block keeps your painting flat and avoids ripples.

Love the block as it keeps paper smooth when learning techniques with water and paint. It takes a lot of abuse without getting distorted or tearing.

• Good quality watercolor paper is best even for beginners
• Much easier for an armature to get professional-looking results
• Lot of satisfied buyers

Best Watercolor Journal: Arches Watercolor Journal

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The arches watercolor journal's material feels more premium than its price would suggest. This 6x10 watercolor journal boasts 15 sheets of rich, cold press, 140 lb watercolor paper. 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 rigidity for stable painting on location.

It is available in several formats and sizes including blocks, pads, sheets and rolls, and 3 luxurious textures. It is easy to fold the pages back and keep the book flat for painting. The size is great for holding in one hand of your need while painting on the go. Love the paper and the way it will hold the paint and give the best presentation.

• Great paper and makes a nice watercolor journal
• Good investment for long term