The 7 Best Arches Cold Pressed Watercolour Papers (2023 reviews)

We consider a arches cold pressed watercolour 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 Good Paper READ REVIEW

Best With Prismacolor Nupastels: Buy: Arches every sheet READ REVIEW

Best For Watercolour Painting: Buy: Arches Hot Press READ REVIEW

Best For Heavy washes: Buy: Arches Cotton Paper READ REVIEW

Best For Professional: Buy: Arches Watercolor Paper READ REVIEW

Best For Acrylic: Buy: Arches Water Color Paper READ REVIEW

Best Size Water Color Paper: Buy: Arches Cold Pressed Watercolour Paper READ REVIEW

Best Overall: Arches Good Paper

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This is the best watercolor paper ever. It comes with 3 spectacular sizes available in pads of 12 140lb (300gsm) sheets, this is the ideal painting paper for artists. It is 100% cotton based as opposed to the cheaper wood pulp based papers. It does weigh 140 pounds and also it is great for pet portraits.

It is easily removed from the edge-glued pad. It works well with all techniques, such as wet on wet, wet on dry, and so forth. Love the watercolor paper it is easy to cut, durable and the colors are very vibrant on the paper. This paper is very good quality and size.

• Love texture, very little warp, darkens colors compared to cheaper brand
• Great quality for a perfect piece of art
• Gives a whole other dimension to watercolor painting

Best With Prismacolor Nupastels: Arches every sheet

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The arches every sheet's material feels more premium than its price would suggest. Rough is a very, well,rough textured surface and is more for loose painting styles, expressive paintings like landscape, it is very hard to create crisp lines and details on rough. It provides timeless beauty and an inimitable touch. It is cotton fiber so it makes painting on it much more successful.

This paper stands up very well for both wet-on-wet and wet on dry painting. The texture is rough, and it is excellent for amature to professional artists alike. It is perfect for rugged landscapes and any project where added texture is desired. The surface is smooth and velvety. This paper is so easy to layer with and you can tape it down without the tape tearing your paper and design/paintings/drawings.

• Great paper, can break up into smaller pieces for smaller paintings
• Takes water well with minimal pilling and holds its shape fairly well
• Very thick and absorbent paper for a beginner artist, good quality

Best For Watercolour Painting: Arches Hot Press

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This 140 lb, hot-pressed, Arches paper is exactly what it is supposed to be. It's good sturdy paper, has a nice smooth surface, and should work well for thin lines and tiny details. The colors blend beautifully on it and the smooth paper is a nice change of pace.

These pads contain 12 sheets of natural white, acid free, and 100% cotton paper in a fold over pad. The paper stands up to a lot of water. The watercolor pads are sealed around the edge of the paper so that you don’t have to stretch the paper. This paper is glued on its four sides and accepts a good amount of water and layers. This paper is excellent for watercolour and coloured pencil.

• Water flows nicely for watercolor paint
• Absorbs watercolor faster than cold press paper
• Very good for certain watercolor paintings such as flowers or other botanicals
• All arches hot and cold pressed are acid free and fully archivable

Best For Heavy washes: Arches Cotton Paper

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This paper is wonderful for watercolors. The other watercolor papers all do well enough with allowing for multiple layers, handling lots of water, and holding up to scraping or lifting. This paper can take the punishment of scrubbing, release of masking fluid left on for weeks without tearing, and multiple washes. It is good for heavy washes in that it won't warp. The paper stays wet much longer and the colors just flow.

The thickness of the paper means that it shouldn't need to be stretched, release of masking fluid left on for weeks without tearing, and multiple washes. This paper in either weight is strong enough and thick enough to paint on both sides.

• Consistent quality and handles pigment and water very well
• Heavy weight and takes heavy washes without puckers or warping
• Easy to use heavy water and do reworks ect
• Boasts a protective cover sheet and ph

Best For Professional: Arches Watercolor Paper

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This rich water color paper for artists is available in 2 sizes and 3 revered textures. It can be difficult to unroll, use water and weights and time. It provides extra protection from light and elements, meaning this paper is made to last for years to come. The neutral paper has a harmonious natural grain with no optical brightening agents. It is available in several formats and sizes including blocks, pads, sheets and rolls, and 3 luxurious textures.

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 can stand up to almost anything, whereas other papers will start to pill or look bad if they're overworked.

• One of the new comers and featured product
• Delivers what they promise

Best For Acrylic: Arches Water Color Paper

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Best part: arches water color paper costs comparatively low and it is available to ship in 24 hours. When it comes to high-end consistency and variety, you'll find the exceptional quality you seek within the premium papers at Arches. Hailed as brilliant, this archival paper is mold-made with 100% cotton fibers, has a natural white luster and stands the test of time so your work shines long after you've laid down your masterpiece. It is proud to introduce its synthetic white taklon real value brush.

This exquisite, thick paper functions well with all wet techniques such as ink, gouache, and acrylic painting as the cotton fibers adapt to whatever medium you choose to craft your work. It increases the luster and transparency of colors while preventing paints from penetrating into the paper and makes blending, overlay or paint removal easy, wet or dry. It contains no optical brightening agents and undergoes fungicidal treatment to prevent the appearance of mold.

These brushes are great for acrylic, watercolor, tempera and oil painting. It is available in multiple sizes and 3 revered textures.

• Synthetic white taklon real value brush
• Come in a variety of shapes and sizes in both short
• Choose between natural, synthetic or combination bristles

Best Size Water Color Paper: Arches Cold Pressed Watercolour Paper

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The arches cold pressed watercolour paper's superior materials makes sure that it ages well with use. This tin of 12 tubes is full of all the great things you need to enjoy your art. It is made the traditional way, using a cylinder mould. It includes one pad with 12 10"x14" sheets, 300 gsm. It is sized to the core with natural gelatin, so it can be scratched without tearing or linting. It is made from long, 100% cotton fibres, allowing it to absorb a lot of water without warping or causing the colours to bleed.

Although the split primary set might be a little intimidating for beginners, you can create truly any color from it. This internal sizing also prevents paint penetrating into the paper, allowing light to shine through the pigment and reflect off the paper while ensuring durability of the colours. It will not warp or stretch when water is applied to it.

• Great paper and an added bonus for a real bargin
• A perfect size water color paper for amatures and pros alike
• Rich colors spread and blend easily to create dramatic to subtle hues
• Perfect gift with almost everything you need to start painting