The 9 Best Strathmore Hot Press Papers (2023 reviews)

If you want nothing short of the best possible paper for your daily usage, this product is certainly a worthy investment. It holds watercolor and copics pretty well. It is a very good quality paper that takes watercolor pencils as well as wax-based coored pencils well. It works well and the page doesn't bleed or warp. It is designed to be used for mixed media sketches, practice of techniques and quick studies.

The paper is perfect, it doesn't need gesso or anything. It's smooth like Bristol paper, takes pen, ink, and light washes well, and is nice and thick. The paper is the perfect thickness and quality for the tangle ink.

Why We Like This:

Good sketch book for mixed media
Sturdy enough to travel with, as well
Holds heavy body acrylic paint well
Including heavy body, graphite pencil, and ink

Best For Really responsive Paper: Strathmore Series Paper

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The strathmore series paper is satisfactory and appropriate and fits well with your daily usage. This is absolutely the greatest watercolor paper for printing digital images and coloring with zig clean color markers. It has the texture of soft leather. The paper withstands multiple layers of wax from pencil, holds up to erasures, and of course watercolor applications. It withstands heavy water, and a lot of paint lifting. It is convenient to carry with you for painting away from home.

This is fine paper for trying out projects or making hand painted cards. These precut sheets are very handy to pass out during a workshop, use for practice, or even to complete a small painting.

Why We Like This:

Great for plein air or travel kits
Cute size cotton paper, easy to handlebudget friendly for beginners
Color blends beautifully, looks sharp (not dull at all) on the paper
Nice heavy paper perfect for small art projects

Best For Artist: Strathmore Art Journal

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The strathmore art journal should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. Sketching with a dark ink wash and white acrylic highlights yields a beautiful value range. It is smooth paper. The lead lays down beautifully, and it's so easy to erase without leaving stray marks. The Durable Smyth-sewn binding allows pages to lay flatter.

This is great for all watercolor, gouache, pencil and colored pencil. The natural white color and traditional cold press surface allows for fine and even washes, as well as lifting and scraping applications. It is made of good quality material.

Why We Like This:

Wonderful for pencil, watercolor, and markers
One of the new comers and featured product

Best For adding White highlights: Strathmore Watercolor Paper

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The strathmore watercolor paper should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. For a sketchbook to test layouts and color schemes, and do quick watercolor sketches, this is perfect. The paper is less 'toothy' than cold press watercolour paper so it's easy to draw on with ink. The smooth side is somewhat less absorbent than the other side and they behave somewhat differently in general. The cover is soft to the touch which is just nice.

This is definitely a well-rounded truly mixed-media sketchbook. The paper holds pastel pencil with little rub, as well as Pen and Pencil well. The cover is flexible and coated with something to protect the paper. It is perfect for journaling or small watercolors.

Why We Like This:

Works well with ink and watercolor
Cotton fiber, acid-free, lignin-free, and archival
Lot of satisfied buyers

Best With Acrylic Paint: Strathmore Really Nice Heavy Smooth Paper

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Strathmore makes beautiful and great paper with classic and smartly choosen materials. It is one of the most important decisions an artist makes in determining the outcome of their work. Whether it's decorating in doodles, designs or colorful patterns, the customizable cover is ready for your art. It holds up well with watercolour and no bleed through. It's smooth with a little bit of texture so it isn't like vellum but not so much tooth that you feel you have no control.

The paper is nice and thick, and it's great for pen, marker and watercolour paint. It is really nice for heavy washes, but it handles mixed media well. It isn't great for heavy washes, but it handles mixed media well.

Why We Like This:

Very thick durable paper, looks very nice when you're done painting
Well priced and really high quality
Small so easy to bring along wherever you go
High quality paper, great for art projects

Best For learning Watercolor techniques: Strathmore Quality Paper

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The strathmore quality paper is capable of outshining several other products featured in this list in overall features for the price point. It is a professional watercolor artist with a master in art education. It is designed for beginning artists and for experienced artists who want to try a new style of art. It includes adorable hand lettering, hand lettering basics, drawing manga, watercolor flowers, colored pencil nature, colored pencil textures, drawing animals, drawing cartoons.

This "blended" learning approach enables you to follow, at your own pace, the step-by-step directions included in the learning series pad. It is made by respected professionals, easy-to-use lessons, and effective self-paced tools for learning and creating concepts. There are also extra pages at the back of the book to practice on and the paper is really good quality and works well with most pencils and graphic pens.

The Strathmore learning series is excellent in that there are learning videos you use in conjunction with the book. The layout and instructions are clear and easy to understand.

Why We Like This:

A great book for beginners and all pencil artists
Fun and easy art book for beginning and budding artists
Useful and also connected to online video instruction for the extra benefit

Best For ink drawings: Strathmore percent Cotton

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The strathmore percent cotton's superior materials makes sure that it ages well with use. This watercolor paper is 100% cotton and pre stretched. It lifts well and handles masking fluid and light erasing or using a kneaded eraser. It tolerates scrubbing and erasing with no pilling. It makes it hard to blend on the paper because the water soaks in quickly. It is good for ink drawings. The cold press is still pretty smooth.

This is a reasonably priced option to introduce the joys of using cotton paper. It is 100% cotton, acid free, and archival. These are great for little projects, especially if you're looking for professional product.

Why We Like This:

Good paper in a convenient pre-cut format
Nice thick card quality with textured side
Great for art journals, plain air, etc
Decent quality paper, ready cut for watercolor sketches

Best For colored pencil: Strathmore Hot Press Paper

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If you often find yourself scrambling for appropriate and satisfactory paper, this product should be your first option for buying. These are convenient, ready cut sheets of 140 lb. The Ready Cut Watercolor sheets are lignin and acid free, archival, and are made from 100% cotton fiber. It comes in European sizes rather than standard american frame sizes.

Why We Like This:

Holds a large amount of water
Standard sizes fit frames and 100 cotton
Delivers what they promise

Best For school projects: Strathmore economical lb Watercolor Paper

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The strathmore economical lb watercolor paper's high-end materials makes sure that it ages well with use. This economical 140 lb watercolor paper features a cold press surface that accepts a variety of techniques, including wet on wet, pencil or charcoal overlay, and sgrafitto. It is perfect for school projects. It is perfect for practice and perfecting techniques, yet is acid free to help preserve permanent work. It is easy to pass out to the kids.

Why We Like This: