
More uses and areas where you can find Bristol board paper include the following:
- Illustration projects
- Technical drawings
- Comic book drawings
- Postcards
- Wedding invitations
- Mixed media
- Smooth finish is great for pen and ink applications, those that require finer details
- The rougher finish is good for graphite, chalk, crayons, colored pencil, and charcoal
What are the different uses of Bristol board?
A few other ways this versatile paper is used include:
- Mixed media and design
- Postcards and Invitations
- Illustrations and comic book drawings
- Technical drawings
What is the standard Bristol board size?
Standard Bristol Board. Sizes: 22”x 28”…90LB 22”x 28”…120LB . Fluorescent Bristol Board. Size: 20”x26” ...
What is wrong with Bristol?
Bristol is a nice town with terrible leadership. The City Council has taken upon itself to lead the development in the area instead of facilitating development for entrepreneurs who know what they are doing.
What is Bristol paper used for?
Click to see full answer. Subsequently, one may also ask, what is Bristol paper used for? Bristol paper is used for printing documents, brochures, promotional materials and envelopes. It is often used for water color painting. It is also used for paperback book or catalog covers, file folders, tags, and tickets.

What is Bristol paper best for?
Bristol paper is an awesome choice for many art and craft projects. A Bristol paper pad or Bristol sketchbook is ideal for detailed drawings and sketches, and a fantastic choice for pen drawings, markers, and even ink. This versatile paper is likely the perfect option for you!
Is Bristol board good for watercolor?
And because Bristol board is typically a slightly thicker paper stock, light watercolor washes typically won't warp it. If you work fairly small in scale or have a light hand with your watercolor, vellum Bristol board may be a good pick.
What is the difference between Bristol board and I?
Bristol provides two working surfaces, front and back. Illustration board is only finished on one surface. Although the two can be used interchangeably in some applications. a bristol board is usually lighter in weight and is intended for longer term use and preservation.
Is Bristol board the same as poster board?
“Bristol board” is what Canadians call poster board, another case of a brand name eventually becoming the generic name.
What medium is best for Bristol board?
Media that requires a little “tooth” of a texture in the paper, such as pastels, charcoal or crayon, work best on vellum-surface bristol board. However, it's also a pleasant surface for wet media such as watercolor, as it has a little more texture and seems to “absorb” a little bit more.
What is the difference between Bristol board and cardstock?
Sometimes you'll see an index or bristol cardstock, rather than the typical cover stock. Bristol is the lightest form of cardstock at 67lb. Index cardstock is a smooth cardstock that often comes in both 90lb and 110lb (sometimes 140lb). Cover stock comes in 65lb, 80lb, and 100lb.
Is Bristol board hard?
Smooth Bristol paper is also known as hot press Bristol paper and has a hard, satin-like finish. The textured variant of Bristol paper is known as vellum Bristol paper. Vellum Bristol is perfect for pencil, pastel, light washes, airbrushes, and charcoal because of its rough, textured, toothy surface.
Is Bristol board good for colored pencil?
Strathmore makes a variety of Bristol papers, all of which work well for colored pencil. Keep in mind, Bristol paper typically comes in two surface types: smooth and vellum. Traditionally a vellum surface would be recommended for colored pencil work because it has a bit more texture and tooth than the smooth surface.
Can I use Bristol paper for markers?
Bristol papers generally have two types of surfaces: smooth and vellum. Smooth surfaces are great for pen & ink, mechanical pencil, airbrush, and markers. There is little to no tooth, making these surfaces great for creating fine lines, detail drawings, or marker drawings.
What can I use instead of Bristol board?
If you can't get hold of the above, one choice might be Vellum paper (which is totally different from vellum-finished Bristol). Vellum paper somewhat resembles tracing paper. It is usually favoured by cartoonists for its high ability to survive erasings and redrawings.
Is Bristol board good for acrylic paint?
Bristol paper is another good surface for acrylic based drawing work.
Is Bristol board the same as cardboard?
A high quality, stiff, glazed, white Cardboard. Originally made in Bristol, England around 1800, Bristol boards, or Bristol papers, were name for the Earl of Bristol who was associated with visiting cards and the fine arts. Early papers were often made by local stationers.
What type of board is used for watercolor?
Use multifunctional Richeson Hardboard Flat Panels as a painting surface, mixing palette, drawing board, or for taping down watercolor paper.
Is smooth Bristol paper good for watercolor?
400 Series Bristol Smooth finish is excellent for fine line drawings using pen & ink or marker. Vellum finish is excellent for pencil, charcoal, and pastel, as well as airbrush and light washes. Not recommended for traditional watercolor techniques.
Is Bristol Good for painting?
Whether you are using a Bristol sketchbook or Bristol paper pad, it is a great drawing paper to use for a variety of art projects. Perfect for detailed drawings and using pens, inks, and markers. However, many artists also love using Bristol board paper for watercolor and acrylic painting.
Can you mount a watercolor on to foam board?
No mats are required in this striking presentation. Lay the watercolor face down on a clean surface and center the piece of foamboard or matboard on the back of the watercolor. The pedestal should be about 1" smaller all around than the watercolor so that it doesn't show.
What is a gridded cutting mat?
A gridded cutting mat makes it easy to cut uniform strips of bristol board for paper weaving.
What is Bristol board?
Bristol board is a type of paperboard which is heavier and more durable than normal paper, but thinner than cardboard. It is usually made by pressing two or more layers of paper together, and is available in different finishes. There are many possible uses for bristol board. It can be used to make items such as invitations, tickets, and book covers. Many artists use it for drawing and sketching, and it can also be incorporated into a number of children’s crafts.
Where does Bristol board come from?
It is believed that bristol board takes its name from the British city of Bristol, which may have been the original site of its commercial production. Generally, bristol board is made from two or more layers of paper which have been pressed together, thus creating a material which is sturdier than normal paper. It is normally available in both a smooth finish and a slightly more textured finish known as vellum. While it is traditionally white, some manufacturers produce the board in a range of different colors.
How thick is Bristol board?
Common sizes include 22. 1⁄2 in (572 mm × 724 mm) and its bulk thickness is 0.006 inches (0.15 mm) or higher and A4, A3, A2 and A1. Bristol board may be rated by the number of plies it contains or, in Europe, by its grammage of 220 to 250 g/m 2. It is normally white, but is also made in different colours.
What is the difference between vellum and plate finish?
The surface texture is either plate or vellum. Plate finish is as smooth as glass, and is very good for pen and ink. Vellum (or kid) finish is a medium texture more appropriate to friction-based media, such as crayon, chalks, or charcoal.
What is Bristol board used for?
Bristol board is commonly used for technical drawing, illustration projects, comic book art, and other two-dimensional art forms. It provides two working surfaces, front and back.
What is Bristol paper?
Bristol board (also referred to as Bristol paper or Super white paper) is an uncoated, machine-finished paperboard. It is not named after the city of Bristol in the southwest of England but rather after Frederick Hervey, the Earl of Bristol. Common sizes include 22.
What is water color paper used for?
It is often used for water color painting. It is also used for paperback book or catalog covers, file folders, tags, and tickets. Another use is for scale models; some students use this kind of paper for the walls in their scale models.
What Is Bristol Paper?
Bristol paper is created by pasting many layers of paper. The paper is then put under pressure, meaning it is machine-finished. Bristol paper is also uncoated. When out shopping at your favorite art supply store, you may notice a paper called Bristol board.
What Is Bristol Paper Used For?
Often, Bristol board paper is used in marketing and promotional printing that is found in paperback books. It is also used to print tags and tickets. Thanks to its sturdiness, Bristol board paper is regularly used to make 3D models of buildings and the like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Regular Bristol paper texture is smooth and most often used for detailed drawings. Bristol vellum is not to be confused with the more translucent drafting paper vellum. Bristol vellum is rougher in texture, somewhat similar to cold-pressed watercolor paper.
What surface is Blick Studio Bristol?
Available in two surfaces, Blick Studio Bristol is great for use with a wide variety of media. Choose the vellum surface for use with colored pencils,...
What is a Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Board?
Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Board is an economical 2-ply bristol, available in two surfaces. Smooth is suited for pen or pencil. Vellum is ideal for...
How many sheets does a Koh I Noor Bristol pad hold?
Koh-I-Noor Bristol Pads hold 20 sheets of bright white, 100 lb (270 gsm), high-contrast bristol that accepts a variety of media. Dual loop, wirebound construction with Koh-I-Noor's unique In & Out pages and Domelock technology for easy removal. Smooth or vellum finish in a range of sizes.
How many gsm is a Bristol pad?
Fabriano 1264 Bristol Pads contain extra white, 100 lb (200 gsm) acid-free sheets in two finishes that are ideal for a variety of dry media, including...
How many sheets are in a Strathmore 400 Bristol board pad?
The same great product as the Strathmore 400 sheets, but in a convenient pad form. Each pad contains 15 sheets of 2-ply Strathmore 400 Bristol Board.
What is a Bristol 1264 pad?
Fabriano 1264 Bristol Pads contain extra white, 100 lb (200 gsm) acid-free sheets in two finishes that are ideal for a variety of dry media, including pencil, colored pencil, pen-and-ink, markers, charcoal, pastel, and light watercolor washes.
What is Rising Artist Bristol Board?
Rising Artist Bristol Board is a fine quality, acid-free sulphite bristol for a variety of uses. It's available in two finishes - Vellum and Plate.
What is vellum used for?
Vellum surfaces are great for graphite, colored pencil, charcoal, pastel, and crayon. The surface has peaks and valleys which grab dry media such as graphite. More even shading and deeper tones can be achieved on a vellum surface. We have a few different lines of Bristol papers:
What is Bristol paper?
Bristol generally describes a drawing paper that is glued together under pressure to form multi-ply sheets. Bristol sheets provide a stiff, strong surface to work on without the need for mounting. The felt sides of the paper (typically the more desirable working side for the artist) are exposed so there are two workable surfaces in one sheet.
What is a plate for pen?
Plate: An ultra-smooth surface that is great for technical pen, pen & ink, marker, and airbrush
What is Bristol 400 series?
Our 400 Series Bristol paper is a high quality sheet that comes in 2-ply, 3-ply and 4-ply weights. It is available in pads and loose sheets, and comes in 2 surfaces:
What is semi smooth?
Semi-Smooth: Slightly textured surface for use with pen and ink, pencil, specialty pens and markers
What is a 500 series Bristol?
500 Series Bristol. Our 500 Series Bristol is a 100% cotton paper that was created in 1893 and has become an industry standard. It is the ultimate high quality surface for professional artists and illustrators. It is available in three surfaces:
Where did the name Bristol come from?
The term Bristol derives from the early days of European papermaking when mills would send their finest papers to Bristol, England to be pasted together. Bristol papers generally have two types of surfaces: smooth and vellum.
What Is Bristol Paper Used For?
Bristol board paper is used a lot in the printing of promotional materials and can be found in paperback books as well as tickets or tags. Because of its sturdiness, the paper board can also be used in scale models as a wall. The thicker boards can also be used to create 3-D models. The most popular of the Bristol boards are the two and three-ply varieties. The thinner paper is mostly used for publications or printing, while the thicker paper is used more for finished works. More uses and areas where you can find Bristol board paper include the following:
What kind of paper do you use for drawing?
Whether you are using a Bristol sketchbook or Bristol paper pad, it is a great drawing paper to use for a variety of art projects. Perfect for detailed drawings and using pens, inks, and markers. However, many artists also love using Bristol board paper for watercolor and acrylic painting. So, if you are on the lookout for a good versatile paper board for your next project, consider trying Bristol paper.
What is semi smooth Bristol paper?
Semi-Smooth Bristol Paper: This paper is somewhere between the smooth and rougher texture. There is only a very slight texture, which makes it great for pencils, markers, pens, and ink
What is Bristol board paper?
Bristol board paper is made in two finishes, these are smooth and vellum. These two finishes are perfect for all kinds of dry as well as wet media. This makes Bristol paper a great surface for things like mixed media art as well as collages. However, it is also good for those who only wish to use a single medium. The smooth surface finish is excellent for ink and pen drawings, and airbrushing markers, and pencils. There is little to no tooth or texture, which is why it is best suited for more detailed orientated drawings, and for creating fine lines.
Which brand stands out most for the best Bristol paper?
There is some texture or tooth, which helps grab onto things like the graphite. There are also two more finishes that some brands offer. Strathmore is the brand that stands out most for the best Bristol paper.
Can oil pastels be used on Bristol paper?
Many artists find that oil pastels work great on smooth Bristol paper. Not only that, but the easily portable cardstock is a nice size to work with.
Where can I get Bristol paper?
The most well-known and easily available brand is Strathmore Bristol paper. However, you can also get Bristol paper from Canson, Koh-I-Noor, Neenah amongst others.
