“Conrad Press had the paper that I needed for my residency in stock and was able to ship it out right away. What a life saver. “
-Sharon Johnson,
Artist/ Printmaker
Take a closer look.
Conrad Press offers some of the best printmaking paper options for artists who want dependable performance under pressure. From soft, 100% cotton papers to versatile sheets designed for wet or dry techniques, our collection includes trusted papers in a variety of sizes, weights, colors, and surface textures.
Shop printmaking paper from Conrad Press and choose the perfect sheet for your next edition, class, workshop, or fine art print.
Conrad Press Printmaking Paper Selection
We Stock it. You Need it.
Finding the right printmaking paper for every project at the Conrad Press Store is easy. We carry a carefully selected range of high-quality printmaking papers for etching, lithography, relief printing, screen printing, monotype, and mixed media.
Whether you are a professional printmaker, art student, educator, or studio owner, our paper selection offers the quality and consistency needed for reliable results.
Check out our selection.
Rives BFK 250gsm White
BFK Rives has long been considered a benchmark for high-quality mouldmade printmaking paper in Europe. Artists value it not only for its excellent performance, but also for its dependable quality from one sheet to the next.
Made from 100% cotton without optical brightening agents, BFK Rives has a naturally bright appearance. The paper feels smooth, soft, and flexible, yet remains stable under pressure and moisture. Its absorbent wove surface makes it suitable for nearly every printmaking technique.
The combination of a smooth surface, gentle texture, and light sizing allows the paper to capture fine lines, subtle tones, and delicate details. Each sheet has two naturally formed deckled edges, while the other two edges are torn during finishing to create a similar handcrafted appearance.
BFK Rives is available in several versatile colors, including white, cream, tan, and grey.
Rives Heavyweight White
BFK Rives works beautifully with traditional printmaking methods, including etching, aquatint, mezzotint, engraving, stone lithography, and relief printing. Its strong surface is especially important when printing under heavy pressure, as it helps prevent the paper from cracking or breaking around the edges of a metal plate.
Although it is designed for printmaking, BFK Rives is also an excellent drawing paper. Its smooth, supple surface responds well to graphite, charcoal, pastel, and other dry media.
The Lightweight and Heavyweight sheets are available in different formats, each with its own grain direction and edge arrangement. The 26-by-19-inch sheets in 115gsm and 175gsm are short grain. They have two natural deckled edges along the 19-inch sides, with one torn edge and one clean-cut edge along the 26-inch sides.
The larger 26-by-40-inch sheets in the same weights are long grain. They feature two natural deckled edges along the 40-inch sides and two torn deckled edges along the 26-inch sides.
Somerset Satin 250gsm White
Somerset is one of the best-known printmaking papers produced by the historic St. Cuthbert’s Mill in the United Kingdom. First introduced in the early 1970s, it quickly became a trusted choice among professional printmakers and artists.
Somerset originally came in a fairly limited selection. During the early 1990s, the range was greatly expanded in response to feedback from the printmaking community. New colors, weights, sizes, and surface options helped turn Somerset into one of the most complete collections of mouldmade printmaking papers available from a single mill.
By the late 1990s, Somerset was also gaining attention in the emerging field of fine art digital printing. Larger sheet sizes and heavier weights, including 330gsm and 500gsm, were introduced to support this new use.
Arches Cover 250gsm White
Arches Cover has long been considered one of the classic fine art papers for printmaking. This mouldmade, 100% cotton paper has been trusted by artists for generations and has helped set the standard for many high-quality printmaking papers that came after it.
One of its great advantages is how easily it can be prepared for printing. Because it has internal sizing and very little surface sizing, it can often be dampened before use rather than soaked for a long period of time. Of course, every artist has their own process, and the amount of moisture needed will depend on the technique, press, ink, and desired result.
Arches Cover is known for its versatility. It can be printed wet, damp, or dry, and its gentle surface texture makes it suitable for a wide variety of printmaking methods. It also holds its shape well during printing and can handle multiple passes through an etching or lithography press without cracking around the edges of the plate.
Masa 77gsm White
Masa is an affordable and adaptable Japanese paper that works well with many different art techniques. Artists commonly use it for sumi painting, watercolor, printmaking, and other processes that involve moisture.
Despite its soft feel, Masa is surprisingly strong and holds up well when dampened. It has a clean white appearance and is sized both internally and on the surface, helping it manage water and ink more effectively. The two sides have slightly different textures: one is smooth with a subtle sheen, while the other has a gentle tooth that provides a little more grip.
Although Masa is often referred to as “rice paper,” it is not actually made from rice. Instead, it is produced from sulphite wood pulp, giving it its balance of softness, durability, and versatility.
Pescia 300gsm White
Made in Italy, Pescia was the mill’s first printmaking paper created entirely from cotton fibers. It offers a professional-quality surface designed to meet the needs of artists working with both traditional and demanding printmaking techniques.
Pescia feels smooth, soft, and flexible in the hand. It is internally sized but has very little surface sizing, allowing it to absorb ink beautifully while remaining strong enough to handle pressure, moisture, and repeated handling.
This versatile paper is especially popular for intaglio, mezzotint, aquatint, etching, woodblock printing, stone lithography, and silkscreen. Its supple surface also works exceptionally well for drawing, making it a great choice for graphite, colored pencils, pastels, and charcoal.
Each sheet features natural deckled edges on all four sides. It also includes a repeating watermark of the historic CM logo, which runs through the paper rather than appearing in one fixed location.
Printmaking Paper Size Comparison Chart
Which Paper Size is Right?
Printmaking paper comes is several different standard sizes and sheets. Here is a paper sizing chart reference for the standard paper sizes.
| Paper Size | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|
| A0 | 33.1″ | 46.8″ |
| A1 | 23.4″ | 33.1″ |
| A2 | 16.5″ | 23.4″ |
| A3 | 11.7″ | 16.5″ |
| A4 | 8.3″ | 11.7″ |
| A5 | 5.8″ | 8.3″ |
| A6 | 4.1″ | 5.8″ |
| A7 | 2.9″ | 4.1″ |
Printmaking Paper Differences
Which Paper is Best?
The best printmaking paper depends on your printing style and the unique lines you are trying to make. Each paper type has different characteristics.
Key differences between printmaking papers include:
- Weight: Heavier papers are stronger and more durable
- Absorbency: Affects how ink is held and displayed
- Texture: Influences detail and visual character
- Archival Quality: Determines longevity
Choosing the right paper depends on the desired outcome and technique.
Conrad Printmaking Paper Orders
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Quantity Discounts
Planning a large print run, stocking a studio, or purchasing paper for a classroom? Conrad Press offers bulk discounts on larger paper orders, making it easier to purchase the quantity you need at a better overall value.
Bulk pricing is especially helpful for schools, universities, professional print shops, community studios, workshops, and artists who use paper regularly. Ordering in larger quantities can help reduce the cost per sheet while ensuring that you have a dependable supply of paper from the same order.
Because paper sizes, weights, and quantities can vary, bulk discounts may depend on the specific products being purchased. Contact Conrad Press with the type of paper and quantity you need, and our team will help you find the best available pricing for your order.
Conrad Printmaking Paper Size Specifications
Find the Right One.
| Printmaking Paper Brand | Sheet Size |
| Rives Heavyweight White | 26″ x 19″ |
| Rives BFK 250gsm White | 22″ x 30″ |
| Somerset Satin 250gsm White | 22″ x 30″ |
| Stonehenge White 250gsm | 22″ x 30″ |
| Arches Cover 250gsm White | 22″ x 30″ |
| Pescia 300gsm White | 22″ x 30″ |
| Masa 77gsm White | 21″ x 31″ |
Get Premium Printmaking Paper for Your Studio
There’s never been
a better time to print.
Bring out the best in every print with high-quality printmaking paper from the Conrad Press Store. Explore our selection of trusted papers for etching, lithography, relief printing, screen printing, and more.
Shop today and find the right size, weight, color, and surface for your next project.
Shop Printmaking Paper NowWhat Is Printmaking Paper?
Printmaking paper is a specially designed paper used to receive ink transferred from a printing surface such as a plate, block, or stone. Unlike standard drawing or office paper, printmaking paper is engineered for strength, absorbency, flexibility, and durability, allowing it to withstand pressure from a press and capture fine details.
The choice of paper is one of the most important decisions a printmaker makes. It directly affects how ink is absorbed, how details appear, and how long the final print will last. From delicate etchings to bold woodcuts, the right paper helps bring your image to life.
The Purpose of Printmaking Paper
The primary purpose of printmaking paper is to receive and hold ink from a printing surface with precision and clarity. To do this effectively, the paper must have certain characteristics like.
- Ink Absorption: Holds pigment within the fibers without bleeding
- Detail Capture: Records fine lines and textures
- Strength: Withstands pressure from presses without tearing
- Longevity: Resists aging, yellowing, and deterioration
High-quality printmaking paper ensures that prints remain sharp, vibrant, and durable over time.
Materials Used in Printmaking Paper
Printmaking paper is typically made from high-quality fibers that provide strength and flexibility:
Cotton Rag
The most common material in fine art printmaking. Cotton fibers are long, strong, and highly absorbent, making them ideal for detailed prints.
Linen or Hemp
Used in some traditional papers for added strength and durability.
Wood Pulp
Less expensive but generally lower quality. Often used in student-grade papers.
Handmade vs Machine-Made
- Handmade Paper: Crafted individually, often with irregular edges (deckle edges)
- Mould-Made Paper: Machine-assisted but mimics handmade quality
- Machine-Made Paper: More uniform and economical
The choice of material affects the paper’s texture, strength, and performance.
Types of Printmaking Paper by Technique
Different printmaking techniques require different types of paper. Let’s look at each printmaking technique to see which characteristics affect the printing process.
Etching (Intaglio) Paper
- Soft and thick
- Highly absorbent and flexible
- Often dampened before printing to help it press into plate grooves
Lithography Paper
- Smooth and less absorbent
- Designed to sit on a flat surface without excessive stretching
- Maintains crisp detail and tonal variation
Relief Printing Paper
- Moderately absorbent
- Can range from thin and smooth to thick and textured
- Must hold ink from raised surfaces without excessive spreading
Letterpress Paper
- Durable and slightly compressible
- Often thicker to allow for deep impressions
- Designed for clean, sharp text and image transfer
Each type of paper is optimized for the physical demands of each printing process.
Surface Qualities of Printmaking Paper
Printmaking paper comes in a variety of surface textures. These textures can add to your prints’ overall tonality. They can also get in the way. Choosing the right textured paper is important to make sure your prints turn out how you envision them.
Here are a few different common printmaking paper textures.
Smooth (Hot Press)
Ideal for fine detail and lithography.
Medium Texture (Cold Press)
Provides a balance between detail and texture.
Rough
Adds character and depth, often used in expressive prints.
Deckle Edges
Natural, irregular edges found in handmade or mould-made paper, often considered aesthetically desirable.
How Printmaking Paper Is Used
The use of printmaking paper varies by technique, but generally follows these steps:
1. Preparing the Paper
For intaglio, paper is soaked in or wetted with water and then blotted to achieve the right moisture level.
2. Positioning
The paper is carefully placed over the inked plate.
3. Printing
The paper and inked plate are run through the Conrad press to apply pressure and transfer the ink from the plate to the paper.
4. Drying
Finally, the print is dried flat to prevent warping allowing the ink to dry and produce a finished print.
The History of Printmaking Paper
Printmaking paper has a long history, evolving alongside printing techniques. Early papers were handmade from cotton or linen rags, providing the durability needed for early printing presses.
As printmaking developed, paper production became more refined, leading to the creation of specialized papers for different techniques. Today, modern papers combine traditional craftsmanship with advanced manufacturing methods.
Advantages of High-Quality Printmaking Paper
High-quality printmaking paper offers several benefits:
- Superior Detail: Captures fine lines and textures
- Durability: Resists tearing and wear
- Archival Quality: Ensures long-lasting prints
- Versatility: Suitable for multiple techniques
These qualities make it an essential component of professional printmaking.
Care and Storage of Printmaking Paper
In order to make sure your paper stays suitable for printing, you have to store it properly. The last thing you want to is to open your paper storage drawer after some time to find damage.
Here are some tips to store your paper safely and efficiently:
- Store Flat: Prevent warping and creasing
- Control Humidity: Avoid moisture damage
- Handle Carefully: Use clean hands or gloves
- Protect from Light: Prevent fading or discoloration
Frequently Asked Questions
What is printmaking paper used for?
Printmaking paper is used to receive ink from the printing surface of a plate to create a final print.
What is the best material for printmaking paper?
Cotton rag is widely considered the best material for printmaking paper due to its strength and absorbency.
Do all printmaking techniques use the same paper?
No, different printmaking techniques use different types of paper because the paper characteristics change the final printed image.
Why is printmaking paper thicker than regular paper?
Printmaking paper is typically thicker than regular paper because it needs to withstand pressure and absorb ink effectively.
How do you store printmaking paper?
Always store printmaking paper flat in a dry, controlled environment to maintain quality.
