An Introduction To Cold Pressed Paper

If you use paper a lot, you have probably come across smooth and rough paper bases. You can find these in almost every art supply store*. The rough paper is known as cold pressed paper. But what is it about this type of product that qualifies it as cold pressed, and what are its advantages and disadvantages? Here’s what you need to know in our beginner’s guide.

Cold Pressed Paper Basics and How it’s Made

As you might have imagined, because we have cold pressed paper, we likely have hot pressed paper, too, right? That’s correct. The difference between these two types of paper is their surface textures. The hot variant generally has a smoother surface than its colder counterpart. The other chief difference is in the way these two types of paper are manufactured.

Cold pressed paper is made by pressing raw materials through cold rollers or plates. These plates flatten the cellulose fibers in a way that leaves some surface texture. The amount of texture varies by manufacturer and type of product, but in all cases, this type of paper is generally toothier than the hot version. The cellulose fiber in the colder version causes an uneven surface, and this is what’s responsible for the rough base.

Cold pressed paper is the most commonly used type of paper globally. It’s quite easy to hand and work with, which is probably why it’s so popular. The paper is suitable for most media, and it’s also a favorite for watercolor artists.

Types of Cold Pressed Paper

There are two types of cold pressed paper. The first type is cellulose paper, and it’s quite affordable and readily available in the majority of art supply stores. There’s a high chance you can find it even in the smallest local stores. One of the downsides of cellulose paper is that it’s a bit acidic. Also, it tends to become yellow and brittle with time. It can also get easily ruined by the weather.

The second type is cotton. Unlike cellulose paper, this type of acid-free. The good thing about cotton cold pressed paper is that it is quite durable, meaning that artwork is never destroyed. It’s also moisture and weather-resistant. The downside to cotton cold pressed paper is that it may be a bit expensive, and it’s not widely available. When looking for this product, you should keep in mind that there are some types of cellulose products that look and feel like cotton cold pressed paper. To avoid buying the wrong paper, always check for the 100% cotton sign on the paper or book.

Important Facts

There are certain interesting characteristics of cold pressed paper that makes it popular among artists. For instance, it is highly absorbent. This allows watercolor artists to move fast if there is a need to blend colors. As mentioned before, this paper has a somewhat rough texture.

This bumpy and uneven base is preferred by most artists as it gives an aesthetic look to the artwork. As you might imagine, this makes it the preferred choice for work that requires a bit of texture. However, because of its absorbent nature, it tends to absorb most of the color, and this makes the artwork less pigmented and somewhat pale.

Cold Press paper, sometimes referred to as “Not Paper,” feels bumpy to the touch. Due to its bumpy texture, the paper is almost sponge-like when it comes to how it behaves with color. Cold pressed paper will quickly absorb any water that you place on it, evenly distributing it across the page to create a smooth and even wash of color.

*If you are looking for papers available at Paper Papers that have similar and have qualities to cold pressed please check out Crane, Savoy, and Arturo. To make sure you get the correct paper that you would like you can always ask for a sample though our FAQ page on our site. FAQ -> Product Questions -> “Can I get a sample?”