Top Factors On Which Your Buying Of Arches Watercolor Paper Is Dependent

 The watercolor paper you pick may have a significant bearing on the quality of the work you produce. We'll help you select the paper that's best for you in this blog!

You might save a few bucks with low-quality Arches Watercolor paper. However, with that, you'll notice that watercolor pigments do not react well on cheap surfaces, making a few techniques challenging to perform. You also don't want watercolor paper that starts to disintegrate when you use rough techniques. It's also vital that the paper you're selecting is acid-free and long-lasting as well.

There are many arch watercolor papers available to watercolorists. Your selection of paper often boils down to personal preference. Here are a few factors you should take into account when making a choice:

Factors To Take Into Consideration When Selecting Arches Watercolor Paper For Your Next Purchase

Quality

There are two primary grades of arch watercolor paper: artists' quality and students' quality. The artists' quality is acid-free and intended to endure, sometimes comprehended as archival paper. Papers that aren't acid-free will turn yellow and crispy over a period of time. 

If you're a novice or just started to practice, students' quality paper is fine. But the paint won't perform well and don't expect your painting to withstand the test of time.

Production

Arches Watercolor paper is often created by three processes: handmade, mold-made, or machine-made. When it comes to selecting the best among the three, handmade wins the race, and mold-made is a close second. Both are durable and stable. However, both shouldn't distort under heavy wash. Both papers feature irregular surface textures that are good to paint on. 

If you wish to buy artists' quality paper, opt for either handmade or mold-made. Students' quality paper is generally machine-made, which means it is cheap but tends to distort and deteriorate when wet.

Content

Paper is created with a mixture of water and cellulose fibers. The fibers must be 100% cotton in artists' quality papers to make them solid and pliable as well. If you are someone who cares about permanence or plans to use lots of scrubbing, scraping, taping, and masking techniques, you must opt for 100% cotton paper that can handle a beating.

Sheets & Rolls

You may buy separate sheets individually or a pack. But if you buy paper with less than 300lb, you are likely required to stretch it beforehand so that it doesn't warp or buckle. This isn't a complex process. However, it is a bit problematic. 

When it comes to artists' quality Arches Watercolor paper, you can buy it by the roll as well. Since you know you'll need the paper, buying in bulk is an excellent way to save a few dollars in the long run.

The Bottom Line!

There is no doubt that your purchase without consideration may go wrong. Hence, considering the elements as mentioned above is essential to settle for the right paper for your next drawing assignment. I hope this guide will help you in your next purchase for sure.