You’ve probably noticed that finding the right Fabriano watercolor paper can make or break your paintings. Each weight and finish offers distinct advantages—from smooth surfaces perfect for precision work to textured options that embrace spontaneity. But which one truly matches your artistic style and technique? The answer depends on factors you might not’ve considered yet.
Quick Overview
- Cold press Fabriano paper balances texture and control, making it the most versatile choice for professional watercolor artists.
- 300 lb weight prevents buckling during wet techniques, preferred by artists using intensive water application and layering methods.
- Cotton-based Fabriano sheets offer superior durability and archival quality, preserving artwork vibrancy and integrity over decades.
- Hot press surface enables precise detail work and sharp edges, favored by artists prioritizing smooth finishes and masking fluid use.
- Rough texture Fabriano creates expressive, organic effects with high absorbency, preferred by artists seeking dramatic, spontaneous results.
| Fabriano AEW BL 4CO 25F GF Watercolour Paper – 12.5 x 18 cm Extra White |
| Best for Travel | Weight/GSM: 300 g/m² | Sheet Count: 25 sheets | Surface Texture: Fine-grained | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Fabriano Artistico 140 lb. Hot Press 20 Sheet Block 12×18″ – Extra White |
| Best for Professionals | Weight/GSM: 300 g/140 lb. | Sheet Count: 20 sheets | Surface Texture: Fine grain, satin grain, softened grain, tea towel | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Fabriano Artistico Extra White Watercolor Block 7×10 |
| Best Value Block | Weight/GSM: 300 GSM/140 lb. | Sheet Count: 20 sheets | Surface Texture: Cold press (lightly textured) | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Fabriano AEW BL 4CO 25F GF Watercolour Paper – 12.5 x 18 cm Extra White
If you’re seeking a professional-grade watercolor paper that resists yellowing and maintains its pristine surface over time, this Fabriano option delivers exceptional quality. The 12.5 x 18 cm sheets come in a pack of 25, offering you plenty of material for your projects. At 300 g/m² basis weight, you’ll appreciate the paper’s substantial feel and durability. The extra white, fine-grained surface provides an ideal foundation for your watercolor techniques. You’ll benefit from its acid-free, chlorine-free, and pH-neutral construction, which guarantees your artwork won’t deteriorate. This paper’s high resistance to aging means your paintings remain vibrant and beautiful for decades, making it an investment in your artistic legacy.
- Weight/GSM:300 g/m²
- Sheet Count:25 sheets
- Surface Texture:Fine-grained
- Paper Quality:Acid-free, chlorine-free, pH-neutral
- Finish:Extra white
- Intended Use:Watercolor
- Additional Feature:Fine-grained texture option
- Additional Feature:Acid-free, chlorine-free construction
- Additional Feature:Resistant to aging
Fabriano Artistico 140 lb. Hot Press 20 Sheet Block 12×18″ – Extra White
The Fabriano Artistico 140 lb. Hot Press block offers you twenty sheets of premium watercolor paper in a convenient 12×18″ format. You’ll appreciate the extra white surface that provides brilliant color vibrancy and excellent light fastness. The hot press finish delivers a smooth, refined texture ideal for detailed work and fine line application. At 300 gsm weight, this paper withstands multiple washes and glazing techniques without buckling. You can choose from four distinctive textures—fine grain, satin grain, softened grain, and tea towel—each affecting your brushwork differently. The block format keeps your sheets bound together, preventing curling and streamlining your workflow. Whether you’re creating intricate botanical illustrations or vibrant landscapes, this professional-grade paper meets demanding artistic standards.
- Weight/GSM:300 g/140 lb.
- Sheet Count:20 sheets
- Surface Texture:Fine grain, satin grain, softened grain, tea towel
- Paper Quality:Extra white
- Finish:Hot press
- Intended Use:Watercolor
- Additional Feature:Multiple surface textures available
- Additional Feature:Hot press surface finish
- Additional Feature:Block format gluebound design
Fabriano Artistico Extra White Watercolor Block 7×10
Artist’s seeking a portable, versatile watercolor solution will find the Fabriano Artistico Extra White Watercolor Block 7×10 an excellent choice. This 140 lb. cold press block contains twenty 100% cotton sheets that you’ll appreciate for their durability and absorbency. The paper’s internal and external sizing prevents excessive water absorption while maintaining excellent resilience for layering techniques. You can confidently work with watercolors, acrylics, gouache, inks, and charcoal on the lightly textured surface. The four-sided glue binding keeps sheets secure, making it ideal for painting outdoors or traveling. At just 3.2 ounces, you’ll easily transport this chlorine and acid-free block anywhere your artistic pursuits take you.
- Weight/GSM:300 GSM/140 lb.
- Sheet Count:20 sheets
- Surface Texture:Cold press (lightly textured)
- Paper Quality:100% cotton, chlorine and acid-free
- Finish:Extra white
- Intended Use:Watercolor, tempera, gouache, acrylic, ink, charcoal, graphite, drawing
- Additional Feature:100% cotton composition
- Additional Feature:Cold press textured surface
- Additional Feature:Gluebound portable block format
Factors to Consider When Choosing Fabriano Watercolor Paper
You’ll want to evaluate paper weight and thickness to guarantee your paper can handle wet applications without buckling, then consider the surface texture and finish that’ll best suit your artistic style. Sheet size and format matter too, as you’ll need dimensions that fit your workspace and vision, while cotton content directly impacts durability and how well your work’ll age over time. Finally, you’ll need to understand the sizing and absorbency levels, since these factors determine how swiftly your paper absorbs water and pigment, affecting your control and layering techniques.
Paper Weight and Thickness
When selecting Fabriano watercolor paper, weight and thickness are critical factors that directly influence how your paper performs under wet conditions. Fabriano offers weights ranging from 90 lb to 300 lb, each serving distinct purposes. Lighter papers like 140 lb suit wet-on-wet techniques, allowing pigment to flow freely across the surface. Heavier 300 lb sheets provide superior stability for wet-on-dry methods, resisting buckling during intense water application. Thicker papers absorb less water, giving you greater control over your washes and preventing oversaturation. Consider your preferred painting style when choosing weight. If you work with heavy water application, invest in heavier stock. For spontaneous, flowing techniques, lighter papers deliver the responsiveness you need for ideal artistic expression.
Surface Texture and Finish
The three primary surface textures—cold press, hot press, and rough—each deliver distinct advantages that’ll shape your watercolor experience. Cold press paper offers a medium texture balancing absorbency with control, making it ideal for both wet-on-wet and detailed techniques. Hot press provides a smooth, glossy surface with minimal absorbency, enabling crisp, precise brushwork and meticulous rendering. Rough paper features heavy texture creating expressive, unique effects, though it demands more paint to cover its pronounced tooth.
Your choice depends entirely on your preferred painting style and desired final appearance. Consider the techniques you favor most. If you want versatility, cold press serves most painters well. Prefer smooth detail work? Hot press excels. Seeking dramatic texture and spontaneity? Rough delivers that distinctive character.
Sheet Size and Format
Once you’ve settled on your preferred surface texture, sheet size and format become your next strategic decision. Fabriano offers standard sizes like 12×18 inches, which give you expansive space for bold washes and complex compositions. If you’re painting outdoors or sketching frequently, smaller portable formats like 7×10 inches prove more practical. Consider whether you’ll work with individual sheets or choose a bound block format—blocks keep your paper flat and eliminate the need for stretching, while loose sheets offer flexibility. Larger sizes demand more pigment and water but reward you with creative freedom. Smaller formats accelerate your workflow and reduce material costs. Match your sheet size to your typical painting scenarios, whether you’re working in your studio or capturing plein air studies.
Cotton Content and Durability
Cotton content fundamentally shapes your paper’s performance and longevity. When you choose Fabriano paper with higher cotton percentages, you’re investing in durability that withstands the test of time. Cotton-based sheets resist tearing, wrinkling, and fading far better than their lower-cotton counterparts, making them ideal for professional and archival work you’ll treasure for decades.
The weight and thickness of cotton paper provide superior support when you layer and lift techniques during painting. You’ll notice the pronounced, consistent texture enhances how your watercolors interact with the surface. Additionally, cotton’s archival properties—particularly its acid and chlorine resistance—actively preserve your artwork’s integrity. These qualities guarantee your creations maintain their vibrancy and structural integrity, protecting your investment in both materials and artistic effort.
Sizing and Absorbency Levels
Beyond the paper’s fiber composition, sizing and absorbency levels dramatically influence how your watercolors perform on the surface. You’ll find Fabriano papers range from lightly sized to heavily sized, each offering distinct advantages.
Lightly sized papers absorb more water, letting you create flowing washes and blend pigments easily. Heavily sized papers restrict absorbency, giving you greater wash control and sharper edges. Cold press surfaces strike a middle ground, balancing absorbency with texture for versatile applications.
Hot press Fabriano delivers a smooth, low-absorbency finish ideal for detailed work and masking fluid techniques. Conversely, rough papers boast high absorbency and pronounced texture, perfect for expressive, loose approaches that showcase organic effects.
Your technique determines which sizing works best.
Price and Value Comparison
Several factors influence how much you’ll spend on Fabriano watercolor paper, and understanding these variables helps you find the best value for your needs. Fabriano’s cotton-based papers command higher prices than student-grade alternatives, reflecting superior longevity and performance. You’ll notice heavier sheets at 300 gsm cost more than lighter 140 lb options, yet justify the investment through reduced buckling and better paint application. Surface texture—cold press, hot press, or rough—affects pricing, with smoother finishes typically running higher. Handmade Fabriano papers represent premium investments compared to machine-made versions, offering unique character and archival qualities. Consider your skill level and project requirements when evaluating costs, as professional-grade sheets deliver exceptional value for serious artists committing to quality work.
