Best Bristol Paper of 2026

Ann Hale Avatar
Ann Hale
Last Updated: Jan 8, 2026

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Bristol paper is a high-quality, heavy-weight paper that is perfect for a variety of artistic and professional projects. It is known for its smooth surface and ability to hold ink and other media without bleeding or smudging. Bristol paper is ideal for use with markers, pens, pencils, and even watercolors. It comes in a range of sizes and weights, making it a versatile choice for any project. Whether you're a professional artist or just starting out, Bristol paper is a great choice for creating high-quality works of art.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Strathmore Bristol Paper Pad, 20 Sheets (9x12 inches) Cover #TOP 1
Strathmore Bristol Paper Pad, 20 Sheets (9x12 inches)
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Paper Pad 11x17 Cover #TOP 2
Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Paper Pad 11x17
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Paper Pad Cover #TOP 3
Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Paper Pad
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Bristol Paper

Strathmore Bristol Paper Pad, 20 Sheets (9x12 inches)

P342-109
Vellum
9x12
Strathmore Bristol Paper Pad, 20 Sheets (9x12 inches) Cover
Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Paper Pad, Vellum, Tape Bound, 9x12 inches, 20 Sheets (100lb/270g) - Artist Paper for Adults and Students - Charcoal, Pen and Ink, Marker, and Pastel

The Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Paper Pad is ideal for final artwork, with a vellum surface that provides the perfect texture for blending and shading with dry media. The heavy Bristol weight paper is acid-free and comes in a tape-bound pad of 20 sheets. Made in the USA, it's perfect for artists of all levels, from students to professionals, and is suitable for graphite pencil, colored pencil, charcoal, sketching stick, mixed media, airbrush, and oil pastel.

What We Like
High quality paper
Durable and smooth surface
No ink bleed or feathering
Great for various media
Affordable for practice work
#TOP 2

Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Paper Pad 11x17

P342-17
Smooth
11x17
Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Paper Pad 11x17 Cover
Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Paper Pad, Smooth, Tape Bound, 11x17 inches, 24 Sheets (100lb/270g) - Artist Paper for Adults and Students - Markers, Pen and Ink

The Strathmore Bristol Paper Pad is great if you enjoy creating comics, cartoons, or graphic novels. Its surface is very smooth, making it perfect for detailed work with pens, ink, and markers. You can also use it for precise mechanical drawing or airbrushing, giving you flexibility in your art. The large 11"x17" size and tape binding make it easy to handle and keep your sheets secure while you work. This pad offers a reliable paper choice that helps you bring your fine art ideas to life with ease and clarity.

What We Like
Ideal for comics and cartoons
Smooth surface for fine details
Works well with pen and ink
Supports mechanical drawing
Large 11"x17" size
#TOP 3

Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Paper Pad

P342-14
Smooth
14x17
Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Paper Pad Cover
Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Paper Pad, Smooth, Tape Bound, 14x17 inches, 20 Sheets (100lb/270g) - Artist Paper for Adults and Students - Markers, Pen and Ink

The Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Paper Pad is ideal for final artwork with pen, ink, mechanical drawing, airbrush, and marker. With a heavy Bristol weight of 100lb/270gsm, it has a smooth surface that's acid-free and perfect for fine detail work. The tape-bound pad measures 14x17 inches and contains 20 sheets of paper made in the USA, suitable for both adults and students.

What We Like
Heavy Bristol weight paper for final artwork
Smooth surface perfect for fine detail work
Ideal for a variety of mediums including pen, ink, mechanical drawing, airbrush, and marker
#TOP 4

Strathmore 400 Series Bristol Paper

P475-12
Smooth, 2 Ply
9x12
Strathmore 400 Series Bristol Paper Cover
Strathmore 400 Series Bristol Paper Pad, Smooth, Tape Bound, 9x12 inches, 15 Sheets (2-ply) - Artist Paper for Adults and Students - Markers, Pen and Ink

Experience high-quality fine detail work with Strathmore 400 Series Bristol Paper. It comes with 15 sheets per pad and is heavyweight smooth for precision drawing. Ideal for using with pens, inks, mechanical drawing, airbrushes, and markers. The vellum surface of the paper allows for a broad range of media, making it versatile for various projects.

What We Like
Heavyweight smooth paper for fine detail work
Ideal for various mediums including pen, ink, mechanical drawing, and markers
Vellum surface allows for versatility in media
#TOP 5

Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Vellum Pad 22x30

P342-22
Yellow
Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Vellum Pad 22x30 Cover
Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Vellum Pad for Artists and Students, 22 x 30 inches, 10 Sheets for Drawing, Sketching, and Printing

The Strathmore Bristol Vellum Pad is ideal for artists who work with graphite, colored pencils, charcoal, and more. You’ll appreciate how it handles various mediums smoothly, making your sketches and drawings stand out. The large 22 by 30-inch sheets give you plenty of space to bring your big ideas to life without worrying about running out of room. Plus, the sturdy cover and chipboard backing protect your artwork, so your creations stay safe whether you’re at home or on the go. This pad keeps your sheets organized and ready for use, eliminating the hassle of loose paper.

What We Like
Supports multiple art mediums
Extra-large sheet size
Sturdy protective cover
Organized pad format
#TOP 6

Strathmore 500 Series Bristol Paper

P580-62
Vellum, 2 Ply
11x14
Strathmore 500 Series Bristol Paper Cover
Strathmore (580-62 500 Series Bristol, 2-Ply Vellum Surface, 11"x14", White, 15 Sheets

Strathmore 500 Series Bristol Paper is heavyweight with a 2-Ply Vellum Surface and acid-free. It's perfect for your final artwork and can be used with pencil, charcoal, sketching sticks, airbrush, pen, and ink. The pad is tape-bound and contains 15 sheets of 11"x14" paper.

What We Like
Heavyweight paper for final artwork
2-Ply Vellum Surface and acid-free
Ideal for various materials including pencil, charcoal, and ink
#TOP 7

Neenah Vellum Bristol Cardstock, Lightweight

91633
White
Ream
Neenah Vellum Bristol Cardstock, Lightweight Cover
Neenah Vellum Bristol Cardstock, Lightweight, 325 Sheets, 67 lb/147 gsm, 94 Brightness, 8.5" x 11" - MORE SHEETS! (91633)

Neenah Vellum Bristol Cardstock is a high-quality, lightweight, and fast-drying paper with 325 sheets per package. It is perfect for all types of light-weight applications such as stamped or folded pieces, documents, presentations, letterheads, greeting cards, calligraphy, and drawing. The cardstock provides jam-free, double-sided prints in copiers, inkjet, and laser printers. It is also lignin and acid-free to reduce yellowing over time. You can mix and match it with other Neenah products for bold and vibrant impact.

What We Like
Lightweight, fast-drying, and high-yield
Provides jam-free, double-sided prints
Perfect for all types of light-weight applications
#TOP 8

Strathmore 400 Series Bristol

P475-14
Smooth, 2 Ply
14x17
Strathmore 400 Series Bristol Cover
Strathmore 400 Series Bristol, 2-Ply Smooth, 14"x17" Tape Bound, 15 Sheets

Strathmore Bristol Pad is a high-quality drawing paper manufactured in the United States. Its 2-ply smooth texture retains the characteristics of drawing paper surface in a heavier weight. The acid-free paper makes it perfect for long-lasting artwork. The Strathmore Bristol Pad is perfect for artists who want to create detailed and precise artworks. The pad is ideal for dry media such as pencil, charcoal, and pastel. The tape-bound pad is easy to use and transport, making it perfect for artists on the go.

What We Like
Acid-free
Heavyweight
Retains paper texture
#TOP 9

Strathmore Bristol Vellum Artist Tiles 6x6

P105-972
White
6x6 inch
Strathmore Bristol Vellum Artist Tiles 6x6 Cover
Strathmore Artist Tiles 6"X6" 20/Pkg-Bristol Vellum -62105972, White

The Strathmore Artist Tiles are perfect for anyone who enjoys drawing or calligraphy. Each tile measures 6 by 6 inches and comes in a convenient pack of 20 sheets, making it easy to work on multiple projects. The tiles are made from thick, 100 lb. vellum that is acid-free, ensuring your artwork stays fresh and doesn’t yellow over time. With glue binding at the top, the sheets stay neatly together but are easy to separate when needed. These tiles work well with various tools like gel ink pens, graphite, colored pencils, and technical pens, giving you flexibility in your creative expression.

What We Like
Acid-free vellum
Thick 100 lb. paper
Glue-bound top sheets
Supports multiple art tools
#TOP 10

Strathmore 400 Series Bristol Smooth 11x14 Pad

P475-2
Smooth, 2 Ply
11x14
Strathmore 400 Series Bristol Smooth 11x14 Pad Cover
Strathmore 400 Series Bristol, 2-Ply Smooth, 11"x14" Tape Bound, 15 Sheets

The Strathmore Bristol Smooth Pad is perfect if you want heavy, smooth paper that helps your detailed work stand out. Its thick surface is great for pen, ink, and precise mechanical drawings, giving you clear, sharp lines. If you enjoy airbrushing or using markers, this paper handles these mediums well without bleeding. The acid-free, two-ply sheets keep your artwork looking fresh and vibrant over time. Plus, the 11"x14" size with tape binding makes it easy to keep your pages together and handy while you work.

What We Like
Heavyweight smooth paper
Great for pen and ink
Works well with markers
Acid-free for longevity
Tape bound for convenience
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Bristol paper best for?

Bristol paper 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, making it versatile for various artistic purposes.

2. What is the difference between Bristol paper and watercolor paper?

Compared to watercolor paper, Bristol paper is less absorbent but more absorbent than typical drawing paper. It is also slightly thicker, allowing it to handle light watercolor washes without warping.

3. Is Bristol paper good for acrylic?

Bristol paper is suitable for acrylic artists who use an airbrush to apply paint or ink. It can also handle light applications of paint as long as they do not contain excessive amounts of water.

4. What medium works best on Bristol paper?

Bristol paper is well-suited for dry media such as colored pencil, graphite, and charcoal. It is a wood-free cellulose paper available in both smooth and vellum surfaces, offering a slight texture that enhances dry media effects.

5. Can you use watercolor paint on Bristol paper?

While it is best to use watercolor paper for watercolor paints, some artists do use watercolor on Bristol paper. However, it is important to note that the paint may bleed through the paper, so caution should be exercised.

6. Can I put Bristol paper in my printer?

Bristol paper can be used in printers, but it is important to check your printer's manual to ensure that it can handle thicker papers without jamming. Some printer models with a larger bend in the paper feed may pose issues with thicker papers like Watercolor and Bristol.

Editor's Notes

During our bristol paper research, we found 24 bristol paper products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 203,543 customer reviews through our big data system to write the bristol paper list. We found that most customers choose bristol paper with an average price of $18.09.

The bristol paper are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of bristol paper, including Strathmore, Neenah. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 2,002 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Ann Hale Avatar

Ann Hale is a seamstress, pattern maker, and fashion designer with extensive sewing experience. She has worked in the fashion industry for over 10 years now after receiving Associates's Degree in fashion design in 2010. Also as a writer, she has many creative and unique insights when it comes to articles.