Best Mixed Media Paper of 2025

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Mixed Media Paper is a versatile paper that is perfect for a variety of projects. It is designed to work with various mediums including watercolors, acrylics, markers, and more. This paper is thicker than traditional drawing paper, making it ideal for layering and building up textures. It is also acid-free, ensuring that your artwork will not yellow or fade over time. Mixed Media Paper is available in a range of sizes and formats, including pads, sketchbooks, and loose sheets, making it a great choice for both professional artists and hobbyists alike.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Mixed Media Paper
MOFUNY Mixed Media Sketch Pad
The MOFUNY Mixed Media Sketch Pad is a high-quality sketchbook designed for artists of all levels. Made from environmentally-friendly and recyclable materials, this sketchbook features heavyweight 98lb/160gsm drawing papers that prevent ink from bleeding through the pages. The acid-free sheets ensure that your colors won't deteriorate or fade over time. The top spiral bound hardcover design provides durability and protection for your artistic creations. With its convenient ring binding, you can easily turn pages without worrying about damaging the paper. This sketch pad is versatile and can be used with various wet and dry media, including pencil, pen, charcoal, and crayons. Its compact size of 9 x 12 inches makes it perfect for on-the-go creativity. Whether you're a professional artist or a beginner, the MOFUNY Mixed Media Sketch Pad is a great tool to bring your ideas to life.
Canson XL Mixed Media Paper, 100 Sheets
Canson XL Mixed Media Paper is an acid-free paper that is perfect for scrapbooking and archival use. The paper is sized perfectly for architectural sketches and designs. This paper can be used with a multitude of art supplies, making it perfect for both beginner and expert artists. The paper is made in China.
UCreate 9" x 12" Art Paper
The UCreate Art Paper is ideal for all your artistic needs. This heavyweight sulphite paper features a natural color and a medium tooth surface, making it perfect for various media. Whether you want to sketch with pencils, add color with colored pencils, or create dramatic effects with charcoal, this paper can handle it all. With a generous pack of 500 sheets, you won't run out of space for your creativity anytime soon. Plus, being acid-free and recyclable, it’s a smart choice for eco-conscious artists.
Canson XL Mixed Media Pad
The Canson XL Pad is perfect for artists looking to explore their creativity with confidence. The heavyweight 160gsm sheets allow you to work with both dry and wet media without worrying about color bleeding onto the next page. Its textured surface absorbs paint beautifully, enabling you to layer colors for depth and vibrancy. Whether you’re sketching, painting, or using colored pencils, this versatile pad supports a wide range of art materials, making it ideal for students and hobbyists alike. Experience the freedom to express your artistic vision with this reliable mixed media paper.
Canson Graduate Mixed Media Pad
The Canson Mixed Media Pad is a versatile artist paper perfect for both adults and students. With its 200gsm sheets, you can confidently create with dry and wet media without worrying about damage. Whether you're into urban sketching, art journaling, comics, illustrations, or concept art, this pad is perfect for you. The glue binding allows for easy removal of sheets, so you can quickly fix any mistakes without ripping the pages. The pad is compatible with various mediums including colored pencils, markers, charcoal, brush pens, ink pens, watercolor paints, and pastels. Let your creativity take flight with the Canson Mixed Media Pad!
Strathmore Vellum Paper Pad
Strathmore Vellum Sketch Pad is perfect for your studies or finished art. The heavyweight paper comes in glue-bound pads with easy-to-use flip-over covers, making it convenient for you to work on your creations. Manufactured in the United States, this pad ensures quality. The vellum paper's versatility allows you to experiment with different mediums, whether it's sketching, painting, or mixed media projects.
U.S. Art Supply Mixed Media Paper Pad Sketchbook
The U.S. Art Supply Sketchbook is a pack of two premium spiral-bound sketchbooks, each containing 60 sheets of heavyweight 98 pound (160 gsm) art sketchbook paper. These acid-free sheets have a fine tooth texture surface, making them perfect for creating amazing artwork, drawings, and sketches. Whether you're a professional artist, an art student, or a young aspiring artist, these archival quality sheets are ideal for mastering painting, drawing, and sketching techniques. The micro-perforated true size sheets allow for easy removal, and the versatile paper can be used with a wide range of mediums, including acrylic, oil, watercolor, and gouache paints, as well as pencils, ink pens, markers, graphite, charcoal, and pastels. With the U.S. Art Supply Sketchbook, you can enjoy the convenience of a high-quality sketchbook that guarantees clean lines, easy blending, and non-color fading, whether you're working with wet or dry media.
Strathmore 300 Series Mixed Media Paper Pad
The Strathmore Mixed Media Paper Pad is a versatile artist paper that is perfect for adults and students alike. With its micro-perforated wire bound sheets, it offers convenience and ease of use. Whether you're sketching, practicing techniques, or doing quick studies, this medium weight paper in sketchbook formats is ideal. The paper is designed to handle a variety of mediums including watercolor, gouache, acrylic, graphite, pen & ink, colored pencil, marker, pastel, and collage. Made in the USA, this paper pad provides high-quality materials for your artistic endeavors.
Prang Mixed Media Journal
The Prang Mixed Media Journal, also known as the Prang Journal, is a versatile and convenient art paper for all your sketching, drawing, and painting needs. With its durable spiral binding and heavy chipboard back, this journal provides excellent drawing support. The journal is conveniently sized at 8.5" x 11", making it easy to take anywhere, just like a standard notebook. The acid-free and recyclable paper ensures that your artwork will last for a long time. Backed by the Prang Promise, this journal is backed by the trusted brand and will be replaced if it fails to meet your expectations. Whether you're a professional artist or just starting out, the Prang Journal is a high-quality choice for all your artistic endeavors.
Juvale 100-Pack Cold Press Bamboo Paper Sheets
Juvale Cold Press Bamboo Paper Sheets are the perfect choice for all your drawing, painting, and mixed media needs. Made from high-quality bamboo pulp, these 120gsm sheets are designed for use with watercolor, acrylics, pastels, and more. The cold press texture provides a smooth surface that is compatible with fountain and dip pens. With a size of 8.5 x 11 inches, each sheet offers ample space for your artistic creations. Whether you're a professional artist or just starting out, these cold press bamboo paper sheets from Juvale are sure to enhance your creative process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is mixed media paper best for?
Mixed media paper is ideal for both beginners and advanced artists. It allows artists to test new materials and develop a daily art practice. It is particularly suitable for dry mediums like crayons, pastels, oil pastels, pencils, and graphite.
2. Is mixed media paper good for water-based markers?
Mixed media paper is not recommended for work that primarily involves markers. The paper tends to absorb too much ink, making it difficult to layer colors and blend as the ink dries quickly. It is better suited for other mediums.
3. Can mixed media paper be used with acrylic paint?
Yes, mixed media paper is suitable for use with acrylic paints. The sizing on mixed media papers makes them compatible with acrylics. These papers come in a range of weights, from 250gsm to 300gsm, offering options for different preferences and techniques.
4. Does mixed media paper need gesso?
Using gesso in mixed media projects and art journaling is beneficial. Since mixed media often involves using paint and other liquid media, gesso provides a good base for these materials to adhere to and prevents them from seeping through the paper.
5. Should you soak watercolor paper before painting?
The need to soak watercolor paper before painting depends on its weight. Heavier weight papers, such as 300lbs, can be soaked for about 25-30 minutes. Some artists also choose to stretch heavyweight watercolor paper before painting heavily on it or applying multiple washes. Alternatively, you can wet the paper with a sponge.
During our mixed media paper research, we found 24 mixed media paper products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 253,813 customer reviews through our big data system to write the mixed media paper list. We found that most customers choose mixed media paper with an average price of $12.45.
The mixed media paper are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of mixed media paper, including MOFUNY, Canson, UCREATE, Strathmore, U.S. Art Supply. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 552 consumers with an average rating of 5.0.

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.