A Paper Lover’s Guide: Choosing the Right Paper for Your Creative Flow

If you’ve ever bought a journal and thought, this paper is not my vibe, you’re not alone. Paper choice is everything when it comes to getting the most out of your creative time. Whether you’re sketching, painting, or journaling, the right paper can make all the difference.

AND… if you’ve been a die-hard Arches fan or only ever treated yourself of Officeworks sketchbooks before and you’re thinking, wow! I’m so excited to give myself a treat and then you use your BTLT and think WTF, this isn’t what I’m used to… just know that is completely normal - each paper acts differently, whether it’s how much water it can absorb or how vibrant colours appear, and that’s only a couple of the variables. That is the reality of having a living medium manufactured in different ways. I like to think of it as part of the joy of experimenting! As my friend Pascale from Et Voila Studios says, it’s like becoming a proficient horse rider using the same horse and then you jump on another horse and the experience is different. It reminds us that everything is always changing and adapting to that is part of the joy of creating. And I’ve now got a useful offer to help you make your decision - a paper sample pack!

So, enough of me waxing lyrical, let’s get to the good stuff.

What’s the deal with 200gsm vs. 300gsm, hot-pressed vs. cold-pressed, and how do watercolor, Bristol, and multimedia paper compare? By the end of this, you’ll be a paper connoisseur (or at least feel super confident in picking your next journal).

GSM: What’s the Difference Between 200gsm and 300gsm?

GSM stands for grams per square meter, aka how thick and sturdy the paper is.

✨ 200gsm: This is a medium-weight paper that’s great for light washes of watercolor, ink, and markers. It’s sturdy enough to handle some layering but still has a bit of flexibility. Perfect for sketching, mixed media, and journaling with a variety of tools.

✨ 300gsm: This is heavyweight, high-performance paper. It can handle wet media like watercolor, acrylic washes, and heavy ink layers without warping or bleeding through. If you love rich, layered watercolor work or working with thick paint, 300gsm is your go-to.

💡 Think of it this way: 200gsm is like a flexible, durable notebook, while 300gsm is like a sturdy art board.

Hot-Pressed vs. Cold-Pressed: What’s the Deal?

If you’re working with watercolor or mixed media, the finish of the paper matters just as much as its weight.

🔥 Hot-Pressed Paper

• Super smooth, almost no texture

• Best for detailed work, fine lines, and pen/ink

• Watercolor sits on top rather than soaking in, allowing for vibrant colors

❄️ Cold-Pressed Paper

• Has a slight texture (sometimes called “toothy”)

• Absorbs watercolor beautifully, giving it that classic soft, organic look

• Great for loose, expressive painting styles

💡 If you love crisp lines and controlled detail, go hot-pressed. If you’re into flowy, expressive watercolors, cold-pressed is your best friend.

Watercolor, Bristol, or Multimedia Paper: What’s Right for You?

🖌 Watercolor Paper: Designed specifically for water-based media. It absorbs paint well, prevents warping, and can handle a lot of layering. If you do a lot of watercolor painting, this is the best choice.

🎨 Bristol Paper: Ultra-smooth and ideal for pen, ink, and markers. It’s great for illustrations, calligraphy, and detailed work. However, it doesn’t absorb water well, so it’s not great for watercolor.

🖍 Multimedia Paper: A middle-ground option designed to handle a mix of media (pencil, ink, light watercolor, acrylic washes). It’s more absorbent than Bristol but not as thick as dedicated watercolor paper. Perfect if you like to mix things up.

💡 Think of it like this:

• Watercolor paper = Best for painting & water-based work

• Bristol paper = Best for crisp lines & ink-based work

• Multimedia paper = Best for versatility & mixed materials

Final Thoughts: Picking the Best Paper for You

If you’re all about watercolor and heavy layering, go for 300gsm cold-pressed watercolor paper.

If you love pen and ink, markers, or smooth sketching, Bristol paper is your jam.

If you dabble in a bit of everything, mixed media paper is a great all-rounder.

And if you’re still unsure? Grab a sample pack! I’m offering paper sample packs so you can feel the difference before committing to a journal. (Bonus: you’ll get credit toward your order when you’re ready to choose!)

👉 fabriano paper sample pack — Bound To Love Them

Your journal should feel as good as you do when you’re in a creative flow state, so let’s make sure the paper inside is exactly what you need.

Happy creating!
Lou