BRISTOL PAPER

Bristol paper (also known as Bristol board) is a heavyweight, multi-ply drawing paper that is glued together under pressure to create a stiff, strong surface without the need for mounting. Originating from the early days of European papermaking when mills sent their finest papers to Bristol, England to be pasted together, it provides two workable surfaces (front and back). It typically features a baseline thickness of 250 gsm to 270 gsm (100 lb) or higher, categorized by plies (2-ply, 3-ply, or 4-ply) where more layers mean a thicker, sturdier sheetThe choice of Bristol paper depends heavily on its texture, which is manufactured in two primary finishes: [1]Smooth (Plate) Finish: This surface is compressed to be as smooth as glass with little to no “tooth”. It is optimized for fine lines, intricate detail work, and fluid media. It is highly favored by comic book artists and illustrators for use with pen and ink, technical markers, mechanical pencils, airbrushing, and solvent-based markers. Its ultra-smooth nature also allows for extended ink blending times. [1, 2, 3, 4]Vellum (Kid) Finish: This surface features a medium texture with minor “peaks and valleys” that create a distinct tooth. This texture easily grabs dry, friction-based media. It is ideal for graphite, colored pencils, charcoal, pastels, and crayons, enabling deeper tonal variations and even shading