Strathmore 400 Series
Arteza
Canson XL
When thinking about acrylic we all seem to have that picture-perfect image in our heads: big easel, canvas, and a palette that’s basically a rainbow explosion. But let’s hit pause for a second. Canvas are… well, expensive.
Not everybody can allow themselves the luxury of learning using multiple canvases, and while you can always use a single canvas for multiple paintings, it’s not always the best option, with more uses, the natural texture and grip get lost and the canvas fabric gets damaged.
That’s where paper, the unsung hero of the painting world comes into place.
Believe it or not, paper is up for the job when it comes to acrylics, pick the wrong one, and you’re looking at a hot mess of warping and bleeding, but pick the right one and you’ll have a canvas-like surface that is resistant enough for whatever your creativity tells you to do.
But which paper do you need? What brand is better than the others? How do you know what paper is made for acrylics?
No worries, though! We’ve got your back. This article is your go-to guide for picking the best paper for your acrylic adventures. Trust us, your future self (and your art) will thank you.
What Makes Acrylic Paper Special?
Acrylic paper is specially formulated to handle all the quirks that come with acrylic paint, most high-quality acrylic paper starts with top-notch materials. Two of the most common are cellulose and cotton. Cellulose is essentially plant fiber and offers an affordable yet effective option. Cotton, on the other hand, is like the VIP of paper materials, extra durable and absorbent but also a bit pricier.
Unlike your everyday paper, acrylic paper usually goes through a priming or coating process. This layer, often made of a material like gesso, helps the paper resist soaking up too much paint, which not only preserves your colors but also prevents the paper from warping or breaking apart.
Manufacturers also pay special attention to the weight and texture of the paper, you’ll often find acrylic paper ranging from medium to heavy weight, to ensure it can hold up to the heaviest brush strokes. As for texture, you’ll find options from ultra-smooth to “canvas textured” or “linen textured” and you can choose depending on what kind of effect you’re going for.
How to Find the Best Paper for Acrylic?
Weight
Acrylics are thick and heavy, and when using certain techniques, such as impasto or layering, the paint can quickly add up in terms of wetness, volume, and weight. The last thing you want is your paper buckling under the pressure and that’s what is going to happen if you go for less than 300 gms or 140lb paper. 
Acrylics are water-based, which means that they do hold water, and that can cause your paper to curl if it’s too thin or if it’s not prepped correctly, so, the thicker and heavier, the better the paper is for acrylic painting. You can find paper up to 600 gsm or 300 lbs and although those are amazing, they are also quite rare and hard to find, the sweet spot is 400 gms or +230 lbs which is more common online and in art stores.
Texture
Choosing texture when buying paper for painting with acrylics is more of a matter of taste and preference. You can find different textures through different brands, but the most common are no texture, light texture, canvas texture, and linen texture. While a lightly or non-textured paper is ideal for intricate details and a polished look, canvas-textured paper mimics the feel of traditional canvases and works well for techniques that build up texture.
For a more luxurious or unique finish, you might opt for linen-textured paper, which adds depth and complexity to your work and can significantly impact the final look and feel of your painting.
Material
As we mentioned above, acrylic paper mainly comes in two materials: cellulose, made from plant fibers and often more budget-friendly, and cotton, a premium choice known for durability and absorbency, while Cellulose paper is much more affordable, when we go for the cheapest options we’re risking our work as this paper tends to degrade easily due to their bad treatment or high acidity. It’s crucial to go for acid-free or pH-neutral paper to ensure your artwork doesn’t yellow or deteriorate over time. Cotton will always be better (and more expensive) but for those work you want to last more than a couple decades, cotton is always the right choice.
As for preparation, many artists prefer pre-primed paper, which has already been treated with a layer of gesso, enabling better paint adherence and color vibrancy. This saves you the prep time and can make your painting experience smoother, but prepping the paper with an additional layer of gesso is never a bad idea.
Price
When talking about art supplies, you often get what you pay for, and acrylic paper is no different. As you know, cellulose-based papers are generally more budget-friendly, but they may lack the durability and rich texture that cotton papers offer. While they are great for studies or practicing, they’re not the best for professional work no matter how much you prep them. Pre-primed or specialty textured papers can also run up the tab, but they can save you the cost and effort of preparing the paper yourself.
If you’re serious about your acrylic art, consider investing in higher-quality paper; it can make a world of difference in the longevity and appearance of your artwork which is especially important if you plan on selling or exhibiting any of your pieces.
The 6 Best Papers for Painting with Acrylics
- Best Acrylic Paper Overall – Strathmore 400 Series Acrylic Paper Pad
- Best Professional Acrylic Paper – Winsor & Newton Acrylic Paper
- Best Budget Acrylic Paper – Arteza Acrylic Painting Pads
- Best Canvas Textured Acrylic Paper – Canson Figueras Oil & Acrylic Canvas-Like Paper Block
- Best Value Acrylic Paper – Canson XL Oil and Acrylic
- Best Light Texture Acrylic Paper – U.S. Art Supply Acrylic Painting Paper Pads
#1. Best Acrylic Paper Overall — Strathmore 400 Series Acrylic Paper Pad
Selection Criteria
- Weight: 400 gsm.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Texture: Linen Finish.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Material: Paper.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Acid-Free: Yes.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Presentation: 10 sheets in pad, 18 x 24 inches.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Price: $37.85.
- Our Score: 7/10
About the Strathmore 400 Series Mixed Media Paper Pad.
The Strathmore 400 Series is a high-quality paper that is highly regarded in the acrylic painting community. This paper is one of the few that actually meets the criteria and handles acrylic paint without an issue. It has an authentic canvas-like texture, perfect for those who are used to painting on canvas but don’t want to break the bank.
Its acid-free construction ensures that your work will remain intact for a long period, protecting your investment of time and effort. Its higher weight makes it resistant to bleeding and warping, essential features for thicker paint like acrylic. However, these advantages come with a higher price tag, which could be a limiting factor for artists on a tighter budget.
Pros
- High Quality
- Versatile Use
- Acid-Free
Cons
- Higher Cost
- Limited Sizes
2. Best Professional Acrylic Paper — Winsor & Newton Acrylic Paper
Selection Criteria
- Weight: 300 gsm.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Texture: Canvas textured, linen print.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Material: High-quality, non-absorbent acrylic paper.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Acid-Free: Yes.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Presentation: 15 sheets in the pad, A4 format.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Price: $19.99.
- Our Score: 7/10
About the Winsor & Newton Acrylic Paper.
Winsor & Newton is well known for its high-quality paints, brushes, and other supplies, and acrylic paper is not an exception. Despite being a professional quality choice that meets the highest expectations it has a relatively fair price, making it a perfect choice for serious beginners and professionals alike.
Its texture is specially designed to adhere well to acrylic paint, resulting in brighter colors and better definition of details. Plus, its durability allows you to work layer upon layer without worrying about tears or warping. On the downside, it may also be harder to find in local stores due to its specialization, which could limit its accessibility for some artists.
Pros
- Professional Grade
- Excellent Texture
- Durable
Cons
- Limited Availability
3. Best Budget Acrylic Paper — Arteza Acrylic Painting Pads
Selection Criteria
- Weight: 400 gsm.
- Our Score: 7/10
- Texture: Textured Laid.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Material: Acrylic paper.
- Our Score: 7/10
- Acid-Free: Yes.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Presentation: Pack of 2,16 sheets in pad, 11 x 14 inches.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Price: $23.99
- Our Score: 8/10
About the Arteza Acrylic Painting Pads.
Arteza has produced acrylic paint for quite a few years already, and logically they’d have to come up with a paper alternative that could handle their paints (which are pretty good) and that’s how we now have their acrylic paint pads.
These pads are an affordable option that don’t sacrifice quality, they are a great choice for beginners, students, or for those who want to experiment without worrying too much about the cost of materials. While the texture and durability are somewhat inferior compared to more premium options, they have a decent weight which makes them perfect for all kinds of techniques. They’re available in multiple sizes and are quite easy to find, however, their lower resistance to deformation and their propensity to wear out more quickly are factors to consider.
Pros
- Budget-Friendly
- Good Quality
- Wide Availability
Cons
- Limited Texture
- May Warp
4. Best Canvas Textured Acrylic Paper — Canson Figueras Oil & Acrylic Paper Block
Selection Criteria
- Weight: 290 gsm.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Texture: Canvas textured.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Material: High-quality Paper.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Acid-Free: Yes.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Presentation: Paper Block, 10 sheets.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Price: $64.46.
- Our Score: 6/10
About the Canson Figueras Oil & Acrylic Paper Block.
For those who love the canvas and linen texture, Canson has brought their specialty paper “Figueras”, which is specially made for both acrylics and oil paints. It has a special sizing barrier that allows the paper to absorb any solvent and binders and is thick enough to handle multiple acrylic layers. On the downside, it might warp slightly if not taped when prepping and it’s kind of expensive and not available in every store.
Pros
- Canvas Texture
- High Durability
- Unique Finish
Cons
- Canvas Texture
- High Durability
- Unique Finish
5. Best Value Acrylic Paper — Canson XL Oil and Acrylic.
Selection Criteria
- Weight: 290 gsm.
- Our Score: 7/10
- Texture: Texture Laid.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Material: Paper.
- Our Score: 7/10
- Acid-Free: Yes.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Presentation: 24 sheets in a pad, 11 x 14 inches.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Price: $19.51.
- Our Score: 9/10
About the Canson XL Oil and Acrylic.
Canson XL is the student-grade option that Canson offers, it comes in different varieties including watercolor, acrylic, and mixed media. This paper is a very affordable option that offers excellent value for money, it’s versatile and comes in a variety of sizes, making it a great option for students or artists working on large or smaller projects.
Although its texture and durability do not compare to more specialized products, it is still a fantastic option for experimenting and practicing. The main drawback is its lower thickness and the tendency to wear off more quickly, especially when working with several layers of paint but the price and availability are unmatched.
Pros
- Affordable
- Good Value
- Versatile Use
Cons
- Less Texture
6. Best Light Texture Acrylic Paper — U.S. Art Supply Acrylic Painting Paper Pads
Selection Criteria
- Weight: 400 gsm.
- Our Score: 7/10
- Texture: Lightly textured paper.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Material: Acrylic Paper.
- Our Score: 7/10
- Acid-Free: Yes.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Presentation: Pack of 2, Spiral Bound with 12 sheets, 9 x 12 inches.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Price: $18.99.
- Our Score: 8/10
About the U.S. Art Supply Acrylic Painting Paper Pads.
U.S. Acrylic Paint Pads Art Supply is an excellent option for those who are not really fans of texture. As you already know, the less texture, the easier it is to blend and create smooth gradients. This paper offers a lighter texture at an inexpensive price. I’t also widely available, making them accessible to artists at all levels. While they lack the thickness of more expensive options, they have a decent weight that makes them ideal for sketching and practice.
Pros
- Light Texture
- Affordable
- Easy to Use
Cons
- Limited Durability
- May Bleed
