Best Types of Paper to Try for Block Printmaking

There are plenty of printmaking paper options available today, and most can be shipped right to your doorstep! Wondering which paper to try first? Start with what you already have on hand, then stay curious—experiment with new papers whenever you can.

To make prints that last, look for archival and acid-free papers. These qualities help prevent your artwork from yellowing or deteriorating over time, keeping your prints vibrant for years to come.

Try out different papers in your studio and see which ones give you that perfect impression. Remember, there’s no single “right” paper for relief printmaking. As your style evolves, exploring various papers will help you discover what works best for your creative process.

What do all these words mean?

Below are a few quick definitions of common paper lingo. 

• Acid-free Papers – Paper-making technology is used to create alkaline papers. This means the pH of the pulp used to form the paper is above 7 (neutral). The paper is also buffered with an alkaline reserve to neutralize acid compounds absorbed from the atmosphere or formed through natural aging.
• Archival Papers – Besides being acid-free, the paper should contain no groundwood or unbleached pulp, meet strict limits on metallic content, and be free from optical brighteners that artificially make the sheet whiter.
• GSM (Paper Weight) – is a universal measurement that applies to all paper types (grams per square meter). It refers to the weight of the paper. The heavier the paper, the higher the number of gsm. 
• Natural Deckles – refers to paper that has a feathered edge created during the hand-made paper-making process. (You can make a post-production deckle with a ruler like this to give any paper a deckled edge.)

Best Types of Paper to Try for Block Printing:

All the fine art papers listed here come from natural materials and work beautifully with a range of printmaking techniques. I’ve arranged this list from the thinnest papers (lower gsm) up to the thicker ones (higher gsm). These papers perform well for both hand printing and printing with various types of presses. Plus, you can confidently use either oil-based or water-based inks on any paper in this selection.

Choosing different papers can be overwhelming. If you want to get started making art prints without worrying about having the right paper, I recommend printmakers start with the Strathmore 300 Series Printmaking Paper Pad. It is a good choice because it is a great price, easy to find, and its smooth surface is suitable for almost any printmaking application. 

After you are comfortable printing on that paper surface, it is a good idea to see if you can find an art supply store that allows you to buy a single sheet of paper. If you can buy a single sheet of paper that will allow you to try different types and weights of handmade papers without having the extra cost of placing a bulk order of the best paper stock. Ultimately, the ideal paper choice varies from artist to artist. Everyone has a different personal preference, informed by their printmaking process. 

Scrap paper

In my studio, I often use computer paper (75gsm) and newsprint (49gsm) for test printing. Keep in mind, these papers aren’t archival and aren’t suitable for finished prints, but they’re perfect for practice!

When you’re testing your block, use whatever you have on hand. Test prints on scrap paper? Absolutely! Even an old paper grocery bag? Why not! Once you’ve dialed in your block and are getting consistent prints, switch to your favorite archival paper to create a beautiful final series.

Tip: Some artists save their misprinted prints and reuse them. Over time, this creates sheets of paper that have been printed several times over, creating a layered effect of marks and colors. Artists use them to make unique bookmarks, bonus enclosures, bookends, etc. 

Yasutomo Hosho Printmaking Paper (26gsm)

Yasutomo Hosho Printmaking Paper is a lightweight, semi-transparent Japanese paper featuring visible straw-like fibers. It has an off-white color and contains sulfite, giving it a unique texture. Made from Kozo pulp and sulfite, this paper comes in pads of precut sheets with deckled edges or on a roll.

Its strength makes it ideal for hand printing techniques, and it also performs well when run through a flatbed press. While Yasutomo Hosho is acid-free, it is not classified as archival.

Awagami Kitakata Printmaking Paper (36gsm) 

Awagami Kitakata Fine Art Paper is perfect for drawing and printmaking. This thin, semi-translucent paper comes in natural cream or soft green shades. It’s made from 90% Gampi fiber (from a Japanese shrub) and 10% alpha cellulose (wood fiber), giving it a smooth surface that holds fine print details beautifully.

Available in large 16″ x 20″ sheets with deckled edges, Awagami Kitakata works well for both hand printing and flatbed press techniques. Its high absorbency and strength make it a reliable choice for printmakers.

This paper is acid-free, archival, and proudly made in Japan.

Okawara Printmaking Paper (51gsm) 

Okawara Paper is handmade from kozo fibers and sulfite, giving it a soft, supple, and strong feel. Its manufacturing lines (laid lines) are nearly invisible, providing a smooth surface for printing. Each sheet measures 12″ × 16″ (305 mm × 406 mm) and features natural white tones with deckled edges.

As one of the thickest Japanese papers available, Okawara is an excellent choice for printmaking. Plus, it’s acid-free and archival, ensuring your prints will last beautifully over time.

Speedball Printmaster Paper (104gsm) 

Speedball Printmaster Block Printing Paper enhances the intensity and texture of your linoleum and woodblock prints. This popular paper features a delicate marbled appearance with a soft tooth that absorbs ink beautifully.

It comes in three convenient pre-cut sizes: 9×12 inches, 12×18 inches, and 18×24 inches. Plus, Speedball Printmaster paper is both acid-free and archival, ensuring your prints stay vibrant over time.

Strathmore 300 Series Printmaking Paper Pad (120gsm)

Strathmore 300 Series Printmaking Paper comes in a natural white shade with a soft, medium surface texture that absorbs plenty of ink, perfect for relief printing, linocut, practice runs, and proofing. Made from high-alpha cellulose wood fibers, it offers durability and reliable performance.

This paper is commonly sold in 40-sheet pads measuring 8 x 10 inches and is manufactured in the United States. It’s acid-free, which helps protect your prints, though it is not classified as archival.

BFK Rives (280gsm)

BFK Rives is a beautiful 100% cotton paper favored by printmakers who enjoy printing on dampened paper. Because it’s a heavier weight, I recommend using a press to transfer your image for the best results. If you’re up for some serious muscle work, you can also print by hand using a baren.

This paper is widely available and a staple in many artists’ studios. It’s easy to cut or tear, making it perfect if you want to create a deckled edge. Plus, BFK Rives is acid-free, archival, and proudly made in France.

Handmade Cotton Paper (180gsm-300gsm)

Kelsey Pike Paper Co. produces fantastic 100% cotton papers available in several weights. I especially enjoy using their heavier-weight papers with a flatbed etching press to create a beautiful embossed effect on my prints. If you print by hand, lighter-weight, thinner papers work best for you.

Kelsey Pike offers three main weights:

• 180gsm (standard)
• 220gsm (heavy-weight)
• 300gsm (double-heavy)

Their papers have a lovely textured surface and are both acid-free and archival. Since these cotton papers are also popular for watercolor painting, they make an excellent choice if you plan to add watercolor details to your prints afterward.

I hope this list helps make choosing the best paper feel less overwhelming! Here’s a fun idea: try printing the same block on several different papers. Pay attention to how the textures and surfaces change the look and feel of your print.

Want to take it further? Frame your prints on different papers and see how each one changes your impression of the artwork.

Above all, enjoy the process—printmaking is all about having fun and discovering what inspires you!