Watercolour Paper FAQ: Hot Press, Cold Press & Rough Explained

Watercolour paper has more variables than acrylic surfaces — and getting them wrong tanks even good painting. Here are the 12 questions we get asked most often, with plain-English answers.

A note from the shop floor — the customer who taught me the most about watercolour paper was a retired surgeon who came in weekly with paintings done on photocopy paper. She'd been wondering for years why her colours muddied. One swap to 300gsm cold press transformed her work overnight.

1. What's the difference between hot press, cold press and rough?

It's about texture (the "tooth" of the paper):

• Hot press: Smooth surface. Hot rollers press the fibres flat. Great for fine detail, pen-and-ink-with-watercolour, botanical illustration.
• Cold press: Mid texture. Most common. The all-rounder — works for almost any watercolour style.
• Rough: Heavy texture. Lots of "bite" so paint pools in the dips. Best for atmospheric landscapes, expressive work, splatter effects.

2. What GSM (weight) do I need?

GSM is grams per square metre. Higher number = thicker paper:

• Under 200gsm: Sketching only. Buckles when wet.
• 200–300gsm: Beginner-friendly. Most student watercolour pads. May still buckle slightly with very wet washes.
• 300gsm (140lb): The standard for serious watercolour. Holds wet washes without buckling much.
• 425–640gsm: Heavyweight. No buckling. Used for large works.

3. Can I use regular paper for watercolour?

You can, but you shouldn't. Regular paper (80gsm photocopy or 110gsm cartridge) buckles, tears, and pigment muddies. The paint won't behave the way watercolour is designed to. Even cheap "watercolour paper" at 200gsm performs vastly better.

4. Which paper is best for beginners?

Cold press, 300gsm. Buy a pad of 12 sheets to start. Don't go for premium 100% cotton papers until you know what you're doing — you'll just waste expensive paper learning the basics.

5. Why does my paper buckle?

Either the paper is too thin (under 300gsm) for the amount of water you're applying, or you didn't stretch it. Solutions: use heavier paper, apply less water in fewer big washes, or stretch the paper before painting.

6. Cotton vs cellulose — does it matter?

• Cellulose (wood pulp): Cheaper. Less colourfast. Pigment dries quickly, "lifts" off the surface. Most student-grade pads.
• Cotton: More expensive. Holds water and pigment longer. Allows for working "wet-into-wet" longer. Industry standard for serious work.

Beginner advice: start cellulose. Move to cotton when you understand watercolour basics.

7. How do I stretch watercolour paper?

Soak the paper in clean water for 5–10 minutes (depending on weight), let it drip briefly, then tape all four edges to a flat board with gummed kraft tape. Let it dry overnight. Painting on stretched paper means no buckling no matter how wet you get it. Most beginners skip stretching by buying 300gsm+ paper, which is fine.

8. Can I use both sides of the paper?

Yes — but the back is usually slightly less absorbent and may have manufacturer marks. For practice yes, for finished work use the front.

9. What's the deal with "deckle edges"?

The fluffy, irregular edge you see on premium watercolour paper. Aesthetic choice — looks handmade. Often kept on display work, trimmed off for works that get framed.

10. How should I store finished watercolour paintings?

Flat, away from direct sunlight, in acid-free folders. Watercolour pigments fade if exposed to UV for long periods. Protect with a clear interleaving paper if stacking.

11. What's the best Mont Marte watercolour pad in NZ?

Mont Marte's A4 watercolour pad (300gsm cold press, 12 sheets) is the most popular at our store — solid quality, beginner-friendly price, NZ-shipped. We also stock larger A3 pads for portfolio work. Browse our paper range.

12. Are there NZ-made watercolour papers?

Some specialty manufacturers exist, but the major imports (Mont Marte AU, Arches, Saunders, Strathmore) dominate NZ shelves. Mont Marte is the most affordable mass-stocked brand for everyday work.

Quick reference

Beginner kit: cold press, 300gsm, A4, 12-sheet pad, cellulose. Cost: under $20. Free NZ shipping over $75 if you're stocking up.

Browse watercolour brushes to pair with your paper.

About the author — Namra Shah is the owner of Handy Mandy Craft Store in West Auckland. We stock Mont Marte across NZ with same-day dispatch before 11am NZT and free shipping over $75. Questions? Email hello@handymandy.co.nz or DM us on Instagram @handy_mandy_stores_.