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Arches Aquarelle Watercolor Pad, Hot Pressed, 140lb/300gsm, 12 Sheet, 9x12 inch, Arches Watercolor Paper 100% Cotton
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Arches

Arches Hot Press Watercolor Pad

A pad of 12 hot pressed watercolor sheets, 9 x 12 inches and 140 lb (300 gsm), made from 100% cotton with gelatin sizing.

Best for: Watercolor painters who want smooth, hot pressed 100% cotton paper

Size
9 x 12 in
Weight
140 lb (300gsm)
Sheets
12
Surface
Hot pressed, 100% cotton

Buy it if

  • You want 100% cotton paper for finished pieces
  • You paint fine detail and want a smooth surface
  • You want pH neutral paper with no optical brightening agents

Skip it if

  • You want lots of sheets for practice. The Canson XL pad has 30 sheets and the Fabriano Studio pad has 50
  • You want a textured surface. This is hot press; the Canson XL pad is cold press

What the Arches Hot Press Watercolor Pad is

The Arches Hot Press Watercolor Pad holds 12 sheets of 9 x 12 inch, 140 lb (300 gsm) watercolor paper made from 100% cotton. Hot pressed paper has a smooth surface, the texture most often chosen for fine detail.

Arches makes the paper on a cylinder mold that spreads the long cotton fibers evenly, which it says gives exceptional resistance to tearing and linting and lets the sheet slacken uniformly when wet. Its gelatin sizing keeps paint from penetrating the paper and, Arches says, increases the luster and transparency of colors. Arches has made paper since 1492.

Key features, explained

Based on the manufacturer's Amazon listing.

  • 100% cotton

    Arches uses long cotton fibers in a natural white sheet.

  • Hot pressed surface

    A smooth surface, generally chosen for detail work and fine lines.

  • Cylinder mold made

    Arches says the process spreads fibers evenly for exceptional resistance to tearing and linting, and uniform behavior when wet.

  • Gelatin sizing

    The sizing keeps paint from sinking into the paper, which Arches says increases the luster and transparency of colors.

  • pH neutral, no optical brighteners

    The natural white sheets are pH neutral with no optical brightening agents.

  • Edge-glued pad

    Each sheet removes easily from the glued edge.

Arches Hot Press Watercolor Pad specifications

Size
9 x 12 in
Sheets
12
Weight
140 lb / 300 gsm
Surface
Hot pressed
Fiber
100% cotton
Sizing
Gelatin
Color
Natural white
pH
Neutral, no optical brighteners
Binding
Edge glued
Model
A1795097

Who the Arches Hot Press Watercolor Pad suits

  • Detailed painters. A smooth hot pressed cotton surface for fine lines and precise edges.
  • Artists making finished work. Arches says it makes its paper for your finest works so each piece lasts, and the sheets are pH neutral with no brighteners.
  • Painters who work wet. Arches says the sheet slackens uniformly when wet for control, and resists tearing and linting.

Look elsewhere if: you want a smooth surface for practice. The Fabriano Studio Hot Press Pad has 50 hot press sheets.

Arches Hot Press Watercolor Pad vs similar picks

  • Arches Hot Press Watercolor Pad

    Sheets
    12
    Weight
    140 lb (300gsm)
    Surface
    Hot pressed
    Fiber
    100% cotton

    Choose it for: Finished work on cotton

  • Fabriano Studio Hot Press Pad

    Sheets
    50
    Weight
    140 lb
    Surface
    Hot press
    Fiber
    Not listed

    Choose it for: Smooth practice paper

  • Canson XL Watercolor Pad

    Sheets
    30
    Weight
    140 lb
    Surface
    Cold press
    Fiber
    Not listed

    Choose it for: Cold press practice with 30 sheets

Before you buy

  • Hot press is smooth. Choose cold press if you want texture in your washes.
  • Arches paper also comes in cold press and rough textures and in 13 sizes, so check you are ordering hot press.
  • There are 12 sheets per pad, so you may want a larger pad such as the 30 sheet Canson XL for practice.
  • The listing states no warranty.

Frequently asked questions about the Arches Hot Press Watercolor Pad

What is the difference between cold press and hot press watercolor paper?
Hot press is smooth and is generally chosen for fine detail. Cold press has more texture.
Why is Arches watercolor paper so popular?
The listing points to 100% cotton fibers, a cylinder mold process that resists tearing and linting, gelatin sizing that keeps paint from penetrating the paper, and papermaking since 1492.
Is Arches hot press paper acid free?
The listing says all Arches watercolor pads are pH neutral, with no optical brightening agents.
How many sheets are in the Arches hot press pad?
12 sheets of 9 x 12 inch paper, each removed from an edge-glued pad.
What weight is the Arches hot press pad?
140 lb, which is 300 gsm.

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