Hot Press Vs. Cold Press: The Great Watercolor Paper Debate

If you're a watercolor artist, chances are you've had to decide between hot press vs. cold press watercolor paper at some point. They both have benefits and drawbacks, so it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you, especially for beginners.

In this blog post, we'll discuss the various characteristics of each type of watercolor paper, so you can decide which one is best for your needs!

Why Do Watercolors Need Special Paper?

Watercolors are a bit different than other painting mediums in that they rely on the absorbency of the paper to create their effect. This means that not just any type of paper will do - you need to use a paper specifically designed for watercolors. 

Hot press and cold press are two common types of watercolor paper, each with unique pros and cons.

What is Hot Press Watercolor Paper?

Hot press watercolor paper is made by pressing the paper through rollers at a high temperature. This process makes the paper extremely smooth, which can be beneficial if you want to create detailed paintings. 

However, this smooth surface can also make it difficult for the paint to adhere properly, which can lead to problems with your painting.

What is Cold Press Watercolor Paper?

Cold press watercolor paper is made by pressing the paper through rollers at a lower temperature. This process leaves the paper with a slightly textured surface, which can be helpful for paints that tend to pool or spread. The texture can also add an interesting effect to your painting.

Hot Press Vs. Cold Press Watercolor Paper

Surface Texture

Hot press watercolor paper has a very smooth surface, but not as smooth as Bristol paper. The lack of texture can help prevent your brush from catching on the paper, making it easier to achieve consistent results with your painting.

On the other hand, cold press watercolor paper has a slightly textured surface, which can help provide some grip for your brush, making it less likely to slip and produce unintended strokes. The textured surface can also add some interesting effects to your painting.

Hot press paper is ideal for creating paintings with fine detail, while cold press paper is better for creating toothed, less structured paintings. Work with the type of paper that best suits your watercolor painting style.

Uses

Cold press watercolor paper is more textured, making it better suited for most mediums, including pencils, pastels, and colored pencils. When it comes to printmaking or sketching, hot press paper is the best choice.

Color Response

Different types of watercolor paper can produce different results. Hot press watercolor paper is more reflective, meaning colors will appear more vibrant. So if you're looking for extremely vivid colors, you should go for this type of paper.

In contrast, cold-pressed watercolor paper diffracts light, reducing the colors' vibrancy. It is the better option if you want slightly paler hues to achieve a more subtle result.

Absorbency

Hot press watercolor paper is less absorbent, so it's not the best choice for adding multiple layers of color. However, its smooth surface can be ideal for painting detailed images.

Cold press watercolor paper is more absorbent, making it a better choice for adding several washes of color. This paper also stays stable when wet, making it less likely to warp or buckle.

Work Time

Hot press watercolor paper stays wet longer, giving you more time to work on your painting. Cold press watercolor paper dries up almost immediately, which is helpful if you want to add more layers quickly.

Production Process

As the name suggests, the main difference is the temperature during the watercolor paper manufacturing process.

Hot press paper is made with high-pressure heated rollers or plates, while cold press paper is made with cold rollers or plates attached with felt. The addition of felt gives the paper a slightly bumpy texture to give your painting a more textured look.

Fiber Used

Watercolor paper uses wood cellulose and cotton pulp fiber. Of these two materials, cotton pulp fiber is more desirable because it is acid-free and has better archival quality. The pH-neutral paper made with cotton pulp fiber is also more expensive and durable.

In contrast, paper made with wood cellulose contains acid that will cause discoloration. Water might also make the paper brittle, affecting the quality of the watercolor painting.

Weight

Both the hot press vs. cold press watercolor paper have varied weights: 190gsm (90lb), 300gsm (140lb), 356gsm (260lb), and 638gsm (300lb). 

But for most watercolor artists, weight is not everything. Thicker paper is more absorbent, which is not always good if you want your color pigments to float for easier correction.

Form and Size

Both watercolor paper comes in various forms, such as sheets, pads, boards, and blocks. But cold press watercolor paper is also available in rolls. 

Please note that even watercolor paper of the same brand but a different form behaves similarly.

Which Paper is Best for Watercolor for Beginners?

If you're a beginner, hot press watercolor paper may be your best choice. The smooth surface will help you achieve consistent results, and the lack of texture can prevent your brush from catching on the paper.

If you're more experienced, cold press watercolor paper may be a better option. The textured surface can add impressive effects to your painting, and the extra grip can help prevent slips and random strokes. Ultimately, the choice is up to you! Try out both types of paper and see which one you prefer.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a smooth surface that allows you to create detailed paintings, hot press watercolor paper may be the right choice. However, if you prefer a slightly textured surface or are working with paints that tend to pool or spread, cold press watercolor paper is ideal.

Use hot press watercolor paper if:

• You want to add details to your work.
• You want paper with a smooth surface.
• You want more time to work with your colors.

Use cold press watercolor paper if:

• You want a more textured paper.
• You want a matte look on your watercolor project.
• You want a less absorbent paper to add more layers of color quickly.