The Best Paper for Brush Lettering + Calligraphy. Paper Matters! The best paper for brush pens is super smooth. Here are six of my personal favorite paper options.
The Best Paper for Brush Lettering + Calligraphy
Using the proper paper keeps your brush tips in great condition. Frayed tips are harder to work with and it’s super frustrating to spend money on good brush pens, only to damage the tips.
The best paper for (most) brush pens is ultra smooth, which makes it gentle on the tips of your beloved brush pens and markers.
First up, a little video on this very topic. Plus, some tips for the best supplies to use for this art form.
These are all papers I own, use, and love. I buy mine via Amazon since it tends to be the cheapest option, but most craft and office supply stores should have a number of these options available in store as well.
Many of these paper options are designed specifically for use with brush pens and markers.
Tracing Paper not pictured since I’m out (more is already on the way!)
Ok, let’s talk about the Best Paper for Brush Pens!
Copy Paper
Copy paper is the perfect option for printable lettering worksheets and daily practice. The best paper is HP Premium Choice Laserjet Paper. I buy mine by the ream on Amazon and usually buy two reams at a time since the paper I use most often.
And yes, it’s ok to use Laserjet Paper on an InkJet printer. I do and have no issues with the printer ink bleeding when I go over it with brush pens.
Paper Pad with Guides
Guide marks are really helpful for keeping your lines straight and your lettering a uniform size. The Rhodia Dot Pad is my go-to favorite! The lightly dotted paper is especially great for beginners.
Paper Pad without Guides
Canson Marker Paper is semi-transparent yet is amazingly prone to no bleed through! It’s buttery smooth and a wonderful option for brush pens and blending techniques.
Watercolor Paper
The brand isn’t so important as the fact that Hot Press Watercolor Paper is smoother than Cold Press so opt for hot press when you’re using brush pens!
- If you want to go for the good stuff, Arches Hot Press Watercolor Paper is nearly unbeatable.
- For a more budget-friendly option, I’m a huge fan of these pre-cut 8×10 Hot Press Strathmore Watercolor Papers.
Tracing Paper
Tracing paper is perfect for use with a light pad or to go over your pencil sketches to create a final draft of your work. I use the Strathmore Tracing Paper.
Copic Paper
My Copic collection took me a long time to complete and since they’re not cheap brush pens, so I always keep the Copic X-Press It Paper on hand. It’s also great for coloring and card making projects. And it’s not just for Copics, this paper handles all my markers beautifully!
Did I omit any papers you love?
Let me know in the comments!
Happy lettering!
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this is a great post!!! Have you tried Canson Tracing Paper? I love it!!! SOOOOOOO smooth….. 🙂
Thanks for the suggestion, Kristin! You really can’t go wrong with any Canson paper. 🙂
Hi Dawn Nicole,
What black paper brands and types would you recommend for brush lettering? The black construction papers I’ve been using cause my brushes to fray easily ?
– Sarah
Hi Sarah!
This is the one I’ve been ordering: https://www.amazon.com/JAM-Paper-Matte-Cardstock-Smooth/dp/B01M0LLEZV/ref=sr_1_4?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1515140279&sr=1-4&keywords=smooth+black+cardstock
This one is really smooth and has great reviews so I’m going to try that next just to compare: https://www.thepapermillstore.com/colormates-smooth-silky-black-card-stock-12-x-12-in-80-lb-cover-smooth-25-per-package.html.
I also know Teela at Every-Tuesday uses the AstroBrights black for a lot of lettering work!
Hope this helps!
Dawn
Hi! What are your thoughts on the Clairefontaine paper? I hear they’re really good, have you tried them? 🙂
Hi Shilpa! I haven’t heard of that brand, sorry! It’s on my list to check out soon. 🙂
Do you know if the HP Premium Laser 24lb paper would work as well? I’m looking for something a little lighter for making notebooks for brush lettering practice that won’t damage my pens.
Hi Liz! I can’t say for sure as I’ve only used the Premium Choice Last Jet and as far as I can tell, that only comes in a 32lb. I would think it’s thin enough for making notebooks though. My concern with the 24lb would be bleed-through but you’d have to test it out to know for sure.
Does the dot paper bleed when using the brush pens?
Nope, it does not bleed! 🙂
Awesome! Thank you so much!
I am so excited to try it out! 😀
Hi there! I’m wondering if you can recommend a brand of blank notecards that would work well for brush lettering. I don’t want to use just any card stock for fear of ruining my brushes! Thank you in advance!
Hi Stacey! I usually just cut my own using one of the above papers. The Copic X-press it paper is thicker than the rest.
Thank you SO much! 🙂
Hi!! Thank you so much for the suggestions on paper. I like the dot notebook but the dots are a little too close for my giant printing. I feel like this is a college rule dot note book. Do you know of a wide rule dot notebook??
Hi Katie! As far as I can tell, the dot pads only come in 5mm. If you want a wider rule, you could skip dots to make it work for you, or go for a wide ruled graph paper instead. 🙂
Hi!
I started my brush lettering journey on your page about a year ago and I don’t think I could have started in a better place!
I have two questions that you can probably help me find the answers to:
First, Are you familiar with any colored paper won’t damage my markers? I usually stick with white, and plan to try the black paper you mentioned in a comment above, but I’d love to find alternative options!
2. What are your thoughts on using brush markers on kraft paper. I just hand addressed 200 save the dates for my upcoming wedding with an aquash brush and Dr. Martin’s bleed proof white ink. I would have been able to finish them much sooner if I wasn’t so afraid of ruining my markers!
I love the look of kraft paper, and have some by Recollections that feels very smooth, but I don’t want to risk ruining my brushes!
I would SO appreciate your opinion and expertise!
Thanks!
Hi Julia!
I know a lot of my fellow lettering artists use Astrobrights colored paper. Tombow Fudensukes would be okay to use on that for sure as would Karin BrushmarkerPROs. Dual Tips might fray but they probably wouldn’t look great on colored paper anyhow, other than black.
For Kraft paper, you want to stick to using brush markers that have a nylon tip versus a felt bases tip, as the nylon can handle rougher paper without fraying. Again, the Tombow Fudenosukes and Karin Markers would be great options.
Congrats on your upcoming wedding! Your hand must need a break after doing 200 Save the Dates!
Dawn
Thank you so much! All of that is so helpful!
Can you use brush pens (tombow dual brush pens, pentel touch, and artline stix) on canson sketch paper? I loved this article!
Hi Brynn! Check out this list from Tombow. Several Canson papers are listed (but not the Sketch paper). https://www.tombowusa.com/media/wysiwyg/Tombow/pdfs/Best_Paper_for_Dual_Brush_Pens.pdf
I store the Dual Tips I have doubles of and/or frayed ones separately to use with papers that aren’t as smooth, so that’s always an option as well.
thank you so much!