Best Charcoal Paper of 2025
* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Charcoal paper is a type of art paper that is widely used by artists for drawing and sketching. It is made by adding small particles of charcoal to the paper pulp during the manufacturing process. The result is a paper that has a slightly rough texture and a dark grey colour. Charcoal paper is known for its ability to hold charcoal and other dry media well, making it a favourite among artists who prefer to work with these materials. It is also popular for its unique aesthetic qualities, which can add depth and character to any artwork.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
#TOP 1
9.8
#TOP 2
9.7
#TOP 3
9.5
Top 10 Charcoal Paper
Strathmore 500 Series Charcoal Paper Pad
The Strathmore Charcoal Paper is crafted from natural white charcoal paper, featuring a traditional laid finish that enhances your artwork. Being acid-free, it ensures your creations will stand the test of time without yellowing. The 64 lb. / 95 gsm weight provides a sturdy surface, making it ideal for a variety of mediums, such as charcoal, oil pastels, and crayons. With a convenient 9"x12" wire-bound format, you can easily flip through your sketches or store them safely in your art collection.
Strathmore 300 Series Charcoal Paper Pad
The Strathmore Charcoal Paper is an excellent choice for artists looking to explore various mediums. Its natural white charcoal paper features a traditional laid finish, making it perfect for charcoal, oil pastels, and crayons. This unique surface allows you to achieve precise shading control, enhancing your artwork's depth and detail. With 32 sheets per pad, each at 9"x12", you have ample space to create and experiment. Plus, being acid-free ensures your creations will last without discolouration over time.
Seawhite A3 Newsprint Pad for Sketching
The Seawhite A3 Pad is an excellent choice for anyone looking to practice their artistic skills. Made in the UK, this quality newsprint pad is designed specifically for sketching, allowing you to create smooth and detailed drawings. It is also suitable for charcoal, which means you can experiment with different mediums to enhance your creativity. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, this pad provides the perfect surface for your ideas to come to life.
US Art Supply Premium Charcoal Paper Pad
The US Art Supply Charcoal Pad features tape binding, making it easy for you to remove sheets without hassle. With its heavy-weight 160gsm paper, this pad is perfect for all your charcoal and pastel media, ensuring your artwork stands out. The surface texture is ideal for various materials, including graphite and coloured pencils, providing you with a versatile drawing experience. You can confidently explore your creativity, knowing this pad supports your artistic needs.
Strathmore 445-112 Artagain Pad, 12"x18"
The Strathmore Artagain Pad offers a wonderful canvas for your creative endeavours. Its soft muted colours are perfect for pastel and charcoal work, allowing you to achieve stunning renderings effortlessly. Made from recycled paper with 30% post-consumer fibre, it is an eco-friendly choice for artists. The artist-quality, acid-free paper ensures that your artwork remains vibrant and undamaged over time. This pad is designed to meet your artistic needs while contributing positively to the environment.
Kores A4 Black Carbon Transfer Paper Pack
Kores Carbon Paper is an excellent choice for transferring designs, patterns, or text onto various surfaces with precision. Each sheet can be used up to 50 times, making it both economical and convenient for your projects. Its A4 size (21x29.7cm) is perfect for standard documents, providing flexibility for both intricate and larger tasks. Crafted from durable materials, this carbon paper ensures long-lasting performance, helping you achieve professional-grade results every time.
Prym Yellow Transfer Paper for Fabric
The Prym Yellow Transfer Paper is designed for the direct transfer of patterns onto fabric, making it ideal for your crafting projects. With its large size of 82 x 57cm, it is great for handling big patterns. You’ll find it easy to follow the markings using a tracing wheel, ensuring precision in your work. Plus, the markings can be washed out, allowing for corrections and adjustments without hassle. This feature adds convenience to your crafting experience, giving you the flexibility to create beautifully detailed fabric designs.
Fabriano Album tecnico6 A3 Smooth Paper
The Fabriano Album tecnico6 Paper is a quality charcoal paper designed for artists and enthusiasts alike. Measuring 29.7 x 42 cm, this smooth paper is perfect for detailed sketches and artwork. With a weight of 240 grams, it provides a sturdy surface that can handle various techniques, ensuring your work remains pristine. The block format, pasted on one side, allows for easy removal of sheets, giving you the convenience to work without worrying about loose pages.
NC A4 Carbon Transfer Paper with Pens
The HOLEMZ Carbon Transfer Set offers high-quality carbon paper made from durable pulp, ensuring it won't easily tear or wrinkle. You can effortlessly erase markings made with pens, markers, or pencils without damaging the paper. The included drawing pen features a comfortable grip and various tip sizes, allowing you to create lines of different thicknesses for your artistic needs. This versatile set is perfect for transferring designs onto a range of surfaces, including wood, canvas, and glass, making it an excellent choice for all your creative projects.
Strathmore 500 Series Charcoal Paper 65lb
The Strathmore Charcoal Paper is a fantastic choice for artists seeking quality. Its unique texture allows you to use various dry art mediums, enhancing your creativity and enabling you to achieve the desired effects in your artwork. Made from high-quality materials, this paper ensures excellent results, providing a reliable surface for your drawing needs. Additionally, it is designed to accommodate international standards, making it suitable for artists around the globe. This versatility makes it an ideal addition to any artist's toolkit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is charcoal paper used for?
When it comes to charcoal paper, what you seek is a mid-weight, slightly textured paper that will not only hold up under thicker drawing pigments but also allow the material itself to truly shine. What's more, charcoal paper is often used for for other dry mediums, due to its slightly more stylized nature.
2. Do you need special paper for charcoal?
A fine toothed paper is better suited to adhere the charcoal and creates less dust, while a rough toothed paper will adhere but can be more difficult to blend. Papers with a shiny or glossy surface aren't suitable because the charcoal won't adhere properly.
3. What type of paper is used for charcoal drawing?
Canson Mi-Teintes, Canson Ingres, Strathmore 500 Series and Fabriano Tiziano are popular choices. It's 60-90 lb. Suitable paper for charcoal drawing and other dry media are typically in this range. Heavier paper can stand up to vigorous mark-making and erasing, which are both hallmarks of charcoal drawing.
During our charcoal paper research, we found 12 charcoal paper products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 7,427 customer reviews through our big data system to write the charcoal paper list. We found that most customers choose charcoal paper with an average price of £13.12.
The charcoal paper are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of charcoal paper, including Strathmore, Seawhite, U.S. Art Supply, Kores, Prym.
Corey Philips is an electrician and lighting expert. He graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2012 with a Bachelor's degree in electrical and electronics engineering. Corey is a specialist contractor in lights. He sells and installs and recommends lights and lamp sheds, and other lights accessories. Aside from that, Corey is vast in installing and maintaining electrical appliances like air conditioners, water heaters, and the likes.