Best Loose Drawing Paper of 2025

Corey Phillips Avatar
Corey Phillips
Last Updated: 7 Feb 2025

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Loose drawing paper is a versatile and essential material for artists of all levels. This high-quality paper comes in various weights, textures, and sizes to suit different mediums and techniques, including pencil, charcoal, ink, and pastel. Its acid-free composition ensures that the artwork remains durable and resistant to yellowing or fading over time. Loose drawing paper is perfect for creating sketches, studies, and finished artworks, and its flexibility allows artists to customise their work to their exact specifications. Whether you are a professional or a beginner, loose drawing paper is a must-have for any artist's toolkit.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Clairefontaine A4 White Drawing Sketch Paper Cover #TOP 1
Clairefontaine A4 White Drawing Sketch Paper
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Stephens 80gsm White Paper Roll for Art Cover #TOP 2
Stephens 80gsm White Paper Roll for Art
ftb score rating icon 9.8
100% Eco Recycled A4 Art Paper Pack Cover #TOP 3
100% Eco Recycled A4 Art Paper Pack
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Loose Drawing Paper

#TOP 1

Clairefontaine A4 White Drawing Sketch Paper

21682C
White
Clairefontaine A4 White Drawing Sketch Paper Cover
Clairefontaine - Ref 21682C - White Drawing Sketch Paper (Pack of 100 Sheets) - A4 (21 x 29.7cm) - 90gsm Paper, pH Neutral, Acid Free, Suitable for Sketching & Drawing

The Clairefontaine Sketch Paper is an excellent choice for artists who value quality. With its 90gsm natural white paper, you can draw swiftly without worrying about fading or erasing. The very light grain surface makes it perfect for both quick sketches and detailed work, allowing you to express your creativity effortlessly. Designed for dry techniques such as pencil, charcoal, and chalk, this paper offers versatility for various drawing styles, ensuring your creations remain vibrant over time.

What We Like
High-quality sketching surface
Suitable for various drawing techniques
Acid-free for long-lasting artwork
Practical pack of 100 sheets
#TOP 2

Stephens 80gsm White Paper Roll for Art

RS340058
20m x 30cm
Stephens 80gsm White Paper Roll for Art Cover
Stephens White Paper Roll 80gsm, 20m x 30cm, Ideal for Drawing, Painting, Sketches, Backdrop, Making Posters, Notice Boards and Large Art Work, Great for Use in School, Home and Office, Large Roll

The Stephens White Paper Roll is a versatile 80gsm paper roll measuring 30cm x 20m, perfect for various creative projects. You can use it at home, school, or in the office for drawing, painting, or even gift wrapping, providing a sturdy alternative to tissue paper. This large roll allows you to create beautiful art pieces or simple decorations without running out of paper. Additionally, it serves as a practical table runner for kids, making playtime mess-free as they can freely express their creativity.

What We Like
Versatile for various uses
Durable and strong material
Mess-free for kids' activities
Ideal for art and crafts
#TOP 3

100% Eco Recycled A4 Art Paper Pack

Y121/50
White
100% Eco Recycled A4 Art Paper Pack Cover
100% Eco Recycled Art A4 Cartridge Paper White Great Art Paper 140gsm Pack of 50 Sheets - Suitable for bookmaking, Sketching, Painting, Printing and More

The BCreativetolearn Art Paper is a versatile 140gsm recycled cartridge paper in A4 size, perfect for various artistic projects. Its thick texture is ideal for drawing and sketching, allowing you to create detailed artwork with ease. Additionally, this paper is great for bookmaking and bookbinding, making it a fantastic choice for handmade books. You can use it with a range of mediums, including pens, markers, and paints, ensuring your creativity knows no bounds. Plus, it is compatible with most inkjet and laser printers, perfect for producing custom menus and stationery.

What We Like
High-quality recycled paper
Great for various art mediums
Ideal for bookmaking projects
Compatible with printers
#TOP 4

Ikea MALA 30m Drawing Paper Roll

IKEA-MALA-Drawing Paper-1xRoll
White
Ikea MALA 30m Drawing Paper Roll Cover
Ikea MALA-Drawing Paper-1xRoll Paper roll-30 m, White, 30m

The Ikea MALA Drawing Paper offers a fantastic 30 metres of white drawing paper, perfect for young artists to unleash their creativity. You can easily roll out the paper and start using felt-tip pens or watercolours to create beautiful artwork. This convenient roll means you won't run out of space when inspiration strikes. With a generous length, it's ideal for both individual projects and collaborative art sessions with friends or family, ensuring hours of artistic fun.

What We Like
Generous 30m length
Ideal for young artists
Easy to use with various mediums
Convenient roll format
#TOP 5

Daler-Rowney A4 Heavyweight Drawing Paper Pad

D403040400
Natural White
Daler-Rowney A4 Heavyweight Drawing Paper Pad Cover
Daler-Rowney Smooth 220gsm A4 Heavyweight Drawing Paper Pad, Glued 1 Side, Acid-free, 25 Natural White Sheets, Ideal for Professional Artists & Students

The Daler-Rowney Drawing Paper is perfect for a variety of artistic techniques, including pencil work and light watercolour washes. With its premium quality, natural white 220gsm cartridge paper, it ensures that your creations stand out. Being acid-free, it protects your artwork from deterioration over time, making it suitable for long-lasting projects. Additionally, the synthetic sizing enhances the paper's durability and performance, allowing you to focus on your creativity without worry.

What We Like
High-quality paper
Acid-free for longevity
Suitable for various techniques
Durable and reliable
#TOP 6

100% Eco Recycled A4 Cartridge Paper Pack

Y121/125
White
100% Eco Recycled A4 Cartridge Paper Pack Cover
100% Eco Recycled Art A4 Cartridge Paper White Great Art Paper 140gsm Pack of 125 Sheets - Suitable for bookmaking, Sketching, Painting, Printing and More

The Eco Recycled Art Paper is made from 140gsm thick drawing paper, providing a lovely texture that enhances your artwork. Its A4 size is perfect for various creative projects, from sketching to painting. You’ll appreciate the flat packing, which is ideal for bookmaking and binding, making it suitable for handmade books. Additionally, this recycled paper works well with various mediums, including pens, markers, and paints, and is compatible with most inkjet and laser printers for printing menus and stationery.

What We Like
Thick 140gsm paper
Ideal for bookmaking
Compatible with various mediums
Works with printers
#TOP 7

Eco Recycled A4 Cartridge Paper Pack

Y121
White
Eco Recycled A4 Cartridge Paper Pack Cover
100% Eco Recycled Art A4 Cartridge Paper White Great Art Paper 140gsm Pack of 250 Sheets - Suitable for bookmaking, Sketching, Painting, Printing and More

The BCreativetolearn Cartridge Paper is a versatile choice for artists and crafters alike. With a thickness of 140gsm, this A4 recycled paper features a pleasing texture, making it ideal for various forms of artwork, from sketching to painting. Its flat-packed design is perfect for bookmaking and binding, allowing you to create beautiful handmade books. Additionally, the paper is compatible with pens, markers, and inks, ensuring you can easily produce high-quality menus and stationery. This paper truly enhances your creative projects.

What We Like
Recycled and eco-friendly material
Great for bookmaking and binding
Compatible with various art supplies
Suitable for printing on
140gsm thick for durability
#TOP 8

Artway A2 Acid Free Cartridge Paper Pack

Artway Cartridge A2 170gsm
Off-White
A2 - 100 Sheets
Artway A2 Acid Free Cartridge Paper Pack Cover
Artway Studio - Acid Free A2 Cartridge Paper for Drawing - Ideal for Dry Art Applications - 170gsm - A2 (100 Sheets), Off-White

The Artway A2 Paper is a premium quality cartridge paper pack featuring 100 loose sheets, perfect for artists at any level. With a heavyweight 170gsm, it provides a sturdy surface ideal for various art forms. You can confidently use it with pencils, pens, and markers, as well as soft media like pastels and charcoal. Its acid-free nature ensures that your artwork remains vibrant and free from yellowing over time, making it an excellent choice for long-lasting creations.

What We Like
High-quality artist paper
Heavyweight and durable
Ideal for dry media
Acid-free for longevity
Available in multiple sizes
#TOP 9

Frisk A3 150gsm White Drawing Paper

31150350
White
43 x 30 x 1 cm
Frisk A3 150gsm White Drawing Paper Cover
Frisk 50-Piece 150gsm A3 Drawing Cartridge, Paper, White, 43 x 30 x 1 cm

The Frisk A3 Drawing Paper is a versatile choice for artists. This white cartridge paper is acid-free, ensuring your artwork remains vibrant over time without discolouration. With a weight of 150gsm, it provides an excellent surface that is ideal for pencil, charcoal, and pastels, making it perfect for various drawing techniques. Being UK manufactured, you can trust the quality and craftsmanship of this product, enhancing your creative experience.

What We Like
High-quality white cartridge paper
Acid-free for lasting artwork
Perfect for various mediums
UK manufactured for quality assurance
#TOP 10

Daler-Rowney 200gsm A4 Drawing Paper Pad

D437033400
White
Daler-Rowney 200gsm A4 Drawing Paper Pad Cover
Daler-Rowney Fine Grain Lightly Textured Heavyweight 200gsm A4 Drawing Paper Pad, Glued 1 Side, Acid-free, 30 White Sheets, Ideal for Professional Artists & Students

The Daler-Rowney Drawing Paper Pad is perfect for anyone using dry techniques or light watercolour washes. Made from premium quality, crisp white 200gsm cartridge paper, it delivers excellent results for your artwork. The acid-free feature ensures that your creations remain pristine over time, while the internal synthetic sizing provides a smooth surface for easy application of various media. Whether you are a student or a professional artist, this pad is designed to meet your drawing needs with convenience and quality.

What We Like
High-quality 200gsm paper
Acid-free for longevity
Ideal for dry and watercolour techniques
Suitable for students and professionals
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the four types of drawing paper?

The best mediums include monochromes, pastel, graphite, charcoal, and drawing chalks. There are artists who have used light washes of ink, watercolor, and gouache. It would be best if you kept in mind that this paper is lightweight and cannot accept much water.

2. What are the two types of drawing paper?

There are two different types of surfaces for Bristol paper, smooth (plate), and vellum (has some tooth). Smooth Brisol is ideal for pen and ink, airbrush, and detailed work with colored pencil or graphite. Vellum surface is ideal for graphite, charcoal, airbrush, pastel, crayon, colored pencil, and pen and ink.

3. What is the difference between sketch paper and drawing paper?

In general, the biggest difference between sketch and drawing paper is that Sketch paper is intended for practicing, experimenting, and quick studies, while drawing paper is intended for finished artwork. Sketch paper is often lighter weight, while drawing paper is conversely a bit heavier in weight.

4. What are drawing paper called?

The paper most commonly associated with drawing is cartridge paper. It is so-called because it was used in the making of paper cartridges in the sixteenth century, holding the ammunition of gunpowder and bullets together for loading into hand-held firearms.

Editor's Notes

During our loose drawing paper research, we found 147 loose drawing paper products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 28,000 customer reviews through our big data system to write the loose drawing paper list. We found that most customers choose loose drawing paper with an average price of £6.95.

The loose drawing paper are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of loose drawing paper, including Clairefontaine, Stephens, BCreativetolearn, Ikea, Daler Rowney.

Written by
Corey Phillips Avatar

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.