Start with an everyday sheet
For a quick crayon or pencil activity, ordinary uncoated printer paper is a practical first try. There is no need to buy an art pad before you know what you want to change.
If your current paper feels flimsy, try a small pack of heavier printer paper within your machine’s supported range. Around 90–120 gsm can be a useful starting point for a firmer everyday sheet; it is a suggestion to test, not a promise of marker resistance.
Choose the sheet size your printer supports, such as A4 or US Letter. A matte, uncoated surface is a straightforward choice for dry coloring tools. Save glossy photo stock for projects that specifically call for it.
Read the paper label
Weight, thickness and texture tell you different things. Read them together rather than choosing the largest number on the pack.
Gsm: compare weight per area
Gsm means grams per square metre. It helps compare paper weights across brands, but it does not measure thickness directly. Papers with the same gsm can feel different.
Pounds: keep the paper category in mind
US pound ratings depend on the paper’s basis size and category. A number on cover stock is not directly comparable to the same number on bond or text paper. Use the manufacturer’s gsm figure when available.
Surface: smooth or gently textured
A little texture, sometimes called tooth, gives pencils something to grip. A smoother sheet can suit fine pen marks and marker strokes. Very rough paper may interrupt small details.
Compatibility: look beyond “art paper”
Check whether the paper is intended for inkjet or laser printing, and whether its thickness and finish suit your printer. A pad made for drawing is not automatically printer-compatible.
Match paper to your tools
Use these as starting points. The same paper can behave differently with another brand of pen or a heavier hand.
| Your tools | A surface to try |
|---|---|
| Crayons & colored pencils | Uncoated printer paper for simple coloring. Try a lightly textured, printer-compatible drawing sheet if you want more pencil layers. |
| Water-based felt-tip pens | A printer-compatible sheet intended for markers or mixed media. Try a small area with the amount of layering you normally use. |
| Alcohol markers | A smooth marker surface that is also approved for your printer. Keep a protective sheet underneath; weight alone does not guarantee no bleed-through. |
| Gel pens & fineliners | A smooth, matte sheet. Test line edges and drying time before resting your hand on the colored area. |
| Watercolor pencils used with water | Paper designed for wet media, provided it is compatible with your printer. If it cannot be printed, trace or transfer the outline from an ordinary print. |
Check your printer first
Your printer’s manual decides what can go through the machine. There is no single safe cardstock weight for every home printer.
- Check supported size, weight, thickness and media type for the tray you will use. An ordinary tray and a manual feed may have different limits.
- Use the recommended feed path and load the paper as instructed. Do not assume a rear tray exists or that it accepts any thick sheet.
- Select the paper type that matches the loaded stock. A Heavy Paper setting does not make an unsupported sheet safe to feed.
- Print a single-sided sample. Let the print dry as needed, and check that the outline stays clean when you add your chosen colors.
If the sheet jams, curls or shows rubbing, stop and return to supported paper. Check the printer instructions before another attempt.
Try a small coloring test
Before using a whole pack, print one drawing and use a small corner or spare area as a test strip.
- Use light strokes first, then add a second layer as you would on the finished picture.
- Check whether pencil layers hold, pen edges feather, or the printed outline smudges.
- Turn the sheet over to check for bleed-through, and look at the protective sheet underneath.
- Let it dry, then check for curling or buckling. Keep the sample and note which tools you used.
For a classroom, test with the actual supplies children will use. Print the rest only when the sample works for the activity.
Common paper questions
Will thicker paper stop markers bleeding through?
Not necessarily. The paper’s surface and how it absorbs ink matter, as do the marker and number of layers. Use a protective sheet and test rather than relying on gsm alone.
Can I put cardstock or watercolor paper in any printer?
No. Check the exact printer and feed tray specifications, plus the paper manufacturer’s printing guidance. Some art papers are too thick or have unsuitable finishes.
Why does my pencil look pale on very smooth paper?
A smooth surface may offer less grip for repeated pencil layers. Try gentle passes or a slightly more textured sheet that your printer supports, rather than pressing harder.
What should I use for lots of classroom copies?
Begin with supported everyday paper and the planned crayons or pencils. Test one copy first. Reserve specialty sheets for an activity that needs them, and print single-sided if colors may show through.
More about paper
These manufacturer guides explain paper surfaces, weights and printer media settings. Always use the manual for your own printer.
Paper picked? Get ready to print.
Our printing guide walks you through saving a drawing, fitting it to the sheet and printing from your device.
Read the printing guide