The best calligraphy paper is whatever paper gives you the results you need for your calligraphic artwork. Ultimately, it depends on your project and what look you are going for. If you are just starting out, it may be best to choose a lighter weight paper with a smooth texture and a matte finish. This will be the easiest to write on and will give you the best results. As you become more confident in your calligraphy skills, you can experiment with different papers to find the one that works best for you.
Best Weight Paper for Calligraphy
There are a few factors to consider when choosing the best paper for calligraphy. The weight, texture and finish of the paper will all affect the final result of your calligraphy project. If you are trying Japanese meditation calligraphy you likely need bigger, smoother paper allowing for big sweeping strokes. Conversely small light weight paper may be best for an intricate Celtic calligraphy knot project.
The weight of the paper is important as it will affect how the ink flows. A heavier paper will be less likely to bleed through, but it may be more difficult to write on. A lighter paper will be easier to write on, but it may bleed through more easily. You also need paper that prevents feathering. Feathering is when the ink seeps out from the side of your actual strokes with the pen.
The texture of the paper is also important. A rougher paper will be trickier to write on, but it can give your calligraphy a more rustic look. A smoother paper will be easier to write on, but it may not absorb the ink as well.
The finish of the paper is also important. A glossy finish will make it difficult to write on, but it will give your calligraphy a more polished look. A matte finish will be easier to write on, but it may not give your calligraphy the same polished sheen. So, which paper is the best for calligraphy?

Calligraphy Practice Paper
Many calligraphers choose to practice their design before embarking on lettering the finished product. Even for practice, standard weight paper may prove to be unsatisfactory. If you are using standard weight paper for calligraphy practice even, be sure to put something behind the paper such as a desk blotter or other sheets of paper to prevent the ink from bleeding through the paper and ruining the surface below. This is especially important with heavier inks, or when using a notebook for calligraphy so that one or more pages beneath are not ruined with ink bleed through.
Graph paper for calligraphy works best for laying out your design. The lines and boxes can give you a feel for how large your letters need to be, as well as providing guidance for centering and lettering height. Laying out your calligraphy design before embarking on the finished project is a good way to avoid having to cram letters together to make them fit. In some cases, you may wish to use a different calligraphy font, or script to properly fill the space allotted.
Calligraphy Project Paper
Choosing the best calligraphy paper for your project may be dictated in part by the final result desired. If you are being paid for calligraphy, your client may have already chosen the paper, whether by submitting specifications, or by choosing the actual paper.
The intended home for your artwork may also factor into your decision. A calligraphy piece that is going to be pressed in a frame behind glass need not be drawn on heavy paper. Likewise, calligraphy intended to be mounted onto a stronger backing such as a glass block or other mounting surface. Conversely, a calligraphy project destined for display on an easel, shelf, or wall needs to be drawn onto paper thick enough to not roll or warp over time. For these types of projects, the best calligraphy paper may be cardstock, or at least a heavy watercolor paper.
Homemade paper adds character with its one of a kind look rough texture and deckled edges. Such paper may also offer unique coloring that should be taken into consideration when choosing the type and color of ink for your calligraphy, as well as which calligraphy pen to use.
If you intend to trace out the final work, or will be putting a guide beneath the paper, then you will need to choose a paper that is both finished enough for a final product and see through enough to allow the guidelines below to be visible. Pro tip: If you want to be able to trace or use guides on thicker, opaque paper, consider projecting onto your surface with light.
Where To Get the Best Calligraphy Paper
Although calligraphy may be considered writing, it is also art. As such, you will find that art supply stores and arts and crafts stores will be good sources of your calligraphy supplies including the best calligraphy paper for your project. Obviously, you can get many calligraphy supplies from Amazon, but consider supporting your local art supply store, or even a big box arts and crafts store. Trust me. You’ll be glad they are in business one day when you need a specialty item right away, or some advice on how to counter that dreadful brown that was darker than you thought.
One of my favorite tricks is that most weeks, either Strathmore or Carson brands of notebooks and papers are on sale at Michaels. The sales are often 40 percent off, or buy one get one free. You can choose regular paper, mixed media paper, watercolor paper, smooth paper. The even come in a variety of sizes and bindings. They make great calligraphy practice paper, and in a pinch, offer an option for finished projects.
If the calligraphy notebooks or papers that you desire are not on sale, be sure to check the Michaels app, or even their website. There are frequently coupons such as 40% off any regular prices item, or 20% off your entire purchase. If you plan ahead a bit, you can use these sales and coupons to your advantage, buying single expensive items when you have a 40% off one item coupon, and buying several other items when you can get 20% off everything you buy.
If you need something more artistic, most towns have an art supply store. These are often locally owned, and beloved, so ask around, or check the community boards where artists hang out.
Here in Denver, we are lucky to have Meininger’s. There is one on Broadway just south of downtown Denver next door to another local treasure, The Wizards Chest. You can get inks and papers, and costumes and games, all from one parking spot. There is also a Meininger’s in Colorado Springs, but I have never been in that one.
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