Term: Paper Texture

Texture is a term used to describe the surface finish of paper. The texture of watercolor paper differs on each side, with one side being smoother than the other.

The texture of watercolor paper also differs based on the way it is manufactured. Hot-pressed paper is even and smooth with almost no tooth. It's smooth surface is ideal for painting fine detail and for even washes of color. Cold-pressed paper has a slightly bumpy texture. The texture allows paint to settle without sliding across the surface. Cold-pressed paper is sometimes referred to as NOT (as in not hot-pressed). Cold-pressed is the most commonly used watercolor paper as it allows for a good amount of detail while also having some texture to it. Rough texture, as the name implies, has an even bumpier surface than cold-pressed paper. The texture is so exaggerated that the paint from washes tends to collect in the indentations in the paper, creating a grainy effect when the paint dries.