After over a decade of pure coloring joy, my favorite marker paper was discontinued.
Now I’m on the hunt for a new best paper for alcohol markers.
This isn’t just for fun and it’s not for website clicks— between my online classes, monthly challenge groups, and my YouTube channel, I teach thousands of students every year how to color with Copic Markers.
When our paper disappeared, it rattled the foundations of my marker school.
Now I’ve purchased 40+ brands and styles of paper.
Here are my test results for Strathmore Bristol 300 Smooth.
Psssttt… what was that favorite paper? Cryogen Curious Metallic White produced by the Arjo Wiggins Company, 1761-2022. Rest in Peace.
Many thanks to the kind readers and students who’ve tracked down secret stashes of this paper for me. Unfortunately, because I teach, I can not work on discontinued paper. It’s best to look forward, not back.
Having said that, I’ll name my next dog after the first person to find this same paper for sale under another brand.
IS STRATHMORE BRISTOL BOARD GOOD FOR COPIC MARKERS?
In today’s video, art instructor and professional illustrator Amy Shulke tests Strathmore Bristol 300 Smooth to evaluate:
What is Bristol Board?
What is the difference between Bristol Board and Bristol Paper?
Which type of Bristol Board is best with alcohol markers?
How well do Copic Markers blend on Bristol Board?
Is Bristol a good paper for beginners?
Plus, how to test various kinds of paper to select those which work best with illustration markers.
Demonstration: Coloring a realistic, vibrant slice of kiwi fruit.
Amy provides an eye-opening look at popular brands of paper. You'll never look at marker paper the same way again.
Click below to begin video OR watch directly on YouTube here.
STRATHMORE 300 BRISTOL SMOOTH: FACTS & SPECIFICATIONS
WEIGHT: 270 gsm. / 100 lb.
COLOR: Standard white, not artificially brightened but still a clean white
BACK/FRONT: color on either side
BLENDABILITY: Allows easy blending once the user applies enough ink.
FINISH: “Smooth” finish is hot press and lightly polished but retains some tooth texture. Does not feel slick or satiny. Both Smooth and Vellum styles work with alcohol markers but the Smooth finish blends easier.
SIZING: No sizing. If there is a coating, it’s very minor.
LONGEVITY: Acid free and archival
COMPOSITION: Cotton/wood fiber blend
FEATHERING: Minimal feathering
ABSORBENCY: Slightly thirsty but not excessive
DRY TIME: Moderate open time— this paper holds a lot of ink, so the more you layer, the longer it takes to dry
SATURATION POINT: 17 layers of Copic (bleeding-through to the paper below)
MIXED MEDIA: Excellent for mixed media— markers, fine-line pens, colored pencils, and light water-media. Not recommended for heavy watercolor.
AVAILABILITY: This product is easily available on store shelves in the US and Canada; in most art and craft stores but also some big chain retailers.
SIZES: Available in glue-bound pads— 9x12”, 14x17, and 19x24”. Also available in 22x28” sheets and 10 yard rolls.
MADE IN: the United States
HOW TO TEST PAPER FOR ALCOHOL MARKER COMPATIBLITY:
YouTube style marker testing tells you nothing about the paper. On the other hand, it reveals a lot about the person doing the testing.
The most common paper testing videos on YouTube are worthless.
In other videos, someone draws a box, then blends inside the box with a random combination of markers.
Here’s the problem:
They often butt the colors next to each other, then use several markers to scrub the connection points to “see if they blend”.
Then they draw a circle and attempt to shade it into a sphere, often using some of the worst blending combinations I’ve ever seen. The over-ink the paper, scrub, and work the blending zones to death.
Now ask yourself: Who would ever blend like this? And when was the last time you needed to color a big ugly ball?
Paper testing must always mimic real-world coloring situations.
Use the marker colors you use every day.
Test the blending combinations you use most often.
Keep using the same blend for every test so you can compare results!
Color a stamp or shape you’re familiar with.
Your test swatches should match the size and scale you normally color.
If a test-paper makes you work harder or if it looks bad with your NORMAL coloring techniques, don’t struggle to make it work
You’re not supposed to fight with the paper!
TEST RESULTS FOR STRATHMORE BRISTOL 300 SMOOTH
Here’s what I learned about this old school paper.
See the video for more in-depth observations and details.
“Kiwi Slice” by the author, Amy Shulke, 2024. Size: 8x8”. Copic Marker and Prismacolor Colored Pencils on Strathmore Bristol 300 Smooth.
Complete supply list at the bottom of this article.
Strathmore Bristol is self-described as a student grade paper. Normally, I do not use student grade anything but in this case, I don’t notice a big difference between the student level (300) or the artist grades (400, 500).
Strathmore Bristol accepts stamp ink and dries quickly. Please use Copic compatible ink (Amazon link) because no paper can make an incompatible ink safe for use with Copics.
You will need a heavy-duty printer to print digital stamps onto Strathmore Bristol Board. It is thick like poster-board and resists bending. (I print on Bristol with this printer - Amazon link).
Strathmore Bristol is too thick for tracing. Even with 2 ply, not much light comes through with a lightboard.
Strathmore Bristol does not feather or wick color outside the lines.
Alcohol inks are visible on the backside but in months of testing, there has been no bleed-through, nothing even close enough to leave ink on my desk.
Strathmore Bristol tolerates more layers of ink than any other paper I’ve tried. You can really abuse this paper without damaging the look of your coloring.
8. Even with the “Smooth” surface, Strathmore Bristol has more tooth than paper developed for use with markers. You’ll feel more friction as you color but it’s not unpleasant or problematic. This tooth is actually a bonus if you use colored pencil with markers.
9. Bristol is a thirsty paper. I find myself coloring with a heavier pressure on Bristol than I normally use.
10. Blending on Bristol requires a bit more moisture but once you figure it out, the blends come easily and they’re very smooth. Because of the learning curve, Bristol is not suitable for beginners. Save this for after you learn how to blend.
11. Blends often “mellow and mature” as the ink settles into paper designed for markers. Your project often looks smoother but also less bright the next day. This mellowing DOES NOT happen with Strathmore Bristol. Choppy blends on Bristol will not fix themselves overnight.
12. Bristol could be the thickest paper you’ve ever colored on and may not be suitable for card makers or paper crafters who layer hand-colored elements with decorative papers and sentiments.
ARTIST RECOMMENDATIONS:
I do not recommend Strathmore Bristol 300 for beginners or anyone uncertain about good blending technique. Save this paper until after you’ve mastered smooth marker blending techniques.
I recommend Strathmore Bristol 300 Smooth for hobby level stamping and coloring— but remember, it’s THICK!
I highly recommend Strathmore Bristol 300 Smooth for mixed media artists who combine markers with colored pencil.
I highly recommend Strathmore Bristol 300 Smooth for my intermediate to advanced students. I will be teaching on this paper until I find the perfect marker paper.
LEARN MORE ABOUT MARKER PAPER:
Click above to watch video at YouTube
MARKER PAPER MASTER CLASS: Amy explores her gigantic stash of art paper. Which brands are suitable for alcohol markers?
Livestream includes demonstration on how to test marker paper and pros/cons of each paper discussed.
LEARN TO BLEND
ARTISTIC COLORING KITS
WE TEST COPIC INK
COPIC COLOR PALETTES
UNDERPAINT WITH COPIC
SUPPLIES USED IN “KIWI SLICE” ILLUSTRATION:
