Canson XL Mixed Media Paper
Canson - XL Mixed Media Paper
(image from Amazon)
Quick Specs 🏷️
Type: Mixed Media Paper (XL Series)
Weight: 98 lb (160 gsm) | Sheets/Pad Size: 100 sheets, 12" x 18" (30.5cm x 45.7cm)
Texture: Fine texture / Slight tooth (heavy sizing for wet media)
Color: White | Finish: Matte
Purchase Info: Amazon | Purchased: June 2024 | Price: $22.49 USD
Official Product Highlights
- Heavyweight 160gsm (98 lb) paper - durable enough for both wet and dry media without warping or bleeding through.
- Acid-free and archival quality - keeps artwork safe from fading and damage over time.
- Heavy sizing - the paper is internally sized to resist liquid absorption, preventing color bleeding and allowing for layered techniques.
- Fine tooth texture - provides enough grip for dry media (pencil, pastel, charcoal) while remaining smooth enough for pens and markers.
- Versatile media compatibility - works with colored pencils, solvent-based markers, charcoal, brush pens, ink pens, watercolor paints, pastels, fineliners, gouache, and acrylics.
- Sized for architectural sketches - the 12" x 18" format is ideal for larger studies, concept art, and illustrations.
- Made in China - Canson quality at an accessible price point.
Additional Specs
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Surface Texture | Fine texture with slight tooth (not as rough as cold press watercolor paper) |
| Sizing | Heavy internal sizing (resists bleeding, good for wet media) |
| Media Compatibility | Pencil, charcoal, pastel, marker, pen, watercolor, gouache, acrylic, ink |
| Acid-Free | Yes |
| Lignin-Free | Not specified |
| Sheet Format | Loose sheets (100 sheets per pack) |
| Opacity | Good - minimal show-through |
| Erasability | Good for pencil and light media; heavy sizing may affect eraser performance slightly |
Purchased as Sketchbooks 📓
The sketchbook below uses the same Canson XL 160gsm mixed media paper described above (note: the paper pad is 98 lb/160gsm, while the sketchbook is 98 lb - confirmed matching weight).
Canson XL Mix Media Pad - 7" x 10"
- Format: Side wire-bound pad, 60 sheets (not specified, typical for XL series)
- Paper: Same 98 lb (160gsm) mixed media paper with fine texture and heavy sizing
- Link: Amazon
- Purchased: March 2026 | Price: $15.30
- My Thoughts: [Your notes here]
Medium Specs
Paper Texture
Overall Strengths & Weaknesses
Rating: 4.6 ★★★★★
What works well
- Handles Sakura Pigma Microns well.
- Paper is a good texture to handle doodles and dry media.
- Paper is a bright white without looking blue or gray.
What doesn't
- Paper is thin so will warp with wet media.
- Only comes in spiral bound and the smallest is in A5.
Tips
- I tend to use only one side of the page for art stuff and then the other side for notes.
Specifics
| Medium | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fineliners | 4.7 ★★★★★ | Handles Sakura Pigma Microns very well. Good for my Confetti doodles. |
| India Ink | 3.9 ★★★☆☆ | Blooms nice but warps a ton. |
| Acrylic Ink | 3.9 ★★★☆☆ | Blooms nice but warps a ton. |
| Colored Pencils | 4.8 ★★★★★ | Love the tooth and blending. |
| Watercolor | 3.9 ★★★★☆ | Wets fine, blooms fine, but puddles because it warps badly. |
| Acrylic Markers | 4.2 ★★★★☆ | Handles fine, especially with initial layer allowed to dry. |
| Crayon | 4.7 ★★★★★ | Texture comes out really nice. |
| Gesso | 4.8 ★★★★★ | Went on fine, warped, but flattened out as it dried. |