Art Papers
James Cropper papers have long been the choice of leading galleries, designers, conservationists, artists, writers and poets.
Can't find what you're looking for? Our paper experts are ready to help.
Our team of paper technologists and craftspeople have two centuries of paper heritage in lovingly creating uniquely beautiful and tactile speciality papers for modern and traditional applications. Respectfully made in the English Lake District, and, like the works of art they support, our tailor made papers for the world of Art and Design stand the test of time.
Sketching and Drawing
Sketching and drawing papers are intended for use with dry media such as graphite, coloured pencils, charcoal and Conté crayon.
Explore Sketching and DrawingWatercolour
Our acid-free watercolour paper is designed for artists at all levels. The excellent lightly textured surface is suitable for a variety of media.
Explore WatercolourArt Reproduction
Digital fine art papers art papers from James Cropper are available in either a soft textured finish for a fine art feel, or ultra-smooth surface perfect for photographic reproductions.
Explore Art ReproductionArtist Mount Board
James Cropper is one of the only globally supplying mills to offer custom papermaking and paper converting under one roof, going beyond the capabilities of other paper mills.
Explore Artist Mount BoardSpecialist Paper Suppliers
Paper converting can often sit as a separate service to papermaking, with a complicated and lengthy supply chain limiting possibilities for the customer. However, the James Cropper Tailor Made service allows our clients to take their vision to the next level by benefitting from the fact that our papermaking and converting capabilities are all under one roof.
Textures and Patterns
The versatile surface of James Cropper papers can be made to take on forms that are as intriguing to the touch as they are beautiful to the eye.
Why not heighten tactility and add visual impact with one of the textured designs in the James Cropper collection?
Embossing
James Cropper offers a choice of more than 30 different embossing patterns including textile weaves, leathers, rippling effects and intricate geometrics in grid, spot or linear formations to further enhance our premium papers and boards. We can also create a tailor made design for those wanting something truly unique.
To give increased clarity and depth to the textured finish, embossing patterns can be applied using a Hot Press heating method.
Creative Effects
Whether it's bespoke embossing, laminating for effect or varnishing for technical performance that you are looking for, we are driven by the creativity of our clients and embrace every challenge.
We can duplex, film laminate or coat paper to create unique effects and textures quite unlike anything you'd get from print.
- Laminating up to 5 piles in single colour or striking colour combinations
- Papers from 70gsm to 3mm thick
- Decorative film and foil options
- Shimmering pearl effects
- Custom inclusions
Water-based Varnish
Whilst a simple clear gloss or matt water based varnish can enhance
the appearance of the paper, it also improves resistance to scuffing and
finger-marking. A gloss varnish reflects back the light and makes the
base colour appear richer and more vivid. A matt varnish gives the
surface a satin look with a discreet sheen.
Technical Requirements
We go to great lengths to prove your papers lasting integrity.
Starting with the selection of raw materials to ensure the right paper grade and right choice of dyes and pigments are used to support your technical requirements; whether that is optimal colourfastness, rub or bleed resistance, wet or dry strength.
With safety and hygiene still being of high concern for people, particularly for items such as packaging, we can also reduce risk from bacteria or viral contamination with our PaperGard™ silver ion product production.
Adding lamination for rigidity or thickness and textures or coatings during the converting process for decorative effect, anti-counterfeiting measures or to aid scuff resistance; our paper experts can design your product with the end use in mind.
Paper Heavyweight
The mill can produce papers from 70gsm to 450gsm on machine. In addition we have the facility to laminate multiple paper plies to create heavyweight boards up to 3mm thick in single or multi-colour combinations.
Our papers and boards can be produced in reel or short form.
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