Pastel dust is settling across the desk, and a smudged piece of grey paper refuses to hold another layer of pigment. Choosing the right surface changes everything about how color behaves on the page.
Finding the Best Pastel Papers means matching your specific medium to a paper's tooth and weight. Let's look at the top choices available right now.
Key Takeaways
- Look for a heavyweight paper of at least 80 lb to 600 gsm if you plan on layering heavily or using wet techniques.
- Sanded pastel paper provides the ultimate tooth for holding multiple layers of soft pastel without requiring fixative.
- Cellulose drawing pads work wonderfully for dry oil pastels where heavy texture is less critical than smooth blending.
- Check the sheet count and dimensions carefully to ensure the pad matches your typical drawing scale and project frequency.
- Tape-bound pads offer easy page removal, while spiral or block bindings keep your finished artwork secure during transport.
| Best Overall Pad |  |
Strathmore 400 Series Pastel Pad 9×12 | Textured surface grips pigment | Convenient tape bound format | Assorted backing colors | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Superior Grip Surface |  |
Somime Sanded Pastel Paper Pad 11×14 | Heavyweight sanded surface | Six light colors | Exceptional pastel adherence | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Compact Oil Pastel Choice |  |
GR DZPLUS Oil Pastel Pad 5.9×5.9 | Heavyweight drawing paper | Convenient square size | Prevents oil bleed | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Budget Crafting Essential |  |
BAZIC Pastel Multipurpose Paper 8.5×11 | Standard letter size | Generous sheet count | Multipurpose utility | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Generous Studio Canvas |  |
Strathmore 400 Series Pastel Pad 11×14 | Larger working area | Textured surface grips pigment | Secure tape binding | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Eco Friendly Printing |  |
PrintWorks Recycled Pastel Paper 8.5×11 | Made in the USA | Thirty percent recycled content | Five assorted pastel colors | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Reliable Oil Pastels Pad |  |
GR DZPLUS Oil Pastel Paper 9×12 | Heavyweight drawing paper | Thirty usable sheets | Sturdy page construction | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Professional Honeycomb Texture |  |
Canson Mi-Teintes Pastels Paper Pad 9×12 | Classic honeycomb texture | Dual sided paper usability | Assorted color selection | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Miniature Sanded Surface |  |
Somime Sanded Pastel Paper Pad 5×7 | Miniature five by seven size | Heavy sanded grit | Six light colors included | View on Amazon | Read Review |
More Details on Our Top Picks
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Strathmore 400 Series Pastel Pad 9×12
Selecting the right surface for soft pastels can feel like choosing shoes for a marathon, but this tape bound pad makes the decision straightforward. It is best suited for artists who want a reliable, textured surface that grips pigment without wearing down too quickly.
You get twenty-four sheets of assorted colors in a convenient nine by twelve inch size. The paper weight sits at eighty pounds, which provides enough heft for multiple layers of color and blending.
The main drawback is that very heavy wet media might buckle the page. Yet, for dry pastels, charcoal, and sketching pencils, it performs wonderfully.
- Brand:Strathmore
- Type:Pastel Pad
- Size:9 x 12 inches
- Weight:80 lb
- Sheet Count:24 Sheets
- Color:Assorted Colors
- Additional Feature:Tape bound construction
- Additional Feature:Textured drawing surface
- Additional Feature:Portable size for travel
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Somime Sanded Pastel Paper Pad 11×14
Heavy grit paper changes how pastels behave, acting like microscopic sandpaper that locks pigment in place. This eleven by fourteen inch pad is ideal for serious pastel artists who layer heavily and need exceptional tooth.
The paper features a six hundred gsm weight, making it exceptionally sturdy and resistant to warping. You receive twelve sheets spread across six light colors to complement various subject matters.
A notable downside is that this abrasive surface will chew through soft pastel sticks much faster than smooth paper. Still, the ability to build up dozens of layers without saturation makes the trade-off worthwhile.
- Brand:Somime
- Type:Sanded Pastel Paper Pad
- Size:11 x 14 inches
- Weight:600 gsm
- Sheet Count:12 Sheets
- Color:6 Light Colors
- Additional Feature:Sanded texture for layering
- Additional Feature:Large 11×14 format
- Additional Feature:Heavy grammage construction
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GR DZPLUS Oil Pastel Pad 5.9×5.9
Working with oil pastels requires a paper that prevents oil bleed, and this square format pad handles that challenge efficiently. It fits neatly into small bags, making it a great companion for quick studies and on-the-go sketching.
Each page weighs two hundred grams, offering a heavyweight feel that withstands heavy pressure and blending. You get fifty sheets of thick drawing paper in a compact five point nine square inch size.
One minor limitation is that the small dimensions restrict you from creating large, expansive compositions. Even so, the paper holds up remarkably well against smudging and scratching techniques.
- Brand:GR DZPLUS
- Type:Oil Pastel Pad
- Size:5.9 x 5.9 inch
- Weight:123 lb/200g
- Sheet Count:50 Sheets
- Additional Feature:Thick heavyweight paper
- Additional Feature:Compact square dimensions
- Additional Feature:Designed for oil pastels
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BAZIC Pastel Multipurpose Paper 8.5×11
Sometimes you need soft-hued sheets for everyday crafting, flyer printing, or casual sketching rather than fine art masterpieces. This multipurpose ream is best for students, teachers, and DIY enthusiasts looking for versatile colored paper.
You receive one hundred sheets in a standard letter size, ready for printers, copiers, and light drawing tasks. The surface is smooth and uniform, making it compatible with pens and pencils.
The paper is quite thin compared to traditional artist pads, so heavy pastel blending will quickly overwhelm the fibers. However, for light sketching and office use, it delivers reliable functionality.
- Brand:BAZIC Products
- Type:Pastel Multipurpose Paper
- Size:8.5 x 11 in
- Sheet Count:100 Sheets
- Additional Feature:Compatible with standard printers
- Additional Feature:Assorted pastel shades
- Additional Feature:Multipurpose everyday use
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Strathmore 400 Series Pastel Pad 11×14
Stepping up to a larger format allows for more expressive, sweeping arm movements during your creative process. This eleven by fourteen inch pad is tailored for artists who want the trusted Strathmore texture on a more expansive scale.
The eighty pound paper weight supports substantial layering without feeling flimsy in your hands. You get twenty-four sheets of assorted colors secured by a clean tape binding.
Storage and transport become slightly trickier due to the larger dimensions compared to smaller sketchbooks. Yet, the extra working space is a massive benefit for detailed landscapes and portraits.
- Brand:Strathmore
- Type:Pastel Pad
- Size:11 x 14 inches
- Weight:80 lb
- Sheet Count:24 Sheets
- Color:Assorted Colors
- Additional Feature:Tape bound spine
- Additional Feature:Textured drawing sheets
- Additional Feature:Studio friendly dimensions
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PrintWorks Recycled Pastel Paper 8.5×11
Eco-conscious crafters and office workers will appreciate a colored paper that incorporates thirty percent recycled material into its production. It serves as a dependable choice for school assignments, flyers, and paper crafts.
The package includes one hundred sheets in five distinct pastel shades, all manufactured in the United States. Its twenty pound weight makes it feed smoothly through most home and office printers.
Because it is designed primarily as printer paper, it lacks the heavy tooth required for serious fine art pastels. Nevertheless, it remains a practical staple for everyday creative projects.
- Brand:PrintWorks
- Type:Pastel Paper
- Size:8.5" x 11"
- Weight:20 lb/75 gsm
- Sheet Count:100 Sheets
- Color:5 Assorted Pastel Colors
- Additional Feature:SFI certified sourcing
- Additional Feature:Printer compatible weight
- Additional Feature:Recycled content included
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GR DZPLUS Oil Pastel Paper 9×12
Oil pastels demand a sturdy backing that absorbs binders without letting grease bleed through to the other side. This nine by twelve inch pad provides a dependable surface for artists working with heavy mediums and bold techniques.
The two hundred gram paper weight gives each sheet a robust feel that resists curling under thick layers of pigment. You get thirty sheets of heavyweight drawing paper designed to handle scraping and blending.
The paper texture is relatively smooth, which might not offer enough tooth for dry soft pastels. For oil pastels and acrylic markers, though, it functions splendidly.
- Brand:GR DZPLUS
- Type:Oil Pastel Pad
- Size:9×12 in
- Weight:123 lb/200g
- Sheet Count:30 Sheets
- Additional Feature:Heavy grammage stock
- Additional Feature:Resists oil bleed
- Additional Feature:Standard 9×12 proportions
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Canson Mi-Teintes Pastels Paper Pad 9×12
Art history is filled with legends who swore by the unique honeycomb texture of this classic European paper. It is best for experienced pastelists who demand archival quality and a surface that holds an immense amount of pigment.
The pad contains twenty-four sheets of assorted colors in a handy nine by twelve inch layout. One side features a heavy honeycomb texture, while the reverse side is smoother for detailed work.
A potential drawback is that the paper can be sensitive to excessive moisture if you use wet underpaintings carelessly. Even so, the dual-sided versatility makes it a studio favorite.
- Brand:Canson
- Type:Pastels Paper Pad
- Size:9"X12"
- Sheet Count:24 Sheets
- Color:Assorted Colors
- Additional Feature:Iconic Mi-Teintes surface
- Additional Feature:Tape bound pad
- Additional Feature:Professional artist grade
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Somime Sanded Pastel Paper Pad 5×7
Detailed miniature art requires a high friction surface that keeps fine lines from slipping around the page. This compact five by seven inch pad is tailored for artists who enjoy creating small scale portraits and quick studies.
It boasts a heavy six hundred gsm sanded grit that grips pastel dust like velcro. You get six sheets in total, featuring six different light colors to suit delicate subject matters.
The diminutive size means you must work with very precise tools to avoid overcrowding your composition. However, the heavy sanding is unmatched for holding multiple pigment layers in a tiny footprint.
- Brand:Somime
- Type:Sanded Pastel Paper Pad
- Size:5×7
- Weight:600gsm
- Sheet Count:6 Sheets
- Color:6 Light Colors
- Additional Feature:High friction sanded tooth
- Additional Feature:Travel friendly dimensions
- Additional Feature:Thick 600gsm backing