FAQ – Some people find the measurements of watercolour paper a bit confusing. Here is a short summary that might help.
- Loose sheets of watercolour paper often come in Imperial sizes (these use inch measurements).
- Pads and blocks of watercolour paper usually come in European (ISO) ‘A’ sizes (these use metric measurements).
- Imported American pads usually come in inch sizes but are neither Imperial nor A sizes.
Imperial sizes
A sheet of Imperial Paper is also called Full Imperial.
- Full Imperial is 30×22 inches (approximately 76x56cm)
- Half Imperial is 15×22 inches (approximately 56x38cm)
- Quarter Imperial is 15×11 inches (approximately 38x28cm)
We offer a free cutting service at Jackson’s for our watercolour papers. We can cut Imperial sheets in half or quarters on request. You can choose this in your shopping basket on the Jackson’s.com website or when ordering by phone. Paper stretchers are often made to accommodate Full, Half or Quarter Imperial sized paper.
European ‘A’ Sizes
A Full Imperial sheet of paper and an A1 sheet are the two largest standard sizes. Full Imperial is a bit smaller than A1. (A0 exists but is usually special ordered.)
Like the half and quarter Imperial sizes the A sizes are based on the next size down always being half of the larger size above it. So 2 pieces of A2 paper will fit side by side inside one piece of A1 paper.
- A1 is 84.1 x 59.4cm (approximately 33×22 inches)
- A2 is 59.4 x 42cm (approximately 22×16 inches)
- A3 is 42 x 29.7cm (approximately 16×12 inches) (the size of the Jackson’s catalogue open)
- A4 is 29.7 x 21cm (approximately 12×8 inches) (the size of the Jackson’s catalogue closed)
For more information about art papers see the Papers entry in the art glossary on this blog.
Jacksons Two Rivers Handmade Watercolour Paper
More Watercolour Blog Articles
- Molotow Masking Fluid Markers – Easy to Apply and No Paper Tearing
- Travel Brushes for Painting On the Go
- Choosing Colours to Fill Your Watercolour Box
- Stretching Watercolour Paper for a Better Painting Experience
- ShinHan Pass Hybrid Colours
Watercolour Painting Materials at Jackson’s Art
Click on the underlined link to go to the current offers on Watercolour Papers on the Jackson’s Art Supplies website.
Click on the underlined link to go to the current offers on Watercolour Paints on the Jackson’s Art Supplies website.
Click on the underlined link to go to the current offers on Watercolour Brushes on the Jackson’s Art Supplies website.
Click on the underlined link to go to the Watercolour Painting Department on the Jackson’s Art Supplies website.
Postage on orders shipped standard to mainland UK addresses is free for orders of £39.
7 Comments
Useful post – I’m adding it to Paper and Non-Canvas Supports – Resources for Artists
Hi Katherine.
Glad you found it helpful.
I have added to it a link to our glossary definitions of Art Papers, as well.
[…] Watercolour Paper Sizes – Jackson's Art Blog – Here is a little summary that might help.Loose sheets of watercolour paper often come in Imperial sizes. Art Technique Watercolour Paper Sizes. drawing espacio. […]
Very useful and concise explanation, thank you. I’d never
really got to grips with imperial sizes!
Glad you found it helpful Jenny!
Thank you! I’ve carefully bookmarked your article so I can
refer to it when ordering.
Also it’s useful to know that Jackson’s will cut the full sheets
for me. That’s something I struggle to do here on my kitchen
table. I just can’t seem to get the edges straight. I’ll ask you
to do it next time!
I heard about these measure system
just now while in reading a book.
Thank you for your description.