Fabriano 5 is an exceptionally smooth paper made by the Italian company Fabriano. This paper is both surface sized and watermarked, with the Fabriano logo. The Fabriano 5 paper is mould made from 50% cotton and 50% carefully selected raw material. The absence of acid guarantees excellent permanence and resistance to ageing.

This paper is designed for watercolour painting and lithography printing, but can also be used for tempera, charcoal, graphite, wax, and pastel. It is an immensely popular product with watercolour artists and printmakers alike.

Fabriano 5 contains optical brightening agents that lose their effectiveness with high levels of exposure to light. This causes the paper to yellow slightly over time. Although the effects are marginal this is the reason why optical brighteners are not used in more expensive papers, where stability is a priority in quality control.

Fabriano 5 paper has changed permanently because of changes to the machine used to produce it. The surface texture is a bit less smooth and the sizing has changed slightly. The manufacturer does not believe the change is significant, they feel the paper is still within their allowed parameters. But a number of artists have found the change significant enough that it interferes with their work. They are usually artists who make very precise work and need to be able to control fine lines, so most often are botanical artists using watercolour or coloured pencil.

Since we have made customers aware of the changes to this paper please be aware that if you wish to return the paper to us you will need to pay the postage costs for the return.