10 Best Papers for Copic Markers 2021: Reviews & Guide

Are you disappointed that your Copic markers made a mess on your table or bled through your sketchbook? Though Copic markers are of high quality, they bleed through the paper that’s too thin. Get Life You Desire is experienced in finding high-quality paper for fun writing utensils because we are passionate about planners and related items.

What’s the best paper for your Copic markers? We searched and analyzed Copic-friendly paper based on paper weight, surface smoothness, and reviews from Copic marker users to find the top 10 choices in Copic-friendly paper.

It’s important to have the best paper for Copic markers and not the mediocre because your artwork will turn out as intended and it will save you frustration. We have provided all of the necessary information to help you make a good decision.

10 Best Papers for Copic Markers:

With a cover weight of 80 pounds, Hammermill Premium Color Copy Cover is a heavy paper suitable for Copic markers. Cover paper is thicker than text paper, which helps prevent bleed-through of markers.

The Hammermill Premium Color Copy Cover paper also has an extra smooth surface that’s comfortable to draw on. If you want to print a design for writing or coloring on it with Copic markers, this is the paper for you. It can safely feed through your printer.

Colors display well on this cover paper. You can use it for creating design proposals, color photographs, brochures, flyers, and full-color presentations. Hammermill Premium Color Copy Cover paper is acid-free, so it won’t yellow over time. This paper is a high-quality option if you want your artwork to last a long time.

What Consumers Are Saying

Many customers consider this the best paper for Copic markers. It’s a high-quality paper at a low price. The ink from their Copic markers applies smoothly and stays vibrant.

When using dark colors, you may have to apply another layer to achieve the look you want. Copic marker ink dries fast and is absorbed well into the paper. The downside is you’ll need to apply more layers for quality blending.

Choose the Hammermill Premium Color Copy Cover for an affordable, high-quality option in paper suitable for Copic markers. Ink doesn’t bleed through, and the paper stays bright white for a long time.

As archival paper, the X-Press It Blending Card paper is ideal for projects you intend to last many generations. Archival paper is used invaluable historical and legal publications. It’s also used when people want their personal photographs, text, and drawings to stand the test of time.

X-Press It Blending Card features an ultra-smooth surface and bright white color. Drawing on this paper with Copic markers is a comfortable writing experience. You can also effectively blend markers on this paper and run it through a printer.

What Consumers Are Saying

The X-Press It Blending Card is considered by many people the best paper to use with Copic markers. It’s one of the most popular choices among those who use Copic markers. Consumers praise this paper for superb blendability.

X-Press It Blending Card is a reliable paper for Copic markers. You don’t need to worry about bleed through or problems with quality blending.

If you’re looking for a pad, the Canson XL Bristol Pad has the best paper for alcohol-based markers. Each pad has 25 sheets of 260 gsm paper. The paper is acid-free, so it doesn’t yellow over time.

Copic markers glide smoothly across this high-quality paper. You can scan the pages with ease if you want to transfer your drawings in a digital format. Blending with Copic markers turns out beautifully on the Canson XL Bristol Pad as well.

You can use pens, colored pencils and pencils on this paper with ease. It has a smooth finish that’s comfortable for using Copic markers.

What Consumers Are Saying

According to customers, the Canson XL Bristol Pad is perfect for illustration. They like that their Copic markers are absorbed by the paper just right. It neither absorbs too little nor too much ink.

Choose the Canson XL Bristol Pad if you want a high-quality drawing pad for your Copic markers that can be scanned well. It has one of the heaviest paper weights among marker paper.

The Strathmore 400 Series Toned Gray Sketch Pad has Copic-friendly paper intoned gray. It’s great to use for experimenting with light and dark media techniques.

You won’t have any problems with bleeding because the paperweight is 80 pounds. This sketch pad has a double wire binding along the left side for the convenient turning of the pages and sketching without worrying about bending pages.

For an affordable price, 50 sheets come in the sketch pad, making it a good value. Gel pens, pens, colored pencils, charcoal, sketching sticks, chalk, and graphite also work well on this paper. You can create beautiful work with a mixture of media.

The sheets are micro-perforation or trimmed, so you can remove them cleanly from the sketch pad if needed. They are also true to size. When you remove them from the sketch pad, the size will still be a perfect 9″ x 12″.

What Consumers Are Saying

The Strathmore 400 Series Toned Gray Sketch Pad has high customer ratings. Consumers say that their drawings pop on this gray-toned sketch pad. Layers are easy to apply, and bleeding usually isn’t a problem. If you’re heavy-handed, then you may want to place a scrap sheet of paper underneath.

Customers have no trouble with tearing sheets out along the perforated marks. They also say the sketch pad works well for mixed media.

Not only is the Strathmore 400 Series Toned Gray Sketch Pad an affordable, high-quality option for Copic markers, but it’s also environmentally-friendly too. The sketch pad is made of recycled materials.

This sketchbook is designed to prevent any show-through on the other side of the sheet. Its paperweight is 110 pounds (180 gsm).

Featuring a double wire binding, the sketchbook is durable and will stay together longer than notebooks that only have single binding. The paper is acid-free to prevent yellowing with age.

What Consumers Are Saying

Some customers say this is the best sketchbook for alcohol markers. They haven’t experienced bleed-through or show-through while using Copic markers on this paper.

Other markers like Sharpie and Prismacolor don’t show through the paper either.

You can use a wide variety of media in the Crescent Rendr No Show Thru Paper Wirebound Sketchbook without the common problem of show-through.

One customer said that colors have a gray tone upon initial application but to not worry about it because the markers dry to their true colors.

They have had trouble finding good sketchbooks that don’t show Copic marker ink through the other side, so they view this sketchbook as worth buying.

If you enjoy the 8″ x 8″ format, then the Crescent Rendr No Show Thru Paper Wirebound Sketchbook is a must-have for Copic marker art. The sketchbook’s thick, smooth paper prevents show-through and displays colors true to color once they have dried.

Founded in 1984, Deleter is a trusted manufacturer of comic supplies. Professional cartoonists use this brand.

Deleter Comic Book Paper can be used for creating comics or manga. The paper has a heavy-weight that takes Copic marker and manga inks well. It’s smooth with a fine grain. 40 pages are included in each pack.

What Consumers Are Saying

Some manga and comic book artists find Deleter Comic Book Paper, a Japanese import, the best paper for Copic markers.

Consumers who used Copic markers on this paper said they work well without bleeding through. They also like that the blue photo guide lines don’t show up in the final print.

Deleter Comic Book Paper is excellent paper to choose if you want to create manga or comic book series using Copic markers.

The Arches Watercolor Cold Press Paper Pad features light texture and fine grain. This type of paper reflects light well and allows for detailed strokes. You can achieve realistic drawings on this pad’s paper.

This brand’s paper is cylinder mold-made, resulting in long fibers that improve durability and resiliency. It’s also air-dried for additional strength and durability. You could easily consider it the best paper for Copic sketch markers.

Arches have top-notch quality control. Each sheet of paper is inspected to ensure quality. It’s unlikely you would receive a defective sheet.

The Arches Watercolor Cold Press Paper Pad has a gsm of 300. Inks don’t penetrate the paper. You can erase without the paper linting or tearing as well.

What Consumers Are Saying

The Arches Watercolor Paper Pad has excellent absorbency. Although it’s more expensive than other options on this list, many consumers say it provides value for money. Customers say they are able to effectively add layers and create realistic pieces.

Keep the Arches Watercolor Cold Press Paper Pad on hand when you want to create artwork designed to be displayed, last a long time, be sold or to give as a gift. This high-quality paper delivers professional results. If you’re new to drawing, you may want to practice on other Copic-friendly paper to save money.

The Copic Marker Sketchbook has thin, smooth paper in 7″ x 10″ format with a paperweight of 70 pounds. You can blend colors on this paper, but you’ll want to place a scrap sheet of paper underneath in case it bleeds.

If you use light strokes and don’t heavily layer colors, then ink won’t bleed through on this paper. Other types of markers can be used in the Copic Marker Sketchbook too if you plan on using other types besides Copics.

What Consumers Are Saying

Overall, most customers like the Copic Marker Sketchbook for its smooth paper and 7″ x 10″ size. Those who use it for sketches and other art that don’t involve heavy layers are happy with the sketchbook. It has good paper for Copic markers if you don’t like thick papers.

Some customers were disappointed that they couldn’t heavily layer markers without bleed-through. Customers also warn that markers show through on the other side of the sheet.

If you’re looking for thin, smooth paper that takes Copic markers well, this is the sketchbook for you. Just keep in mind that the lower paper weight means the markers may bleed through if a lot of layers are applied. The sketchbook is most suitable for sketches and light-handed work.

This pad’s paper has a smooth, hard surface that’s comfortable to draw on and allows for high-quality artwork. Several professional artists use the Borden & Riley #234 Paris Paper for Pens Pad.

As an archive-quality paper, it is designed to last a long time without degrading. The Borden & Riley #234 Paris Paper for Pens Pad features a high paperweight to handle all markers and pens. Fountain pen artists have been just as pleased as Copic marker artists with the quality of this paper.

The Borden & Riley #234 Paris Paper for Pens Pad is excellent for calligraphy, manga illustrations, technical illustrations, comics, and other fine line pen and ink artwork. Markers and pens don’t feather, bleed, wick or break up on this quality paper.

What Consumers Are Saying

Customers say Copic markers work well on this paper. They don’t have trouble with the ink bleeding. Customers also like the smoothness of the paper. It barely has any texture. A pet portrait artist who uses Copic markers loves using this paper in their work.

Other artists say this paper is their paper of choice for marker and pen work.

Choose the Borden & Riley #234 Paris Paper for Pens Pad if you enjoy drawing manga, comics or other fine-lined artwork with Copic markers. The archival paper is of great quality and lasts for many years without degradation.

Bee Paper Artist Marker Paper Pads are good sketchbooks for Copics because they have thick paper and an ultra-smooth surface.

The paper also works well with other types of markers, crow quill pens, and pen and ink. Copic markers can be blended on this paper and don’t bleed through.

The Bee Paper Artist Marker Paper Pad doesn’t have as high absorbency as other options, which can be a pro or a con depending on your preferences. Marker ink won’t be used up as quickly, but you lose quality in blendability and heavy layering.

What Consumers Are Saying

Customers who use Copic markers on this sketch pad’s paper say they can add numerous thick layers without problems. Their markers tend to last longer when drawing on this paper compared to other Copic-friendly papers as well.

The paper isn’t overly absorbent, which lets their marker ink last longer. People have found the Bee Paper Artist Marker Paper Pad great for calligraphy, sketching, card making and drawing.

The Bee Paper Artist Marker Paper Pad is a good choice if you need the Copic-friendly paper for calligraphy or sketching. It doesn’t absorb a lot of ink and produces beautiful scans when you want to transfer your artwork onto the computer.

Tips on Choosing the Best Copic Marker Paper

Paper Weight

The most important feature to look at when choosing paper to use with Copic markers is paper weight. In general, paper that has a higher weight is capable of greater ink absorption. Paper that has a low weight is more susceptible to bleeding.

Paper weight is measured in either pounds or GSM. Typical printer paper is around 20 pounds (74 gsm). For good Copic marker paper, you want a paperweight no lower than 70 pounds (104 gsm).

Printer paper is available at 70 lbs and is often referred to as card stock paper because it’s designed for printing postcards, tickets, paperback book covers, and catalog covers. This type of paper is good for Copic marker practice.

Beginner-Friendly

Choose beginner-friendly paper if you’re new to using Copic markers. Paper that allows ink to sit on the surface longer before drying is good for beginners.

If you prefer thin sheets of paper, then be aware you may have a more difficult time finding the right paper for Copic markers. However, you do have a few great options that were included above. Keep in mind that thinner Copic marker paper may take longer to dry than thick paper.

Alcohol-Based Markers Friendly

Check that the paper you buy can handle alcohol-based markers. Copic markers are an alcohol-based marker. For greater assurance, it’s best to check reviews for people who have used Copic markers on that paper. Thin paper isn’t always bad paper. Marker paper tends to be on the thin side yet it has greater density to help prevent bleed-through.

Manga and illustration paper are similar to marker paper but are heavier. Copic markers will interact differently with the paper, so you may have to adjust to it at first. Manga and illustration paper, otherwise, are suitable types of paper for Copic markers.

Personal Needs

Each person has their own style of inking and blending, which will play a role in determining which paper is best for you. Experiment with the top choices in paper for Copics to find your favorite.

Texture matters when you choose paper for art. The rough paper absorbs ink fast, which means you need to work quickly if you need to blend colors. People who do a lot of blending prefer smooth paper because they can achieve better results with more time to blend.

Smoothness

When it comes to using markers, most artists enjoy the feel of smooth texture as well. Ink lay down via markers is more enjoyable on smooth paper. Rough paper tends to create drag. Some even find it a frustrating drawing experience.

The heavy paper is usually good at preventing feathering, a problem that occurs when ink spreads outside of its initial application area. Feathering happens when the paper has become too saturated.

As you try different papers with Copic markers, take notes on how they performed and whether or not you liked them. This helps you remember which paper to avoid and which to buy.

Making the Decision

For beginners, the best paper for Copic markers is Hammermill Premium Color Copy Cover and X-Press It Blending Card. The Hammermill paper is great to practice paper for artists of all experiences because you get a lot in the pack at a low cost. X-Press It Blending Card is expensive, so you may want to save it for important pieces.

The X-Press It Blending Card is suitable for more experienced artists as well. It’s one of the most popular papers used for Copic markers.

Affordable choices in sketchbooks and pads that have high-quality paper for Copic markers are the Strathmore 400 Series Toned Gray Sketch Pad, Canson XL Bristol Pad, and Bee Paper Artist Marker Paper Pad.

Choose the toned gray sketch pad if you deal in realistic art or you want your colors to pop. Its mid-toned color enables you to create a greater impact with contrasting light and dark. As a 400 Series sketchbook from the brand, it’s considered the best quality for advanced artists.

Which paper you choose for your Copic markers depends mostly on your artistic style. There is something for everyone among this top 10 list of the best paper for Copic markers