Painting Surface
Paper
Painting paper? Start here to compare common paint options and find an approach that fits your project.
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Paper paint compatibility
Choose paper that is sturdy enough for the paint you are using, and prepare or seal it when the paint system requires it.
| Paint | Compatibility | Preparation | Primer or ground | Finish | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic paint | Good | Use sufficiently heavy paper to reduce buckling. | Optional gesso. | Usually optional. | — |
| Oil paint | Good with preparation | Use sturdy watercolor, mixed-media, or suitable printmaking paper and seal the painting side first. | PVA size followed by a suitable ground. | Optional final varnish. | — |