Fabriano

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In brief

Fabriano is a historic Italian maker of art paper. When choosing the right surface, consider the relationship between weight (g/m²), pressing, and format. For watercolor, choose 300 g paper from the Artistico line with a cold-pressed surface, which absorbs water very well. If you prefer detail, choose hot-pressed paper. Our selection includes sketchbooks for every technique to help take your work to a professional level.

FABRIANO – Italian Papermaking Tradition Since 1264

Fabriano is the oldest paper mill in Europe, and probably the oldest in the world. Paper production in the Italian town of Fabriano began as early as 1264. Fabriano was a center of the paper industry in the Middle Ages and had a major influence on papermaking throughout Europe.

History of the Fabriano Brand

Fabriano introduced three revolutionary innovations: the watermark (for authenticating paper), calendering (a smooth surface), and the use of animal glue instead of starch. Today, Fabriano makes paper for artists, designers, printers, and offices around the world.

Fabriano Products at ARTMiE

  • Artistico – 100% cotton watercolor paper
  • Accademia – student paper for drawing and painting
  • Tiziano – pastel paper in 50 colors
  • Sketchbooks – compact pads for sketching

Why Fabriano?

760 years of papermaking. Fabriano Artistico is considered one of the best watercolor papers in the world. It is used by professionals and art schools worldwide.

Paper Watercolors Sketch Pads

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Fabriano Accademia and Fabriano Artistico paper?

Fabriano Accademia is affordable paper designed mainly for sketching and drawing with pencil, charcoal, or pastels. Fabriano Artistico, on the other hand, is professional 100% cotton paper that is ideal for watercolor, gouache, or ink drawing. It withstands frequent erasing and handles large amounts of water very well without buckling.

What do Cold Press, Hot Press, and Rough mean for watercolor paper?

These terms describe the surface texture. Cold Press has a medium-grain surface and is the most versatile. Hot Press is smooth and suitable for detailed illustration or pen drawing. Rough is heavily textured paper that creates pronounced effects when layering paints and is popular for expressive painting with large areas.

Is Fabriano paper also suitable for pens or alcohol markers?

For pens and markers, we recommend specialty papers such as Fabriano Marker. They have a smooth surface and a special barrier layer that prevents ink from bleeding through to the other side of the paper. This keeps the colors on the paper from fading or spreading, and your lines stay sharp and clean even when layering shades repeatedly.

How can I tell if Fabriano paper is suitable for watercolor?

Weight and composition are key. For watercolor, look for paper with a weight of at least 300 g/m² so it does not buckle when it comes into contact with water. Lines such as Fabriano Watercolor or Artistico are ideal because they are specially treated for this purpose. They resist moisture and ensure pigments spread evenly without unwanted spots.

Can I use Fabriano sketchbooks for acrylic painting?

Yes, but choose paper with a higher weight, ideally 300 g/m² or more. Fabriano Mixed Media is a great choice. It is designed to handle a combination of dry techniques and wet media such as acrylic or tempera paint. The paper is sturdy enough and has a fine texture that holds an applied layer of acrylic paint well.