Creative Mark: Decorative Paper

Better quality decorative is so important for the final outcome of your art! Find at Jerry's, your experts in supplies, only the best artist decorative paper, super versatile tool for artists, beyond just traditional drawing or painting.

Jerry's is the Trusted Choice!

As a trusted source for over 50 years, artists choose Jerry's Artarama for better materials, great sales, curated products and expert service. We’re committed to providing artists with 100% satisfaction and we’ll be happy to help you find the best suited decorative paper you need!

See Also Recommended: Watercolor Paint, Watercolor Paper, Printmaking Paper

Common uses of decorative paper?

Decorative paper offers artists a wide range of creative possibilities across various mediums. In collage and mixed media, artists often layer decorative paper with paint, ink, or other materials to build complex textures and visual depth—perfect for both abstract and narrative compositions, and widely used in art journaling and contemporary fine art. In printmaking and monoprinting, decorative papers serve as rich, textured backgrounds or substrates for block prints, linocuts, or monotypes; papers like washi and mulberry are especially favored for their absorbency and strength. In book arts and handmade books, decorative papers are commonly used as endpapers, covers, or embellishments, adding personality and craftsmanship to sketchbooks, zines, and artist books. They also shine in paper sculpture and origami, where their sturdiness and surface design enhance dimensional forms, especially with marbled or patterned varieties.
Many artists use decorative paper for mounting or background work—offering a visually appealing way to present prints or small artworks, especially in gallery or portfolio settings. Additionally, decorative paper is used to create textural contrast in paintings by incorporating it directly onto the canvas using methods like decoupage or acrylic gel transfers, often enhanced by transparent paint layers or resin to create unique, tactile surfaces.

Pro Tip: Archival Quality Matters: If you're using decorative paper in fine art or gallery work, look for acid-free, archival papers to ensure your artwork doesn’t discolor or degrade over time.