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Pastel Papers & Boards

Professional pastel papers & boards sanded, microfiber, velour, textured, and archival—engineered for soft pastels and pastel pencils, with sheets, pads, rolls, and panels optimized for heavy layering, smooth blending, and precision detail.

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Pastel Paper & Boards: Sanded, Velour, Pastelmat & Pastelbord

At Jerry's we specialize in only the finer materials made and developed to offer artists the highest quality of when choosing the right pastel paper and pastel boards. Choosing pastel paper or board is about tooth, texture, and technique. Whether you layer dozens of passes with ultra-soft sticks or prefer velvety portrait blends, this collection brings together the most trusted surfaces—sanded papers, velour sheets, cotton papers, and rigid pastel boards in sizes for studio or plein-air. Tooth is the micro-texture that grabs pigment for example Fine tooth (smooth): crisp lines, delicate blending, fewer heavy layers. Medium tooth: balanced grip for detail + layering. Coarse tooth / sanded: maximum grip for many layers and re-working.

See Also Recommended: Pastels, Mixed Media Paper, Pastel Mediums, Painting Papers & Pads

Jerry's is the Artists' Choice!

As a trusted source for over 50 years, artists choose Jerry’s Artarama for better materials, great savings, curated products, and expert service. We’re committed to providing artists with 100% satisfaction. From gallery pieces to classroom studies, these pastel papers and boards deliver tooth, durability, and luminous color laydown. Browse single sheets, pads, rolls, and rigid boards in a wide range of tints, textures, and grits—all at everyday low prices.

Size & Format Guide

Find the best pastel papers by format: Pads (travel/class): 9×12, 12×16 for studies and practice. Sheets (studio): common art sizes (e.g., ~19×25, 22×30) for finished works. Boards & Panels: Rigid formats (e.g., 8×10 to 18×24+) resist buckling, ideal for plein-air and direct framing. Rolls (Go Big): Large murals or panoramas? Rolls let you set custom dimensions and experiment with scale.

Surface & Technique

Find the best surface by technique: Sanded Papers (heavy layering & reworking) - Popular grits range roughly from coarse ~240–320, medium ~400–500, to fine ~600–800. Ideal for soft pastels, pastel pencils, and mixed techniques like alcohol or solvent underpainting. Pastelmat Style Microfiber Papers (dense hold, low dust) - Best for: animal fur, portraits, refined edges, glazing. Velour Papers (silky blends, portrait glow) - Best for: portraits, animals, atmospheric studies. Cotton/Cellulose Pastel Papers (classic tooth) - Traditional laid or textured sheets offer predictable grip for line work, mid-layer blending, and economical studies. Great for sketching, classrooms, and quick color comps. Rigid Pastel Boards (durability & framing ease) - Archival boards with grit or micro-tooth give you warp-resistant stability, strong erasing, and easy matting. Perfect when you want a ready-to-frame panel feel without mounting and best for gallery pieces, wet underpainting, heavy layering.

Quick Comparison: Paper vs Board vs Sanded

Paper (traditional tooth): budget-friendly, portable; moderate layers. Board: archival stability, strong rework tolerance; easy to frame. Sanded: maximum pigment hold and many layers; loves soft pastels & mixed media.

What’s the best pastel paper for heavy layering with soft pastels?

The best pastel paper for heavy layering with soft pastels is sanded paper or microfiber papers like Pastelmat. Sanded sheets and rigid pastel boards accept many layers, allow gentle lifting, and handle wet underpainting. Pastelmat feels smoother with strong pigment hold and low dust. Choose boards for maximum stability and easy framing.

Sanded paper vs Pastelmat what’s the difference?

Sanded paper has an abrasive tooth that grabs lots of pigment, supports many layers, and tolerates re-working. Pastelmat uses a microfiber surface that feels smoother, creates less dust, and still holds dense color for detail. Pick sanded for aggressive layering and scumbling; choose Pastelmat for refined blends, edges, and portrait or animal work.

Which grit/tooth should I choose for my technique?

Choose grit by technique: coarse (~240–320) for bold coverage and texture, medium (~400–500) for balanced layering and detail, and fine (~600–800) for crisp lines, glazing, and pastel pencils. If you’re unsure, try a sampler across grits to find your sweet spot for subjects and blending preferences.