Saunders Waterford — 100% Cotton, Made in Somerset
Saunders Waterford is made at St Cuthbert's Mill in Somerset and is widely regarded as Britain's finest watercolour paper. Like Arches, it's 100% cotton and archival quality — the paper serious British watercolourists reach for when the work matters.
The cotton base gives it the characteristics that make professional watercolour paper worth the investment: exceptional wet strength, reliable lifting and correction behaviour, natural granulation that adds depth to washes, and a surface that can be worked repeatedly without deteriorating. It's acid-free, chlorine-free, and sized with gelatine for excellent water resistance.
The block format means the paper is glued on all four sides — no stretching required, no buckling even with heavy wet work. Paint directly from the block, then release each sheet when dry.
Cold Pressed (NOT) surface: medium texture, versatile for most techniques and skill levels.
FAQ
How does Saunders Waterford compare to Arches? Both are 100% cotton professional papers of the highest quality. Arches has the unique core gelatin sizing that gives it a slightly different feel under the brush — slightly more absorbent and forgiving for lifting. Saunders Waterford is slightly crisper and many British painters prefer its response to wet-on-wet. The best way to choose is to try both — we stock both at Craft and Canvas.
Is Saunders Waterford available in Hot Press or Rough? We stock the Cold Pressed (NOT) block. If you're looking for Hot Press or Rough finish, contact us at hello@craftandcanvas.co.uk and we can check availability or order for you.
