Fabriano Artistico Hot Press 300gsm

9×12" block (23×30.5cm)

£44.00

1/2

Fabriano Artistico Hot Press 300gsm

Fabriano Artistico is 100% cotton hot press watercolour paper made in Fabriano, Italy — the European premium paper alternative to Arches for pen and wash illustration. A slightly different surface character from Arches, preferred by some botanical illustrators and pen and wash practitioners for dip pen work.

300gsm / 100% Cotton (Vegan-friendly synthetic sizing)

Hot press — smooth with very slight tooth

300gsm / 100% Cotton (Vegan-friendly synthetic sizing)Extreme

Exceptional

Full imperial sheet 56×76cm, 9×12" block (23×30.5cm) — 20 sheets, glued four sides

Single Sheet, Block 20 Sheets

Traditional mould-made luxury finish that delivers a silky, friction-free glide for dip pens and fine-line technical markers, while completely absorbing heavy, dense black washes

Fabriano, Italy — Fabriano (Fedrigoni group)

£44.00

Taxes included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Packaging:

We know art supplies are fragile. All professional pair and boards are shipped in reinforced rigid flat mailers. No tubes, no folds, no crushed corners.

Order Processing Times:

Orders are processed within 1–2 business days - we always aim to dispatch all “in-Stock’ items within 24 hours..

Note: Orders placed after 2 PM GMT on Fridays will be processed the following Monday.

Domestic Shipping (UK):

Standard (2–4 days): £3.50 (Free for The Illustrator & Studio Master tiers).

Priority (1–2 days): £4.50 (Free for Studio Master tier)

International Shipping:

We ship globally. Costs are calculated at checkout based on weight and destination. Please note that customers are responsible for any local customs duties or taxes.

Order Tracking:

You will receive a tracking link via email the moment your tools leave our studio.

30-Day Change of Mind:

We offer a 30-day return window (exceeding the UK legal minimum of 14 days). Items must be unused, in original packaging, and in "as-new" condition.

Faulty Goods:

In the rare event of a defect, you are entitled to a full refund or replacement within 30 days. We will cover all return shipping costs for faulty items.

Defective Nibs:

Occasionally, a pen may arrive dry or a nib maybe scratchy. Contact us within 7 days of purchase with a photo/video of the issue and we will send a replacement immediately.

Exclusions:

Due to the nature of the product, unless faulty we cannot accept returns on opened markers or used paper pads returned.

Digital Goods:

The "Birthday Palette" and other digital downloads are non-refundable once accessed.

How to Start a Return:

Email studio@inkwellartsupplies.com with your order number. We aim to process all refunds to the original payment method within 5–10 business days of receiving the item

"Gravity Happens. We’ve Got You Covered."

We know the heartbreak of a fountain pen hitting the floor. As a member of our Creative Rewards, you don't have to worry about the 'tines.' If the worst happens, just send us a photo and we'll send you a 50% discount for a fresh start.

"The Nib Safety Net" – Terms & Conditions

Eligibility: This benefit is exclusive to active members of the Creative Rewards program at the time of the accident.
Coverage: The 50% discount applies strictly to accidental damage (e.g., dropping the pen) that renders the nib unusable. It does not cover intentional damage, loss of the pen, theft, or normal wear and tear.
The Claim: To activate your discount, you must provide a clear photo of the damaged nib and your original order number to oops@yourstore.com.
Limitations: This discount is valid for a one-time replacement per pen purchased and applies only to the cost of the replacement nib unit. It cannot be combined with other promotional codes or used for full pen replacements.
Availability: We will provide the discount for the exact nib model where stock is available. If the model is discontinued, we will offer a 50% discount on a comparable alternative nib unit.

Italian cotton paper — and how it differs from Arches
Fabriano has been making paper in the town of Fabriano in Le Marche since the 13th century — one of the longest continuous papermaking traditions in Europe. The Artistico is their premium watercolour range: 100% cotton, hot press, 300gsm, archival. By specification it is nearly identical to Arches Hot Press. The difference is surface character: Fabriano Artistico has a marginally more tooth than Arches Hot Press — a very slight texture that some illustrators experience as warmer and more responsive under a dip pen nib, while others experience as marginally rougher than they want for fine-line botanical work. The difference is not dramatic, but it is real and consistently described by practitioners who use both. Both are stocked because the preference is genuinely divided — some practitioners who have used both strongly prefer one, and the only way to know your preference is to use both.

Honest Note:

Honest note: Fabriano Artistico Hot Press underwent a permanent surface change in 2023. The surface is now slightly less smooth than it was — the manufacturer considers the difference within acceptable tolerances, but a number of botanical artists and fine-line illustrators have found it significant enough to affect their work. If your practice depends on absolute smoothness for very fine nib control — fine dip pen detail work, coloured pencil layering, or RHS-standard botanical illustration — we'd recommend trying a single sheet before committing to a block. St Cuthbert's Mill Botanical Ultra Smooth is stocked alongside this paper for exactly that reason: it is a direct alternative with a consistently ultra-smooth surface and is the paper many botanical artists have moved to since the Artistico change. Both are listed in our related products so you can order a sheet of each and decide for yourself.

Who is it For?

Botanical and scientific illustrators who want a cotton paper alternative to Arches and are curious about the Fabriano surface character
Pen and wash illustrators who have used Arches and want to compare the Fabriano surface
Practitioners who want the Italian papermaking provenance specifically

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUSTIONS (FAQ)

How does Fabriano Artistico compare to Arches Hot Press in practical use?

Both are 100% cotton, both are hot press, both are 300gsm, and both handle multiple wet layers without buckling. The difference is surface: Fabriano has very slightly more tooth. For most pen and wash applications this difference is not practically significant. For very fine dip pen linework (Maru nib, 0.1mm fineliner) some practitioners notice the slightly greater tooth as a very subtle resistance. Try an A4 sheet of each with your specific nibs and inks before committing to a block.

What does 'hot press' mean?

Smooth surface — pressed by heated rollers during manufacture to compress the surface fibres. Correct for pen and ink work because smooth surfaces allow fine nibs to glide without catching. Cold press (NOT) and rough have visible surface texture that would catch fine pen nibs.

Is it archival?

Yes — 100% cotton, acid-free, fully archival. Appropriate for botanical illustration, scientific illustration, and any work intended for long-term preservation.

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Fabriano Artistico Hot Press 300gsm

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