Watercolor paper comes in a number of textures and weights. It is usually more expensive than a lot of craft papers, but it does not have any surface coating and is usually somewhat stiff. It resists rippling when wet and usually resumes a flat state when it dries. When torn, it usually provides a nice deckled edge, which could be emphasized in paper crafts.
Watercolor paper is usually made acid-free in order to resist the effects of time. Because of the variety of watercolor papers available from art supply houses, record your preferences so you can get the same paper when you reorder. You will need to know the manufacturer as well as the name of the paper (as used by the manufacturer), weight, color and surface type.
Watercolor paper is expensive, but using it will ensure that your project is as safe from the ravages of time as is possible.
Before investing in watercolor paper, do some research about manufacturers and the kinds of papers they offer. Consult a local art supply store (like Asel Art Supplies) for help in determining what paper(s) will do what you want. National craft supply stores (Hobby Lobby, Micheal’s) will also have pads of watercolor paper in reasonable sizes (and prices) for you to experiment with.
One on-line source of watercolor paper is www.dickblick.com. I am sure there are others, but that is usually where I start when looking for art supplies or information about what is available.
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