StrathmoreST236-82, 2-Ply Semi-Smooth 500 Series Sequential Art Bristol Paper Sheets, white, 11x17 in

This paper is great for layered graphite. It is smoother than vellum but has enough "tooth" and is not slick like smooth Bristol. Being smoother than Bristol vellum it is easier to get really fine details. I was introduced to it at a botanical drawing class. I don't understand while art stores (even large art stores) will carry other paper in this series but not this paper. Many people do not even know it exists. Give it a try!

I love this stuff. I can't wait to buy more.

This is great paper. that being said it is great plate surface paper?? This does not seem like a semi-smooth surface at all. I have 3 pads of the plate finish here in my art studio ( which i love, but I ALREADY HAVE PLENTY OF PLATE!!!!) i compared the 2 and even tested out the paper via an electronic microscope and it pretty much looks like plate surface.. so my question now is WHY?? it comes from an office supply store and i highly doubt they are switching the paper out. Whats going on here?!?!?!? Ive seen a few other people saying the same thing as me and one person even said they purchased this from 2 seperate online art stores and got the same thing ( same as me too). I dont want to send it back because 1. I can and will use it with out a doubt and 2. They will send a replacement that will be the same exact thing. Iam goiong to contacting strathmore to see what the heck is going on with this paper. ( i bought this paper because Shannon from Strathmore was very kind and sent me out samples of their illustration board upon my request, but this semi-smooth finish was not in there ) iam Kinda let down because i was excited to try out this semi-smooth paper. Its hard to get ahold of.(*** UPDATE***)i emailed Shannon from Strathmore ( the contact i had for sames of their illustration board ) and she got back to me right away when i told/asked her about this semi-smooth Bristol. She said .." yes that is definitely the semi-smooth suface, that i did not recieve a sample of it because it is not a popluar paper. The surface is supposed to be a smooth surface with a slight more tooth than the bristol. It is so slight that it does get mistaken for the bristol plate surface" i did mention the comments and complaints on the paper a d she even asked me to send her links to show the company feed back from artists. It will help improve and develop a product that us artists want. So please leave your comments, thoughts, issues and even likes about the paper.

great product but super-expensive to buy and ship outside the U.S.

The product arrived fine. But the bristol is not semi smooth but is plate finish surface and not suitable for dry brush technique. I will be sending it back.

I can only say that I opened up the supposed semi smooth 500 series paper which isn't cheap and it was shiny, I had some left over from a previous pack, and it's definitely different. Maybe the process changed, but then it should be relabeled and definitely in different packaging. I spend enough time with my nose to the paper to tell the difference and the tools I use are specific and I know how they're supposed to work from the drag to the ability to handle wet mediums etc... I saw another comment with a similar message but it was from years ago so I'm not sure what's going on. That all said If this is actually plate surface paper accidentally packaged in semi-smooth I can't recommend the plate, it seems to be buckling already.

This paper is semi-smooth. It has the perfect amount of tooth for dry brush strokes with ink. It is completely blank with no pre-ruled lines, so you will either need to mark your own or print your own.