Bristol generally describes a heavyweight drawing paper. Bristol sheets provide a stiff, strong surface to work on without the need for mounting. The term Bristol derives from the early days of European papermaking when mills would send their finest papers to Bristol, England to be pasted together to form heavyweight drawing sheets. Our 300 Series Bristol paper is a popular choice among many artists because of the quality paper at a very reasonable price. It comes in a number of pad sizes, loose sheets, & large rolls. It is a 'bristol weight' at 100lb. (270gsm), & is perfect for finished art. Look for it in smooth & vellum surfaces. The history of Strathmore Paper Company began on St. Patrick's Day in 1892 when its founder, Horace Moses, opened the Mittineague Paper Mill in West Springfield, MA. Strathmore has been a leading supplier of fine art papers for 130 years & founded with the belief that better paper makes better art. Strathmore provides artists of all levels with one of the widest ranges of quality surfaces for producing beautiful works of art, no matter the choice of medium. Listening to the needs of artists & providing inspiration, education, & innovating new products is at the core of what matters to Strathmore. The Strathmore 300 Series provides art students & intermediate hobbyists a range of better quality paper for quick studies, technical practice & final pieces in art class or at home. Including a wide variety of surface types, artists working with watercolor paint, acrylic paint, oil paint, pastel, colored pencil, charcoal, marker, pen, ink & more have a curated pad customized for their needs. Trusted by art teachers & affordable for parents & students, the 300 Series is the best way to help build confidence in intermediate artists! Recommended age 8+ years