Canson

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Canson paper is a high quality, fine art surface known for its hot air balloon watermark.

The company was established in Annonay, France in 1557 by the Montgolfier family (who adapted the paper for the hot air balloon), then later run by the Canson family. Canson is also responsible for Arches watercolor paper, made of 100% cotton fibers.

Cotton paper is durable and holds up to water, rubber cement and wax treatments. The company also makes sketch pads, rolls and sheets of paper with different tooth and weight, for graphite, pastel, charcoal and ink use. Canson also produces speciality sheets and framing board for chalk pastel use under the brand Mi-Teintes. Composed of 60% cotton, the sheets are heavy, rough in texture, and come in 50 colors.

Other products:

  • Glassine, a pH-neutral product placed between sheets of finished artwork for storing
  • Effects, a metallic, iridescent and translucent paper often used for collage
  • Colorline
  • Ingres, for dry techniques
  • Bristol
  • tracing paper
  • graph paper
  • blank cards
  • disposable palettes
  • calligraphy parchment
  • vellum, which stands up well to repeated erasing
  • journals

Canson also produces a line of paintbrushes using a variety of hairs: squirrel, sable, hog and synthetic.

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