It is subject to your preference in your end product. Different mediums will definitely bring out different effects. Let’s start with easily accessible items ie; paper!

What does ‘gsm’ mean? – WEIGHT

Paper weight measurement is calculated in grams per square metre gsm or g/m². It ranges from 45gsm paper to 500gsm card. Just to note: GSM does not necessarily co-relate to paper thickness.

What does ‘mic’ mean? – THICKNESS

Mic’ is an abbreviation for ‘microns’ which is a unit of measure used for gauging paper thickness. One micron = 1000th of a millimetre, therefore 250mic = 0.25mm and 1000mic = 1mm. It is dependent on the various types of ‘bulking’ (Bulk is determined by many different variables in the papermaking process, including the amount of refining, the rate at which wet pulp is deposited on the forming wire, the degree of wet pressing, the extent of calendering and supercalendering (Manufacturing processes such as ‘calendaring’ involve paper being passed between high pressure rollers to compress the fibres, resulting in paper that is thinner and denser without affecting its weight per 1m².) as well as the fibrous and non-fibrous content of the pulp itself.) in construction of paper and it also dependent on the type of wood/paper pulp it is made from.

Hence, one brand of 100gsm paper can be thicker (in Microns) than another paper of the same weight (in GSM).

Below is a list of different papers that can be easily found (especially in Singapore!)

1. Newspaper (50gsm)
2. Parchment Paper (70gsm)
3. Yellow Sticker Paper (90gsm)
4. Hawker Paper (80gsm)
5. Rice Paper (45gsm)
6. Calligraphy Card (300gsm)
7. Fabriano Artist Paperback (200gsm)
8. Muji Bamboo Paper (150gsm)
9. Pacon Tagboard Heavyweight (175gsm)
10. RJ Stonehenge Paper (250gsm)
11. Canson Watercolour Paper (300gsm)
12. Derwent Watercolour Paper (300gsm)
13. Bristol Paper (300gsm)
14. Daler Rowney Watercolour Paper (300gsm)

1) Newspaper 50gsm

Although, news are widely available online however, there are news that are still sold in the physical form – newspaper 50 gsm.

It is a little tricky when it comes to washing the prints, BUT it can be done! You just have to be extra careful!

Advantage: You can curate your own art piece with different articles!

Disadvantage: Breaks easily while in water.

Finishing: Unfinished & uncoated

Special Treatment: None

Where can you get from: Any local “mama” store / supermarket / convenience store

2) Parchment Paper 70gsm

Parchment paper is another word for baking paper! Yes! Can be easily found in your kitchen! (My personal favourite!)

Advantage: Parchment paper is highly water-resistant and it also works very well with natural/ artificial lights as it is translucent. (You can see your fingers running down the white part of your artwork.

Disadvantage: You have to apply the working solution multiple times for the parchment paper to absorb.

Finishing: Wax coated.

Special Treatment: None

(Of course different brands and thickness will result in different outcomes.)

Where can you get from: Artfriend / Valuestore / Super markets