Coloring Guide
Choosing the Right Paper for Coloring Pages
Paper weight, finish, and brand — translated from printer-industry jargon into practical advice.
Most parents and teachers default to whatever copy paper is already in the printer tray. That works for crayons. It fails for everything else. Paper choice is the single biggest lever you can pull between a coloring page that feels amateur and one that feels like it came from a store-bought book.
Paper weight, decoded
"gsm" means grams per square metre, and it is the most honest number on any paper package. Higher gsm means thicker, stiffer, more opaque paper.
Most coloring page disappointments trace back to using 70–80gsm copy paper, which is designed for one-sided text printing and not for any kind of coloring beyond light pencil.
- 70gsm — Bulk copy paper. Acceptable for colored pencils only. Markers will bleed through.
- 90gsm — The sweet spot for everyday crayon and pencil coloring at home.
- 120gsm — Noticeably thicker. Handles light marker use on one side without bleed-through.
- 180–250gsm — Cardstock territory. Required for wet media, keepsakes, and anything that will be framed.
Finish: matte versus smooth
Paper finish affects how colour lays down more than most people realise. A "smooth" or "silk" finish resists crayon pigment — strokes look patchy unless you press hard. A "matte" or "uncoated" finish grabs pigment and produces rich, even fills with light pressure.
For coloring pages, always choose matte or uncoated. Glossy photo paper looks premium but is the worst possible surface for coloring.
Buying guidance without specific brands
Because paper brands vary wildly by region, here is a brand-agnostic shopping rule: pick up a pack, read the weight, feel the surface, and check opacity by holding a sheet up to a window. If you can clearly read text on the other side, it will bleed through when a marker touches it.
For schools and teachers printing in bulk, 90gsm "premium multipurpose" paper is usually the best cost-to-quality ratio. For parents printing occasionally, one ream of 120gsm will last a year and dramatically improve every coloring page that comes off your printer.
Wrapping Up
Paper is the part of the coloring page most parents overlook and the part children feel most. Upgrade once and the upgrade compounds for every page you will ever print. The paper in your drawer is still the same one the kids will see tomorrow — make it a good one.
Related Guides
Best Photos to Turn Into Coloring Pages
A parent-friendly guide to picking pictures that become clear, fun outlines.
How to Print Coloring Pages Without Ink Bleed
Printer settings, paper choices, and the three adjustments most parents skip.
How Coloring Supports Child Development (Ages 3–10)
What is actually happening in a child's brain when they colour — and how to match activities to their age.