Fabriano Accademia Paper Guide: GSM and Sizes Explained

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adminhaanz

2026-10-13

On 2026-10-12

Haanz Art GuideFree, practical advice from the team at Haanz Art & Craft Materials

Fabriano Accademia paper is one of the most popular drawing papers in our shops, and students often ask which size and weight to buy. The packs look almost the same, but 160gsm and 240gsm feel quite different under a pencil. This guide explains what GSM means, how to pick the right weight and size, and what to use with your paper.

What is Fabriano Accademia paper?

Accademia is a natural white drawing paper made in Italy by Fabriano. It has a fine-grained surface that takes graphite, charcoal, pastel and ink well, which is why it is a favourite for art school work, sketching and portfolio pieces. It is acid-free, so drawings don’t yellow quickly. The heavier weights can also handle light washes.

Fabriano Accademia GSM explained

GSM means “grams per square metre”. The higher the number, the thicker and stiffer the sheet. Fabriano makes Accademia in several weights; these are the ones we stock:

160gsm: the lightest weight we stock. Good for everyday sketching, practice drawings and class exercises.
175gsm: a little thicker. A good all-round choice for pencil and charcoal work.
200gsm: firmer and more durable. Handles layered shading and repeated erasing better, and suits finished pieces.
240gsm: the heaviest we stock. Best for finished artwork, portfolio pieces and drawings where you want to add a light wash of ink or watercolour.

If you plan to use a lot of water, choose proper watercolour paper instead. Our watercolour paper guide explains the difference.

A4 or A3?

A4 (210 × 297mm) is easy to carry, fits in a school bag and is ideal for practice, studies and small drawings.
A3 (297 × 420mm) is twice the size of A4. It gives you room for portraits, still life and full compositions, and is the size many art teachers ask for.

Fabriano drawing papers we stock

Fabriano Accademia Paper A3 240gsm: our best-selling Accademia sheet, for finished drawings and portfolio work.
Fabriano Accademia Paper A3 200gsm: a firm, durable A3 sheet for layered shading.
Fabriano Accademia Paper A3 175gsm and A3 160gsm: lighter A3 sheets for sketching and practice.
Fabriano Accademia Paper A4 175gsm, A4 200gsm and A4 160gsm: the same paper in a handy A4 size.
Fabriano Mixed Media Paper 50 × 65cm 250gsm: a large sheet made for both dry and wet media, such as markers and washes.

Prices change, so see each product page for today’s price. Browse all Fabriano papers and pads or all papers for pencil drawing.

Tips for drawing on Accademia paper

Use hard pencil grades for the layout and softer grades for shading. Our pencil grades guide explains which ones to buy.
Build tones in light layers instead of pressing hard, so you don’t dent or polish the surface.
Lift graphite gently with a kneadable eraser and smooth tones with paper stumps.
Rest your hand on an anti-fouling mitten or a spare sheet to avoid smudges.
For ink drawings, fine pens such as Sakura Pigma Micron work well on its smooth grain.
Store sheets flat and dry so they stay crisp, especially in humid weather.

Frequently asked questions

Which Fabriano Accademia paper is best for O/L and A/L art?

Always check your teacher’s list first. Many students use A3 sheets, with 160gsm or 175gsm for practice and 200gsm or 240gsm for finished work.

Can I use watercolour on Accademia paper?

The heavier weights can take light washes, but for full watercolour paintings, watercolour paper works much better.

Is Fabriano Accademia good for charcoal?

Yes. Its fine grain holds charcoal and pastel well, especially in the heavier weights.

Do you deliver islandwide?

Yes. We deliver across Sri Lanka in 2–5 working days, with cash on delivery, card or bank transfer. You can also visit our shops in Boralesgamuwa and Horana, open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Not sure what to choose? WhatsApp the Haanz team on 0711 515 515 and we’ll help you pick the right paper size and weight.

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