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A palette paper pad is the least glamorous thing on an oil painter’s table and one of the most used. Each sheet is a poly-coated, non-absorbent surface for mixing; when the session is over you tear it off, fold it around the leftover paint and throw it away. No scraping, no solvent-soaked rags, no dried acrylic to peel off a plastic palette. The best palette paper pad for your work depends on three things: sheet size, coating weight and whether you want white or gray.
We compared six pads: two long-standing art-brand options from Strathmore and Canson, the gray Jack Richeson Grey Matters pad that color-mixing instructors tend to recommend, a large 12 x 16 pad from Mr. Pen, and two newer heavyweight 9 x 12 pads from Prudiut and wingpaper. All six are tear-off pads for oil, acrylic and other paints; the differences are in size, weight and surface color.
Quick answer: The Strathmore 365-9 Palette Paper Pad, 9 x 12 is the best palette paper pad for most oil and acrylic painters: 41 lb poly-coated paper, 40 tape-bound sheets, made in the USA. If you mix a lot of color or work large, the Canson Disposable Palette 12 x 16 gives you the same tear-off convenience with more room, and painters who judge values carefully should pick the gray Jack Richeson Grey Matters 12 x 16, 50 Sheets.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- Strathmore 365-9 Palette Paper Pad, 9 x 12, 40 Sheets — Best overall palette paper pad
- Jack Richeson Grey Matters Paper Palette, 12 x 16, 50 Sheets — Best gray palette paper for color mixing
- Canson Disposable Palette, 12 x 16, 40 Sheets — Best large pad from an art-paper brand
- Mr. Pen Disposable Palette Paper Pad, 12 x 16, 40 Sheets — Best budget large pad
- Prudiut 120gsm Palette Paper Pad, 9 x 12, 40 Sheets — Best heavyweight sheets for knife mixing
- wingpaper 90gsm Palette Paper Pad, 9 x 12, 50 Sheets — Best value for students
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Key Strength | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strathmore 365-9 | Everyday oil and acrylic | 9 x 12 in; 41 lb; 40 sheets | Made in USA, tape bound | $ |
| Richeson Grey Matters | Accurate color judgment | 12 x 16 in; gray; 50 sheets | Neutral gray surface | $$ |
| Canson Disposable Palette | Large mixing area | 12 x 16 in; coated; 40 sheets | Trusted paper brand | $$ |
| Mr. Pen 12 x 16 | Budget large pad | 12 x 16 in; poly-coated; 40 sheets | Low cost per sheet at this size | $ |
| Prudiut 120gsm | Impasto and palette knives | 9 x 12 in; 120 gsm; 40 sheets | Heaviest paper here | $ |
| wingpaper 90gsm | Students, workshops | 9 x 12 in; 90 gsm; 50 sheets | Most sheets for the price | $ |
How We Chose
These picks are based on the Amazon listing details and specifications checked in October 2026, on how well each pad’s size, paper weight and surface color suit oil and acrylic mixing, and on how widely each product is reviewed by Amazon buyers. We have not mixed paint on these pads. Some listings are brief, especially the older brand-name ones, so where a weight or coating detail is missing we say so rather than guess.
The criteria:
- Sheet size: 9 x 12 for desk and travel, 12 x 16 for studio and large paintings.
- Paper weight and coating: heavier, poly-coated sheets resist tearing under a knife and stop oil seeping through.
- Surface color: white is standard; gray gives a neutral ground for judging value.
- Sheet count: 40 or 50 sheets per pad.
- Binding: tape or glue binding that lets single sheets tear away cleanly.
- Medium compatibility: listings that name oil as well as acrylic.
Best Palette Paper Pads Reviewed
1. Strathmore 365-9 Tape Bound Palette Paper Pad, 9 x 12 — Best for everyday oil and acrylic mixing
Strathmore’s 365 series is the palette pad most art stores stock, and the listing is short because the product needs little explanation: 40 sheets of 41 lb poly-coated paper, 9 x 12 inches, tape bound, made in the United States. The coating makes the sheet non-absorbent so oil does not sink in and acrylic stays workable a little longer.
At 9 x 12 it fits a French easel drawer, a tabletop, or clips to a lap board for plein air. Strathmore describes it simply as a disposable paint-mixing palette for mess-free cleanup, and that is exactly what it is. If you want one pad that will do for oils, acrylics and gouache without fuss, this is it.
Best suited for: Oil and acrylic painters who want a dependable, mid-size tear-off palette from an established paper brand.
Key features:
- 9 x 12 inches, 40 sheets
- 41 lb poly-coated paper
- Tape bound for clean tear-off
- Made in the USA
- White surface
- For all paint mixing
Pros:
- Reliable brand with consistent coating
- Fits easel drawers and lap boards
- Clean single-sheet removal
Cons and limitations:
- Small for painters who mix many colors at once
- White surface skews value judgment
- Listing gives few details beyond weight
Buying consideration: Tape a sheet to a piece of foam board or a clipboard; a loose pad slides around when you drag a knife across it.
2. Jack Richeson Grey Matters Paper Palette, 12 x 16, 50 Sheets — Best for accurate color judgment
Grey Matters is the pad color-theory instructors point students toward. The listing is brief: acid-free palette paper, smooth mixing surface, and a neutral gray backdrop for viewing colors. That gray is the whole point. Against white, every mixture looks darker and duller than it will on a toned or partially covered canvas; against mid-gray, you see the true value.
The pad is 12 x 16 inches with 50 sheets, the largest count here, and the style is listed as loose sheets, so expect pages that lift away easily. It costs more than the white pads, and the listing does not state paper weight or coating, but for anyone struggling to judge value while mixing it is the one upgrade that changes results.
Best suited for: Painters working on toned grounds, portrait and landscape painters, and students learning value control.
Key features:
- 12 x 16 inches, 50 sheets
- Neutral gray surface
- Acid-free palette paper
- Smooth mixing surface
- Loose-sheet style
Pros:
- Gray surface shows true value
- Fifty sheets
- Large mixing area
Cons and limitations:
- Most expensive pad here
- Paper weight and coating not stated
- Gray hides small amounts of white paint
Buying consideration: If you have never mixed on gray, buy one pad and compare; most painters who try it do not go back to white.
3. Canson Disposable Palette, 12 x 16, 40 Sheets — Best for a large pad from an art-paper brand
Canson’s 12 x 16 disposable palette is the studio-size answer from a paper maker with a long track record. The listing describes 40 coated paper sheets for use with all art paints and no messy cleanup. The title mentions acrylics, but the coated surface works the same way for oil.
The extra area over a 9 x 12 pad matters more than it sounds: a full oil palette with a dozen colors around the edge and a mixing zone in the middle needs the room, and a crowded sheet is where mud comes from. Canson gives no paper weight in the listing, so if you lean hard on a palette knife the Prudiut below is the safer bet.
Best suited for: Studio painters who lay out a full palette and mix generously.
Key features:
- 12 x 16 inches, 40 sheets
- Coated white paper
- For all art paints
- Disposable tear-off sheets
- Established paper brand
Pros:
- Large mixing area
- Trusted brand
- Works for oil and acrylic
Cons and limitations:
- Paper weight not stated
- White surface
- Pricier per sheet than Mr. Pen
Buying consideration: Lay the pad flat and tape the top sheet to the table at two corners; a 12 x 16 sheet curls if you only fold it back.
4. Mr. Pen Disposable Paint Palette Paper Pad, 12 x 16, 40 Sheets — Best for a budget large pad
Mr. Pen’s pad offers the same 12 x 16 format and 40 sheets as Canson at a lower price. The listing describes each sheet as poly-coated, thick enough not to tear in use, with a smooth, glossy surface that does not let paint seep through, and names acrylic, oil, watercolor, gouache and casein as compatible.
The glossy finish is worth noting: it is slick under a brush, which some painters like for pulling clean mixtures and others find makes paint bead. Mr. Pen pitches it at every level from parents and students to professionals, and for a working painter who tears through a pad a month, the savings add up.
Best suited for: Painters who use a lot of palette paper and want the large size without the brand premium.
Key features:
- 12 x 16 inches, 40 sheets
- Poly-coated glossy sheets
- Listed for acrylic, oil, watercolor, gouache and casein
- Thick enough not to tear per listing
- Works with brush, spatula or knife
Pros:
- Lowest cost per large sheet
- Multi-medium
- Non-seeping coating
Cons and limitations:
- Glossy surface is slick
- Paper weight not stated
- White only
Buying consideration: Good as a workhorse studio pad; keep a gray pad alongside for sessions where color accuracy matters.
5. Prudiut 120gsm Palette Paper Pad, 9 x 12, 40 Sheets — Best for impasto and palette knife mixing
Prudiut publishes the number the others leave out: 120 gsm, about 73 lb, which it calls heavyweight paper that withstands vigorous mixing without tearing. The coated surface is described as preventing oil, acrylic and watercolor from seeping through, and a waterproof backing protects the table underneath.
For painters who mix stiff oil paint with a knife, a heavier sheet is a real improvement over the 41 lb standard; the knife does not catch and rip the paper. The pad is 9 x 12 with 40 peel-off sheets and is listed as working with knives, brushes and all paint types.
Best suited for: Oil painters who mix with a palette knife and anyone frustrated by torn sheets.
Key features:
- 9 x 12 inches, 40 sheets
- 120 gsm / 73 lb heavyweight paper
- Coated to prevent seep-through
- Waterproof backing
- Peel-off sheets
- For oil, acrylic, watercolor and gouache
Pros:
- Heaviest paper here
- Published weight
- Backing protects the table
Cons and limitations:
- 9 x 12 only
- White surface
- Newer brand with a shorter track record
Buying consideration: If you work large and want heavy paper, use two of these side by side; at 9 x 12 the pad is smaller than its toughness suggests.
6. wingpaper 90gsm Palette Paper Pad, 9 x 12, 50 Sheets — Best for students and workshops
wingpaper’s pad gives you 50 sheets of 90 gsm coated paper at 9 x 12 inches, the most sheets of any 9 x 12 pad here. The listing describes a smooth, low-absorbency surface that keeps paint from soaking through, easy tear-off pages, and suitability for oil, acrylic and watercolor testing and color planning.
At 90 gsm it is lighter than Prudiut’s 120 gsm but still heavier than many standard pads. wingpaper pitches it at beginners, classrooms and workshops where convenience matters, and the sheet count makes it the budget pick for a semester of mixing.
Best suited for: Students, teachers and beginners who want many sheets cheaply.
Key features:
- 9 x 12 inches, 50 sheets
- 90 gsm coated paper
- Low-absorbency smooth surface
- Easy tear-off pages
- For oil, acrylic and watercolor
Pros:
- Fifty sheets
- Published weight
- Low cost
Cons and limitations:
- Lighter than Prudiut
- White only
- Smaller format
Buying consideration: Ideal for a class set; buy one per student and the pad outlasts the course.
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Palette Paper Pad
Size: 9 x 12 or 12 x 16
A 9 x 12 pad fits an easel drawer or lap board and suits plein air and small studio work. A 12 x 16 pad is for laying out a full palette with room to mix. If you find yourself mixing on top of old piles, go bigger.
Paper weight
Standard palette paper is around 41 lb (Strathmore). Heavier sheets like Prudiut’s 120 gsm resist tearing under a knife and buckle less when wet. Lighter paper is fine for brush mixing and costs less per sheet.
Coating
Every pad here is poly-coated or described as coated and non-absorbent. That coating is what stops oil from wicking into the paper and what keeps acrylic from grabbing. Glossy coatings (Mr. Pen) are slicker; matte coatings give a brush slightly more drag.
White or gray
White is standard and shows small amounts of white paint clearly. Gray (Jack Richeson) is a neutral middle value that makes color and value judgments far more accurate, especially for painters working on toned canvases. Many studios keep both.
Oil versus acrylic use
For oil, any coated pad works, and heavier paper helps with knives. For acrylic, palette paper dries fast; if you need paint to last, pair a pad with a sealed box or move to a wet palette, explained in the guide linked below.
Tear-off cleanliness
Tape-bound and glue-bound pads should release one sheet at a time. Fold the used sheet inward around leftover paint before you throw it away, and never put oil-soaked paper in a closed bin with solvent rags.
Sheets per dollar
Fifty-sheet pads (Richeson, wingpaper) and budget 40-sheet pads (Mr. Pen) stretch furthest. A painter who mixes daily uses a sheet or two a session, so a pad lasts one to two months.
Getting the Most From Palette Paper
New to disposable palettes? Start with how to use a palette paper pad, which covers layout, taping and disposal. Our paper tear-off palette tips add tricks for saving leftover paint, and if you work in acrylic, what a wet palette is explains when a sponge system beats paper.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Mixing on a loose sheet. Tape it down or clip the pad; a sliding sheet smears paint everywhere.
- Buying 9 x 12 for a 24-color palette. Crowded sheets make mud. Step up to 12 x 16.
- Dragging a knife on light paper. Choose 90 or 120 gsm if you mix with a knife.
- Judging value on white. Mixes look darker than they will on canvas. Try a gray pad.
- Binning oily sheets with solvent rags. Fold them inward and dispose of them separately for safety.
- Expecting acrylic to stay wet. Paper dries fast; mist lightly or use a stay-wet system for long sessions.
FAQs
What is palette paper and why use a pad?
Palette paper is poly-coated, non-absorbent paper sold in tear-off pads. You mix on the top sheet, then tear it off and throw it away, which saves scraping and solvent cleanup. Strathmore, Canson and Richeson are the long-established options.
Is palette paper good for oil painting?
Yes. The coating stops oil from soaking in, and heavier pads such as Prudiut’s 120 gsm stand up to palette knives. For oils, favor 12 x 16 pads if you lay out a full palette.
Gray or white palette paper?
Gray, like Jack Richeson Grey Matters, gives a neutral background that shows true color and value; white makes mixtures look darker. White is cheaper and shows small amounts of white paint more clearly.
What size palette paper pad should I buy?
For small studies, travel and easel drawers, 9 x 12 (Strathmore, Prudiut, wingpaper). For studio work with many colors, 12 x 16 (Canson, Mr. Pen, Richeson).
Does paint seep through palette paper?
Not through properly coated sheets; every pad here claims a non-absorbent coating. Prudiut adds a waterproof backing for extra protection of the table.
How many sheets will I use?
Typically one or two per painting session, so a 40- or 50-sheet pad lasts one to two months of regular painting. Students in a weekly class can expect a pad to last a semester.
Final Recommendation
For most oil and acrylic painters, the Strathmore 365-9 is the pad to keep buying: reliable coating, sensible size, long track record. Painters who struggle to judge value should switch to the gray Jack Richeson Grey Matters. For big palettes, choose Canson 12 x 16 if you want the brand name or Mr. Pen 12 x 16 if you want the savings. Knife mixers should pick Prudiut 120gsm, and students will do well with the 50-sheet wingpaper pad.
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