BAOHONG Hot Press Watercolor Paper Block: Research Notes

This is the hot press version of the BAOHONG watercolor paper block in my kit: a small 4.9 × 7 in block of 20 sheets with a smooth surface. I have not written my own notes on it yet, so everything below is what BAOHONG states about the paper and what hot press paper is generally used for. For how paper weight, cotton and surface matter more than the paint, see the paper section of my beginner watercolor guide.

What BAOHONG says about the paper

According to BAOHONG’s Amazon listing (part number BC-3032HP), which calls it Academy grade watercolor paper:

• Fiber and weight100% cotton, 140 lb (300 gsm). BAOHONG says cotton paper holds more color and absorbs water well.
• Archivalacid-free, chlorine-free and pH-neutral, sold as archival for keeping finished work.
• UsesBAOHONG lists watercolor, ink, markers, pencils and charcoal, and pitches the Academy grade at beginners, students and art exams.
• Makerthe listing names Baoding Huarong Paper Mill, the mill named on BAOHONG’s own paper site.

Hot press or cold press: the two BAOHONG blocks

BAOHONG sells this block in the same size and sheet count with two surfaces, and the surface is the real choice:

• Hot press (this block)pressed smooth, with little tooth. It is generally chosen for fine detail, crisp edges, ink-and-wash and line work. Washes tend to sit on the surface and dry with harder edges than on textured paper.
• Cold pressa slight texture that catches pigment and hides uneven washes, the usual all-rounder for beginners. BAOHONG’s cold press block is that version.

One trap on the Amazon listing: its first bullet point describes “textured, 140lb/300gsm cold pressed paper”, while the title, the size options, the paper finish field and the description all say hot press. The size option you pick on Amazon should start with Hot Press.

The block format and sizes

BAOHONG’s listing describes a block of 20 sheets glued on all four edges over a hardboard backing. It says the glued edges remove the need to stretch the paper and keep it from cockling, and the backing gives you a firm surface to paint on without a separate board. The usual way to use a block is to paint on the top sheet, let it dry while still glued, then slide a blade into the gap in the binding to lift it off.

The hot press block comes in three sizes on the listing: 4.9 × 7 in (covered here), 8.3 × 5.9 in and 8.3 × 12.2 in. BAOHONG says the block is a good size to take traveling. If you want finished pages kept together in one book instead, the BAOHONG Academy journal is the bound cold press option, and my sketchbook guide covers paper weights by medium.

How it compares

Photo	Set	Paper	Surface	Price (Amazon)
	BAOHONG block, hot pressThis set	100% cotton, 300 gsm	Hot press	$13.95 as of Nov 3, 2026, 11:16 UTCDetails Price and availability show on Amazon. Back to top card
	BAOHONG block, cold pressI use thisSame 100% cotton 300 gsm paper, size and 20 sheets per BAOHONG's listing, with a textured cold press surface instead of smooth hot press.	100% cotton, 300 gsm	Cold press	$14.95 as of Nov 3, 2026, 11:16 UTCDetails Price and availability show on Amazon. Read why: BAOHONG block, cold pressView on Amazon
	BAOHONG Academy journalI use thisA bound journal rather than a glued block: 24 sheets of 100% cotton 300 gsm cold press paper at 6.2 × 9.4 in, per its listing.	100% cotton, 300 gsm	Cold press	$31.49 as of Nov 3, 2026, 11:16 UTCDetails Price and availability show on Amazon. Read why: BAOHONG Academy journalView on Amazon

Specs are each maker's own. Prices are Amazon's, shown only with their time. All 4 in the guide

If it fits, here it is

BAOHONG Watercolor Paper Block, Hot Press

$13.95

as of Nov 3, 2026, 11:16 UTCDetails

Price and availability show on Amazon.

Check price on Amazon

Paid link · I may earn from it

Not sure? Compare all 4