All three papers share the hallmark attributes of our mill: archival permanence, dimensional stability through traditional Mould Made papermaking, and the assurance of consistent quality that artists around the world trust. However, their subtle differences, from composition and sizing to surface behaviour and feel, give each its own distinct personality.

Saunders Waterford® - The traditional choice for professional artists
Professional Standard | 100% Cotton | Gelatine Surface Sized

Saunders Waterford® is our flagship watercolour paper, chosen by professional artists for its luxurious feel, durability, and classic character. Made from 100% cotton and both internally and externally sized with gelatine, it provides outstanding surface strength, allowing artists to scrub, glaze, and scratch without surface damage.

Its mould made construction ensures that it remains flatter and more stable when wet, resisting buckling. The surface textures, Hot Pressed (HP), Cold Pressed (CP/NOT), and Rough, are created using natural woollen felts, giving each sheet a beautifully random texture that enhances the natural character of a painting.

Artists love its superb open time, the period during which the sheet stays damp before drying evenly, making it ideal for blending and glazing techniques. Saunders Waterford® also features deckle edges, a watermark, and an embossed mark on full sheets for authenticity and presentation. It’s available in a very large range with a multitude of weights (190gsm-638gsm / 90lb–300lb), three surface textures (HP, CP/NOT, Rough), two shades of white, and a multitude of formats including sheets, pads, blocks, and rolls.

Best for: Professional artists who want a strong, traditional sheet capable of withstanding demanding techniques while offering beautiful surface texture and colour brilliance.

Millford - Hard sized for extended wet working
Professional Standard | 100% Cotton | No Animal Ingredients

Millford is also made from 100% cotton, but with a different surface treatment designed for artists who love working wet-in-wet. It is hard sized (more water-resistant than traditional papers), meaning the sheet remains in its wettest state for longer, giving artists extra time to manipulate pigment across the surface before the drying process begins.

Like all papers made at St Cuthberts Mill, Millford is mould made, giving it the same superior surface stability and archival permanence. The difference lies in the sizing: it is less absorbent. It also does not have a gelatine coating, so it contains no animal ingredients, making it ideal for artists seeking an animal free alternative.
The paper’s open time is superb, and its ability to lift colour is excellent, ideal for artists who rely on creating highlights through controlled lifting. Millford comes in Cold Pressed (CP/NOT) surface in a 300gsm (140lb) weight.

Best for: Watercolourists who prefer extended working time on wet surfaces and a cotton paper free from animal ingredients.

Bockingford® - Premium performance and value
Premium quality with professional attributes | Archival | No Animal Ingredients

Bockingford® is a premium quality Mould Made paper that delivers the performance and feel of a professional watercolour paper at a more accessible price. Unlike Saunders Waterford® and Millford, it is made from high-grade alpha cellulose rather than cotton, yet it maintains outstanding archival standards, being also acid free, fade resistant, and buffered with calcium carbonate for longevity.

It contains no animal ingredients, and is ideal for artists looking for an animal free paper. Bockingford® offers an excellent balance of strength, stability, and value, making it suitable for a wide range of media including watercolour, gouache, acrylic, pastel, ink, pencil, and charcoal.

Artists appreciate its superb colour lifting properties, ability to create texture through controlled backwashing techniques, and even drying, making it a versatile choice for both professionals and students who want consistently good results. It’s available in multiple weights (190gsm-535gsm / 90lb–250lb), three surface textures (HP, CP/NOT, Rough), some unusual coloured sheets, and several formats including sheets, pads, blocks, and rolls.

Best for: Artists seeking a versatile, archival-quality paper suitable for watercolour and mixed media, offering exceptional value without compromise.

Shared qualities across all three papers

Regardless of which you choose, every St Cuthberts Mill paper is:

• Mould made in England for superior surface stability.
• Acid-free, archival, and fade-resistant, ensuring your work lasts for generations.
• Internally sized for consistent absorbency.
• Made and tested by skilled papermakers who carry forward a heritage of craftsmanship dating back centuries.

Each batch undergoes rigorous quality control, ensuring consistency in absorbency, shade, surface texture, and durability. The result is paper that artists can trust, whether painting a first wash or a final masterpiece.

Choosing the right paper for your art

• Saunders Waterford® - for the traditionalist seeking the finest cotton paper with classic gelatine sizing and surface strength.
• Millford - for artists who love working wet-in-wet and want a cotton, animal free alternative.
• Bockingford® - for those wanting professional performance at an accessible price, suitable for watercolour and mixed media.

In every sheet we make, we combine history, craftsmanship, and precision, giving artists a paper they can trust to perform beautifully, time and again.
 

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