How do hot-pressed and cold-pressed papers differ?

• A. Hot-pressed surfaces are smooth; cold-pressed surfaces have texture.
• B. Hot-pressed surfaces are rough; cold-pressed are smooth.
• C. Hot-pressed surfaces are absorbent; cold-pressed are non-absorbent.
• D. Hot-pressed dries faster than cold-pressed.

Answer: (A)

The surface texture difference comes from how the paper is finished after it’s made. Hot-pressing uses heat and pressure to flatten the sheet, yielding a very smooth surface that takes fine detail and washes with an even, flat look. Cold-pressing uses less pressure (and less heat), leaving a visible texture—often called a tooth—that gives the surface a slight grip and shows brush marks more clearly. This texture is what most artists notice as CP papers having texture while HP papers feel smooth. Absorbency and drying time aren’t the defining distinctions here; both types can vary in those aspects depending on other factors, but the key difference is the surface finish.