Find HS Code and trade information for painting paper

Painting Paper

Painting paper encompasses a variety of paper types specifically designed to receive and support various painting mediums. Its characteristics significantly impact the final artwork, influencing properties like color retention, texture, and durability.

Material

The base material is typically cellulose fibers, derived from wood pulp. However, significant variations exist in pulp quality and processing:

• Wood Pulp: The most common and economical option. Can be acidic or neutral/pH-neutral. Acidic papers degrade faster.
• Cotton: Higher quality, more durable, and more absorbent. Often used for watercolor and archival work. Long-fiber cotton papers are particularly strong.
• Linen: Strongest of the natural fiber papers, offering excellent texture and durability. Used for specialized applications and high-end artwork.
• Alpha-Cellulose: A purified wood pulp, offering better archival qualities than standard wood pulp.
• Synthetic Fibers: Some papers incorporate synthetic fibers for increased strength and resistance to tearing or warping.

Purpose & Function

The primary function of painting paper is to provide a stable surface for the application of paint, allowing for desired techniques and effects. Specific characteristics are tailored to different paint types:

• Support: Holding the paint without buckling or tearing.
• Absorption: Controlling the rate at which paint is absorbed, affecting blending, layering, and color intensity.
• Texture: Providing a surface with varying degrees of tooth (roughness) to interact with the paint.
• Color Retention: Minimizing paint bleed and maximizing color vibrancy.
• Archival Quality: Resisting degradation over time, ensuring the longevity of the artwork.

Usage Scenarios & Paint Types

Different painting papers are optimized for specific paint mediums:

• Watercolor Paper: Designed for high water absorption and minimal bleed. Available in hot press (smooth), cold press (textured), and rough surfaces. Weight is a critical factor, ranging from 140lb (300gsm) for practice to 500lb+ for professional work.
• Acrylic Paper: Typically heavier weight papers with a moderate tooth, capable of withstanding the thicker consistency and potential warping of acrylic paints. Often sized to reduce absorption.
• Oil Paper: Less common, as canvas is the preferred support. Specialized oil papers are heavily sized to prevent oil absorption and are often used for studies or quick sketches.
• Gouache Paper: Similar to watercolor paper, but often with a smoother surface for detailed work.
• Mixed Media Paper: Versatile papers designed to handle a variety of wet and dry media, including paint, ink, and pastels.
• Pastel Paper: Features a textured surface (often with added tooth) to hold pastel pigments.

Common Types & Characteristics

• Hot Press: Smooth surface, ideal for detailed work and precise washes. Less absorbent.
• Cold Press: Textured surface, offering a balance between absorption and detail. Most versatile option.
• Rough: Highly textured surface, creating dramatic effects and allowing for granular washes.
• Plate Finish: Very smooth, similar to hot press but often with a harder surface.
• Laid: Features a ribbed texture, historically created during the papermaking process.
• Wove: Features a smooth, uniform surface with no visible ribs.
• Arches: A well-known brand producing high-quality watercolor and oil papers.
• Fabriano: Another respected brand specializing in watercolor and drawing papers.
• Strathmore: Offers a wide range of papers for various media, including painting.

Based on the provided information, “painting paper” can be classified under the following HS codes:

• 4805911090: This HS code covers “Other uncoated paper and paperboard, in rolls or sheets, not further worked or processed than as specified in note 3 to this chapter: Other: Weighing 150 g/m² or less: Multi-ply paper and paperboard; bibulous and wrapping paper Other”. This could apply if the painting paper is uncoated, in rolls or sheets, weighs 150 g/m² or less, and is a multi-ply or bibulous paper. The tax rate details are: Basic tariff: 0.0%, Additional tariff: 25.0%, Additional tariff after 2025.4.2: 30.0%, Total tariff: 55.0%.
• 4805915000: This HS code covers “Other uncoated paper and paperboard, in rolls or sheets, not further worked or processed than as specified in note 3 to this chapter: Other: Weighing 150 g/m² or less: Other: Weighing not over 15 g/m²”. This could apply if the painting paper is uncoated, in rolls or sheets, weighs 150 g/m² or less, and weighs not over 15 g/m². The tax rate details are: Basic tariff: 0.0%, Additional tariff: 25.0%, Additional tariff after 2025.4.2: 30.0%, Total tariff: 55.0%.
• 9701910000: This HS code covers “Painting, drawings and pastels, executed entirely by hand, other than drawings of heading 4906 and other than hand-painted or hand-decorated manufacture articles; collages, mosaics and similar decorative plaques: Other: Paintings, drawings, and pastels”. This applies if the painting paper is the finished painting itself, executed entirely by hand. The tax rate details are: Basic tariff: 0.0%, Additional tariff: 7.5%, Additional tariff after 2025.4.2: 30.0%, Total tariff: 37.5%.
• 9701990000: This HS code covers “Painting, drawings and pastels, executed entirely by hand, other than drawings of heading 4906 and other than hand-painted or hand-decorated manufacture articles; collages, mosaics and similar decorative plaques: Other: Other”. This applies if the painting paper is the finished painting itself, executed entirely by hand. The tax rate details are: Basic tariff: 0.0%, Additional tariff: 7.5%, Additional tariff after 2025.4.2: 30.0%, Total tariff: 37.5%.

Chapter 48 relates to paper and paperboard. Heading 4805 specifically covers uncoated paper and paperboard. Subheading 480591 further defines this as other uncoated paper and paperboard weighing 150 g/m² or less.

Chapter 97 relates to works of art, collectibles and antiques. Heading 9701 specifically covers paintings, drawings and pastels.

Regarding HS codes 9701910000 and 9701990000, please note that these apply to the finished artwork, not the paper itself.