Canson Montval Watercolor Pad: 140 lb Mould-Made Paper
The Canson Montval watercolor pad holds 12 sheets of 140 lb (300 g/m²) cold-press paper that Canson calls a mould-made French watercolor paper. Blick sells the tape-bound pad, bound on the short side, in 9 × 12, 10 × 15, 15 × 20 and 18 × 24 in. Canson says the surface withstands scraping, erasing and repeated washes.
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Product facts
- Product
- Canson Montval Tape Bound Watercolor Pad, 9 x 12 in, 140 lb (300 gsm), cold press, 12 sheets
- Brand
- Canson
- Brand origin
- France
- Made in
- France*
- Material
- 140 lb (300 g/m²) mould-made watercolor paper, cold press, natural white, acid-free, tape bound
- Price range
- $$$5–20 per ream or pad
Notes on these facts
- Made by Canson (Annonay, France). Made in France: Canson's US page calls Montval a mould-made French paper, and Canson's French page says Canson has made it since the early 20th century; Canson's French 'Qui sommes-nous' page says its papers are made in France at Saint-Marcel-lès-Annonay, and Bruneau lists Montval blocks as designed and manufactured in France. We haven't seen the back of the US tape-bound pad, which may name the country where it was padded. Source. Price: example listing.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026.
Key takeaways
- Every tape-bound Montval pad holds 12 sheets of 140 lb (300 g/m²) cold-press paper, per Blick.
- Blick lists four sizes, 9 × 12, 10 × 15, 15 × 20 and 18 × 24 in, all bound with tape on the short side.
- Canson's French site says the painter Gaspard Maillol, nephew of the sculptor Aristide Maillol, designed Montval and had Canson make it in the early 20th century.
- In France, Canson sells Montval in fine, cloud (nuage) and satin grains, at 200, 270 and 300 g/m².
- The 9 × 12 in pad sits in our $$ band ($5–20 per pad), the same as the Canson XL Watercolor pad.
What is Canson Montval?
Montval is Canson’s mould-made watercolor paper, sold in the US as 140 lb (300 g/m²) cold press in pads, blocks, sheets and books. Canson’s US page calls it a French paper that suits all wet media and says the surface withstands scraping, erasing and repeated washes.
Canson’s French site tells its origin: the painter Gaspard Maillol, nephew of the sculptor Aristide Maillol, designed the paper and had Canson make it in the early 20th century. Canson says it has gained new qualities since.
Canson Montval pad specs
| Spec | 9 × 12 in tape-bound pad |
|---|---|
| Size | 9 × 12 in (229 × 305 mm) |
| Sheets | 12 |
| Weight | 140 lb (300 g/m²) |
| Surface | Cold press |
| Making | Mould made (Canson) |
| Color | Natural white |
| Archival | Acid-free; mildew-resistant |
| Binding | Tape bound on the short side |
| Fiber | Not stated by Canson |
| Made in | France |
Size, sheets, binding, color and the acid-free claim come from Blick; mould making and the scraping claim from Canson’s US page. Canson doesn’t publish a fiber content for Montval on the pages we read.
What sizes does the Montval pad come in?
Blick sells the tape-bound pad in four sizes, each with 12 sheets of 140 lb paper.
| Size (in) | Size (cm) | Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| 9 × 12 | 22.9 × 30.5 | 12 |
| 10 × 15 | 25.4 × 38.1 | 12 |
| 15 × 20 | 38.1 × 50.8 | 12 |
| 18 × 24 | 45.7 × 61.0 | 12 |
In France the range is wider. Canson’s French site lists 300 g/m² fine-grain Montval blocks of 12 sheets in 18 × 25, 24 × 32 and 36 × 48 cm and A4 to A2, plus 50- and 70-sheet blocks in A-sizes. It also sells a 200 g/m² fine grain, a 270 g/m² “grain nuage” (cloud grain) and a 300 g/m² satin (hot-press) grain.
Is Montval good for watercolor?
Canson says the surface takes scraping, erasing and repeated washes, and lists it for all wet media. A tape-bound pad doesn’t hold the sheet flat while you paint, so tape the sheet to a board for big wet washes, or pick a block glued on four sides.
We haven’t tested how it lifts or cockles yet, so that is Canson’s claim, not our finding.
How does Montval compare to other 140 lb papers?
It sits a step above student pads, in the same weight as cotton papers that cost far more.
| Canson XL Watercolor | Canson Montval | Fabriano Studio | Arches block | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 140 lb | 140 lb | 140 lb | 140 lb |
| Fiber | No cotton stated | Not stated | 25% cotton | 100% cotton |
| Making | Student line | Mould made | Not stated | Mould made |
| Sheets (9 × 12 in) | 30 | 12 | 12 or 50 | 20 |
| Price band | $$ | $$ | $$ | $$$ |
Figures for the other papers come from our guides to them. If you want a block that stays flat at a similar price, see the Hahnemühle Harmony block, glued on all four sides.
Who makes Montval, and where is it made?
Canson, the French paper maker based in Annonay, makes Montval, and its US page calls it a French paper. Canson’s French site says its papers are made in France at Saint-Marcel-lès-Annonay, and Belgian retailer Bruneau lists Montval blocks as designed and manufactured in France.
We haven’t seen the label on a US tape-bound pad, so check the back cover if the country matters to you.
Frequently asked questions
Is Canson Montval good watercolor paper?
Canson positions it as a mould-made French paper whose surface stands up to scraping, erasing and repeated washes. It isn't sold as cotton paper, so it sits between student pads and 100% cotton papers such as Arches; we haven't tested it ourselves yet.
Is Canson Montval 100% cotton?
Canson's French and US pages don't give a fiber content for Montval. French retailer Bricomarché describes a Montval block as cellulose watercolor paper, and Canson sells its cotton papers under other names, such as the 100% cotton Coton d'Art on its French site.
How many sheets are in a Canson Montval pad?
The tape-bound pads hold 12 sheets in every size Blick lists. Canson's French blocks come in 12-sheet versions too, plus larger 50- and 70-sheet blocks in A-sizes.
What weight is Canson Montval paper?
The US pads are 140 lb, which is 300 g/m². In France Canson also sells a lighter 200 g/m² fine grain and a 270 g/m² cloud grain.
What is the difference between Canson Montval and Canson XL Watercolor?
Both are 140 lb cold press, but Canson calls Montval a mould-made paper, while XL Watercolor is its student line. The XL pad holds 30 sheets against Montval's 12.
Who invented Montval paper?
Canson's French site says the painter Gaspard Maillol, nephew of the sculptor Aristide Maillol, designed it and had Canson make it in the early 20th century.
Is Canson Montval acid-free?
Yes. Blick describes it as acid-free, natural white and mildew-resistant.
Sources
- Canson (France): Montval (read in full: designed by Gaspard Maillol, made by Canson in the early 20th century; fine, cloud and satin grains; 200, 270 and 300 g/m²; blocks glued on 4 sides and on 1 side; FSC for 1-side blocks and albums; block references and EANs)
- Canson USA: Artist Series Montval Watercolor (read in full: cold press, mould made, French paper; withstands scraping, erasing and repeated washes; 140 lb / 300 g cold press)
- Canson (France): Qui sommes-nous ? (papers made in France at Saint-Marcel-lès-Annonay)
- Dick Blick: Canson Montval Tape Bound Watercolor Pads (read in full: 9 x 12, 10 x 15, 15 x 20 and 18 x 24 in, 12 sheets, 140 lb / 300 gsm, tape bound on the short side, acid-free, natural white, mildew-resistant; items 10111-1003 to -1009)
- Bruneau: Montval watercolor paper block A3, 100 sheets (designed and manufactured in France)
- Bricomarché: Bloc papier aquarelle cellulose Montval blanc 300 g/m² Canson (18 x 25 cm, 12 sheets, EAN 3148958073176)