Cold-pressed paper is popular for its texture; it facilitates thin washes and allows pigment particles to settle, effectively revealing brushstrokes, layered colors, and surface texture, making it the most versatile type of watercolor paper.
Hot-pressed paper is produced using metal rollers, resulting in a smooth surface that makes colors appear vibrant. However, it is less conducive to pigment settling and the natural diffusion of washes; it tends to produce tie-dye-like patterns and hard-edged water stains-characteristics that some artists leverage to create their own unique painting styles.
