Silvine A4 Professional Layout Pad. 80 Sheets of Semi Transparent 50gsm Paper. Ref A4LP,White

I bought this pad to research a lesson in A-level Product Design, as I'd never used Layout paper before. My expectations of a 50gsm paper pad were fairly low, as I typically use 140gsm (or heavier) cartridge paper for multi-media fibre-tip ink & graphite drawing. The paper is smooth and almost as white as bleached copier paper, so takes well to monochrome media like graphite, charcoal & fibre-tip ink (though you do risk the ink bleeding through from one sheet to another if your pen lingers too long in the same place). While it is lightweight and translucent, I wouldn't recommend using layout paper for tracing, as it is a little bit too opaque to allow the capturing of fine details. If you want to trace pre-existing images, you would be much better served spending a bit more money on a specialist tracing paper pad. Layout paper is however perfect for large-scale sketching and concept work, and a much cheaper option than medium or heavyweight cartridge paper if you prefer working at A3 rather than A4 or smaller scales. The paper is surprisingly strong under tension and resistant to ripping, but the lightweight specification of the pad does mean that the paper is prone to curling and creasing and will not respond well to water-soluble graphite or watercolour (though this is not surprising, as this product is not intended for this kind of work). I will definitely be buying this pad again for concept design & general sketching with fibre-tip ink pens, pencils & graphite sticks.

I really wasn't expecting that much of this- I really wanted a pad of tracing paper but I couldn't find one that was big enough. But I was surprised. This is really good stuff. It's thin enough that I can use it as tracing paper but it's really good quality paper too. The pad itself is pretty sturdy too. This is better than what I was hoping for, and for the price way better than I thought I'd be getting.

Not bad trace paper. Not too thin and decent transparency.

Ideal for conceptualising. And good value. Alex Pearl is the author of Sleeping with the Blackbirds, The Chair Man, and A Brand to Die For

Bought this to trace a sewing pattern. Good thickness but I could only see through it when I held it up to the light so If traced the pattern by sticking it to my patio door and the results were great.

I had never used layout paper before this. now zoned never be without it. Great for sketching full size then redrawing the bits I want go improve. i even funixbbsithvxingkebfininer lines before transposing onto watercolour paper. If you use a grid you can out abbeys behind a sheet. It is not tracing paper but is transparent enough to see clearly doughnut for redrawing while still robust enough for sketch hung. I keep my final version to transfer if I spoil my watercolour. At 10p a sheet I can use a few developing my drawing and not feel bad throwing sheets out. unless you are very careful the last few sheets get dog eared. Everything else is positive

I got this specific one because it was recommended by my professor and I liked it. Glad I got an extra one so I can use it for my own personal drawings.

A nice, cheap, perfectly acceptable substitute for expensive foundation paper piecing. Takes print well, tears nicely when you want it to, and not when you don't.