Pacon Cream Manila Drawing Paper 18 x 24 500-Pack - Classroom Value

Our review of Pacon Cream Manila Drawing Paper finds it to be a practical, low-cost workhorse for classrooms, art beginners, and group projects where quantity and texture matter. The 18 x 24 sheets come in a 500-pack and are described as 50 lb cover weight cream manila, making them thicker and softer than typical printer paper. The single biggest reason to buy is the large pack size paired with a usable surface for dry media and tempera, which keeps supply closets stocked and gives students and kids plenty of paper to experiment on.

Key Features

• Large pack size: 500 sheets provide extended use for classrooms, clubs, or repetitive craft projects without frequent repurchasing.
• Sheet dimensions: The 18 x 24 in format gives ample drawing area for sketches, group murals, and poster work that smaller sheets restrict.
• Weight and feel: The 50 lb cover weight makes the paper noticeably thicker and a bit softer than standard printing paper, improving handling for dry media.
• Suitable media: Designed for crayon, charcoal, pencil, and tempera paint so students can switch between tools without needing specialty paper for each medium.
• Cream color: The off-white tone reduces glare compared with bright white paper and can complement charcoal and pencil shading.

Who It's For

This paper is ideal for elementary and middle school classrooms, art teachers who run frequent projects, and parents stocking up for toddler art and craft sessions. Its large quantity and sturdy feel suit situations where durability matters more than archival quality.

It is less appropriate for professional artists seeking archival surfaces or for wet-media intensive work beyond light tempera paint. Those needing heavyweight watercolor or mixed-media papers should look elsewhere.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Excellent value for money because of the 500-sheet pack size that reduces per-sheet cost.
• Good texture for pencil, crayon, and charcoal which improves the drawing experience compared with printer paper.
• Convenient 18 x 24 in size that works well for classroom assignments and group projects.
• Compatible with tempera paint for basic classroom painting tasks.

Cons

• Some customers report inconsistent durability, with occasional tearing on heavier handling.
• The cream color is a matter of preference and has received mixed feedback from users who expected brighter white.

Specifications

Brand	Pacon
Color	Cream Manila
Sheet size	18 x 24 in
Pack quantity	500 sheets
Weight	50 lb cover weight
Recommended media	Crayon, charcoal, pencil, tempera paint

Our Verdict

For classrooms, youth programs, and anyone who values quantity and a pleasant drawing surface, this Pacon pack is a smart buy that stretches your budget. It is not an archival or heavy wet-media sheet, but the combination of 50 lb cover weight and an 18 x 24 in format delivers dependable performance for everyday drawing, sketching, and tempera painting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this paper good for tempera paint?
The paper accepts light tempera applications well, but very wet or layered painting may cause buckling or tearing.

Can you use markers on this paper?
Markers work but may show bleed for wet markers; it is optimized for dry media like crayon and pencil.

Is the cream color consistent?
Color is generally cream manila, though a few buyers report slight variation; the tone is softer than bright white.