Strathmore 300 Series Bristol and Tracing Paper Pad Bundle - Smooth

In this review the Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Paper and Tracing Paper Pad Bundle is evaluated for artists who need reliable practice and presentation papers. The bottom line: this bundle pairs a heavy, smooth finish Bristol pad for detailed pen and marker work with a lightweight tracing pad for overlays and studies, making it a practical combination for illustrators, designers and students. The pads are both 14' x 17' and tape bound, and the review finds the pair useful for projects that require a stable surface and a translucent option without overpaying for premium stock.

Key Features

• Smooth finish Bristol: the 100 lb. / 270 gsm Bristol provides a dense, flat surface that holds fine pen and marker lines cleanly for precise illustration work.
• Tracing pad included: the 25 lb. / 41 gsm tracing paper accepts pencil, marker and ink for easy overlays and tracing without bulky weight.
• Matching dimensions: both pads are 14' x 17', which keeps compositions and tracings aligned and reduces the need to trim or resize sheets.
• Tape bound convenience: the tape bound edges keep sheets together and make it simple to tear out pages while maintaining a clean top edge for studio use.
• Acid free Bristol: the Bristol sheet is acid free, which helps preserve line work and prevents yellowing over time for archival sketches.

Who It's For

This bundle is best for illustrators, comic artists, graphic designers and serious students who need a heavyweight drawing surface for ink and marker plus a translucent tracing option for refining layouts. The Bristol pad handles detailed fineline and marker rendering, while the tracing pad makes quick iterations and transfers easy.

Less suitable for painters or wet-media users who require watercolor or mixed-media weight papers, and not ideal for artists who want a spiral-bound sketchbook or odd sizes; those users should consider pads or books made specifically for wet media or different bindings.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Heavy 100 lb. / 270 gsm Bristol provides a stable, smooth surface that resists bleed-through with many pens and markers.
• Tracing paper pad is lightweight and translucent, useful for overlays and transferring compositions.
• Both pads share the same 14' x 17' size to keep work consistent across sheets and media.
• Made in the USA and tape bound for a clean edge and easy sheet removal.

Cons

• Tracing paper is thin at 25 lb. / 41 gsm and will not suit heavy wet media or repeated erasing.
• Tape bound format may be less convenient for those who prefer spiral binding or pads that lie flat completely.

Specifications

Brand	Strathmore
Bristol paper weight	100 lb. / 270 gsm, acid free
Tracing paper weight	25 lb. / 41 gsm
Sheet count	Bristol 20 sheets; Tracing 50 sheets
Dimensions	14' x 17' for both pads
Binding	Tape bound
Made in	USA

Our Verdict

The Strathmore 300 Series bundle is a solid value for artists who need both a heavyweight, smooth Bristol surface for detailed ink and marker work and a reliable tracing pad for layout and revisions. It is especially useful in studio or classroom settings where matching sheet sizes and archival Bristol stock matter; those needing heavy wet-media support should look elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are both pads the same size?
Yes, both the Bristol and tracing pads measure 14' x 17' which keeps work consistent across sheets.

Can the Bristol handle alcohol markers?
The 100 lb. / 270 gsm Bristol handles many pen and marker types well and resists bleed-through better than lighter papers, but very heavy alcohol marker saturation may still show through.

Is the tracing paper suitable for ink?
Yes, the 25 lb. / 41 gsm tracing paper accepts pencil, marker and ink, but it is thin and best suited for overlays and tracing rather than heavy erasing.