German Etching or Photo Rag.
Both are Hahnemühle matte fine-art papers, acid- and lignin-free, made for pigment inks. They differ in fibre and surface. Figures from Hahnemühle’s datasheets, checked August 2026.
| German Etching | Photo Rag | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 310 gsm | 308 gsm |
| Fibre | 100% alpha-cellulose, mould-made | 100% cotton |
| Surface | Velvety, clearly defined felt texture | Soft, lightly defined felt texture |
| Tone | Warm natural white | White |
| Suits | Paintings, watercolour, etchings, anything with surface | Photographs, pen and ink, flat colour, fine detail |
Why we print on German Etching
Oil and watercolour have surface. A textured sheet carries brushwork and wash; a smooth sheet flattens them. Photo Rag is the better paper for photographs and line. We sell paintings, so every print here is German Etching.
The cotton myth
Several paper guides call German Etching a cotton paper. Hahnemühle’s datasheet says 100% alpha-cellulose. Photo Rag is the cotton one. Both are archival; the difference is texture and tone, not longevity.
Questions
Is German Etching archival?
Yes. Acid- and lignin-free, rated by Hahnemühle for age resistance, like Photo Rag.
Is German Etching cotton?
No. It is 100% alpha-cellulose, mould-made. Photo Rag is the 100% cotton paper. Several online guides get this backwards.
Which paper for watercolour reproductions?
German Etching. Its felt texture reads like watercolour paper, so the print looks like the medium. Photo Rag suits photographs, pen work and flat colour.
Which is whiter?
Photo Rag. German Etching is a warm natural white, which flatters oil and watercolour.