bristol board

bristol board

An artist sketches a design on a sheet of bristol board.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A type of heavy, stiff paper or pasteboard, typically used for drawing, painting, or printing, such as for business cards or formal documents.
    • It is named after the city of Bristol, England, where it was originally manufactured.
Usage Examples
  • (A stiff paper suitable for detailed artwork.)
  • (A durable paper for formal printing.)
Advanced Usage
  • "Bristol board" is often specified by thickness (e.g., 2-ply, 3-ply) for different applications.
    • For watercolor painting, a 4-ply bristol board is preferred to prevent buckling. (A thicker variant for wet media.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Bristol paper (n): a synonym for bristol board, often used interchangeably.

    • The artist prefers bristol paper for pen-and-ink work. (A smooth, stiff paper.)
  • Pasteboard (n): a general term for thick, stiff paper, of which bristol board is a subtype.

    • The box was made of pasteboard, but the lid was reinforced with bristol board. (A heavier, more durable cardboard.)
Synonyms
  • Card stock: a thick, stiff paper used for similar purposes.
  • Illustration board: a heavier, mounted paper for art, sometimes thicker than bristol board.
Related Idioms
  • (No common idioms directly involve "bristol board," but it may appear in technical contexts such as "bristol board quality" to denote durability.)
    • The printer promised bristol board quality for the business cards. (A standard of stiffness and finish.)