--- title: "Strathmore 300 Series Sketch Pad: 50 lb Paper & Sizes" canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/strathmore-300-sketch-pad/" description: "Strathmore 300 Series Sketch pad explained: 50 lb (74 g/m²) fine-tooth paper for dry media, 9 × 12 in wire-bound pad of 100 sheets, sizes, vs the 400." category: "Paper" type: "Sketch & art pad" published: 2026-10-22 updated: 2026-10-22 author: "Ellis Penhale" publisher: "Stationery Times" sources: 6 products: - name: "Strathmore 300 Series Sketch Pad, 9 x 12 in, 50 lb, 100 sheets, wire bound (350-9)" brand: "Strathmore" brand_origin: "United States" made_in: "Not stated" material: "50 lb (74 g/m²) fine-tooth sketch paper, micro-perforated sheets, wire binding" released: "1974" price_band: "$$ ($5–20 per ream or pad, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Strathmore Artist Papers, a division of Dixon Ticonderoga (F.I.L.A. Group); owned by Pacon Corporation from 2006 until F.I.L.A. bought Pacon in 2018" model: "350-9" gtin: "012017350092" url: "https://www.strathmoreartist.com/draw-sketch/300-series-sketch" --- # Strathmore 300 Series Sketch Pad: 50 lb Paper & Sizes > The Strathmore 300 Series Sketch Pad is a student-grade pad of 50 lb (74 g/m²) fine-tooth sketch paper for graphite, colored pencil, charcoal and sketching sticks. The popular 9 × 12 in pad (350-9) is wire bound with 100 micro-perforated sheets. Sizes run from 3.5 × 5 to 22 × 30 in; it is in our $$ band ($5–20). - URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/strathmore-300-sketch-pad/ - Category: Paper - Author: Ellis Penhale - Published: 2026-10-22 - Updated: 2026-10-22 ![Strathmore 300 Series Sketch Pad, 9 by 12 in, closed and opened to a pencil sketch of a pear](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/strathmore-300-sketch-pad-16x9.png) *The 9 × 12 in pad, closed and open, drawn to scale; the cover artwork is simplified.* Original drawing (SVG): . Drawings © 2026 Stationery Times, reusable with credit under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ## Product facts | Product | Brand | Brand origin | Made in | Material | Released | Price range (typical US retail, October 2026) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Strathmore 300 Series Sketch Pad, 9 x 12 in, 50 lb, 100 sheets, wire bound (350-9) | Strathmore (by Strathmore Artist Papers, a division of Dixon Ticonderoga (F.I.L.A. Group); owned by Pacon Corporation from 2006 until F.I.L.A. bought Pacon in 2018) | United States | Not stated | 50 lb (74 g/m²) fine-tooth sketch paper, micro-perforated sheets, wire binding | 1974 | $$: $5–20 per ream or pad | - Made in (Strathmore 300 Series Sketch Pad, 9 x 12 in, 50 lb, 100 sheets, wire bound (350-9)): Not stated. Strathmore's product page and the Staples listing for the 350-9 don't state a country. Zoro lists the United States as the country of origin for 300 Series drawing pads, a related product, so the sketch pad is likely US-made, but we found no listing that says so for this pad. ## Key takeaways - Strathmore lists the paper at 50 lb (74 g/m²) with a fine-tooth surface for dry media. - The 9 × 12 in wire-bound pad (350-9) has 100 sheets that are micro-perforated and true to size once removed. - Strathmore makes 12 pads, from 3.5 × 5 in to 22 × 30 in; most hold 100 sheets, the 18 × 24 in wire-bound and 22 × 30 in tape-bound pads hold 30. - Strathmore ranks the 300 Series as Better, for beginning and student artists, below the 400 Series (Best). - Strathmore says it developed the 300 Series in 1974, when its Alexis line became the 400 Series. ## What is the Strathmore 300 Series Sketch Pad? **It is Strathmore's student-grade sketch pad: lightweight 50 lb paper with a fine tooth, made for practice, technique studies and quick drawings in dry media.** Strathmore describes it as suited to classroom experimentation. Strathmore grades its papers from Vision (Good) through 300 (Better), 400 (Best) and 500 (Premium). The 300 Series sits one step below the [Strathmore 400 Series Sketch Pad](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/strathmore-400-sketch-pad/), and Strathmore says it developed the 300 Series in 1974. ## Strathmore 300 Series Sketch specs | Spec | Value | |---|---| | Paper weight | 50 lb (74 g/m²) | | Surface | Fine tooth | | Media | Graphite pencil, colored pencil, charcoal, sketching stick | | Main size | 9 × 12 in (229 × 305 mm), wire bound, 100 sheets (350-9) | | Sheets | Micro-perforated, true size when removed (wire-bound pads) | | Other formats | Wire, tape and glue-bound pads from 3.5 × 5 to 22 × 30 in | | Made in | Not stated | All figures come from Strathmore's product page. Strathmore gives the 50 lb basis weight for 500 sheets of 25 × 38 in paper; in metric that is 74 g/m², about the same as 20 lb (75 g/m²) copy paper. That lightness is what lets Strathmore fit 100 sheets into a pad that stays thin enough to carry to class. ![Strathmore 300 Series Sketch pad sizes drawn to scale, from 3.5 × 5 in to 18 × 24 in](https://stationerytimes.com/images/strathmore-300-sketch-pad-sizes.svg) *The 300 Series sketch pad sizes up to 18 × 24 in; a 22 × 30 in tape-bound pad also exists.* ## Which size and binding should you choose? **Choose the 9 × 12 in wire-bound pad for class and home, 5.5 × 8.5 in to carry, and 18 × 24 in for big figure drawing.** Strathmore lists these pads: | Item | Size | Binding | Sheets | |---|---|---|---| | 350-3 | 3.5 × 5 in | Wire | 100 | | 350-4 | 4 × 6 in | Tape | 100 | | 350-6 | 5.5 × 8.5 in | Wire | 100 | | 350-9 | 9 × 12 in | Wire | 100 | | 350-11 / 350-14 | 11 × 14 / 14 × 17 in | Wire | 100 | | 350-18 | 18 × 24 in | Wire | 30 | | 350-109 to 350-118 | 9 × 12 to 18 × 24 in | Glue (flip-over cover) | 100 | | 350-22 | 22 × 30 in | Tape | 30 | Wire-bound pads let you fold the cover right back; Strathmore says the glue-bound pads have flip-over covers. ## What can you use on 50 lb sketch paper? **Use dry media: graphite, colored pencil, charcoal and sketching sticks.** At 74 g/m² the sheet is light, so markers, ink washes and watercolor are likely to bleed through or buckle it. For markers, use the [Canson XL Marker pad](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/canson-xl-marker-pad/); for mixed wet and dry work, the [Canson XL Mix Media pad](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/canson-xl-mix-media-pad/). Our [paper weight guide](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/paper-weight-gsm-explained/) explains lb and g/m². ## How does it compare to the 400 Series and Canson XL Sketch? **The 300 Series matches the [Canson XL Sketch pad](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/canson-xl-sketch-pad/) in weight, and the 400 Series is a heavier step up.** | | Strathmore 300 Sketch | Strathmore 400 Sketch | Canson XL Sketch | |---|---|---|---| | Weight | 50 lb (74 g/m²) | 60 lb (89 g/m²) | 50 lb (74 g/m²) | | Surface | Fine tooth | Fine tooth | Medium tooth, per Blick | | 9 × 12 in sheets | 100 | 100 | 100 | | Price band | $$ | $$ | $$ | Pick the 400 for drawings you want to keep, and the 300 or Canson XL for volume practice. See our [best sketchbooks](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-sketchbooks/) for bound options. ## Where is the Strathmore 300 sketch pad made? **No source we read states where the 300 Series sketch pad is made, so we list it as "Not stated".** Zoro gives the United States for 300 Series drawing pads. Strathmore began as a paper mill in West Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1892, and is now a division of Dixon Ticonderoga, part of Italy's F.I.L.A. group. ## Frequently asked questions ### What paper weight is the Strathmore 300 sketch pad? 50 lb, which Strathmore gives as 74 g/m². It is a light sketch paper meant for practice and quick studies. ### How many sheets are in the Strathmore 300 sketch pad? Most sizes have 100 sheets. The 18 × 24 in wire-bound pad and the 22 × 30 in tape-bound pad have 30, per Strathmore. ### Is the Strathmore 300 or 400 sketch pad better? The 400 Series is Strathmore's higher grade, with 60 lb (89 g/m²) paper; the 300 Series is lighter and cheaper, for practice. Choose the 400 for finished drawings and the 300 for daily sketching. ### Can you use markers on Strathmore 300 sketch paper? Strathmore lists it for dry media: graphite, colored pencil, charcoal and sketching stick. Markers and wet media are likely to bleed through 50 lb paper; use a marker or mixed-media pad instead. ### Are the sheets perforated? Yes. Strathmore says wire-bound sheets are micro-perforated and actual size when removed, except the small 3.5 × 5 in pad, whose sheets come off at the wire. ### Is the Strathmore 300 sketch pad acid-free? Strathmore's product page doesn't say, so we don't claim it. Check the cover of the pad you buy. ### Is the Strathmore 300 sketch pad made in the USA? Probably, but no source we read states it for the sketch pad. Zoro lists the United States as the origin of 300 Series drawing pads, and Strathmore is a US brand owned by Dixon Ticonderoga. ## Sources - [Strathmore: 300 Series Sketch (50 lb, 25 × 38 in × 500 basis, 74 g/m²; fine tooth; dry media; pad sizes, bindings and sheet counts 350-3 to 350-22; read October 22, 2026)](https://www.strathmoreartist.com/draw-sketch/300-series-sketch) - [Strathmore: History (1892 mill; 1974 300 Series developed; Pacon purchase; F.I.L.A. acquires Pacon)](https://www.strathmoreartist.com/about) - [Strathmore: The Strathmore Series (300 Series Better for beginning or student artists; 400 Series Best)](https://www.strathmoreartist.com/series-landing) - [Staples: Strathmore 300 Series 9 × 12 in Sketch Pad, 100 sheets (350-9; 50 lb)](https://www.staples.com/strathmore-300-series-9-x-12-sketch-pad-100-sheets-pad-350-9/product_2313407) - [School Specialty: Strathmore 300 Series Sketch Pad, 9 × 12 in, 50 lb, 100 sheets (UPC 012017350092)](https://www.schoolspecialty.com/strathmore-300-series-sketch-pad-9-x-12-inches-50-lb-100-sheets-223026) - [Zoro: Strathmore 300 Series drawing pad, 9 × 12 in (country of origin United States; related product)](https://www.zoro.com/strathmore-300-series-drawing-pad-top-wire-binding-50-sheet-9x12-inch-3pk-p340-9-03/i/G421733287/)