Bristol board

[3][4] Bristol board may be rated by the number of plies it contains, basis weight, or, in Europe, by its grammage of 220 to 250 g/m2.

Bristol paper is used for printing documents, brochures, promotional materials and envelopes.

It is also used for paperback book or catalog covers, file folders, tags, and tickets.

Plate finish is as smooth as glass[citation needed], and is very good for pen and ink.

Vellum (or kid) finish is a medium texture more appropriate to friction-based media, such as crayon, chalks, or charcoal.