Bristol and poster board are not identical, although they are both fairly similar products. They’re both thicker and more sturdy than normal paper and, whilst Bristol board is designed for drawing and illustration, poster board is more often used for things like signs, displays, or craft projects.
In spite of the fact that they are not exactly the same thing, the two names are sometimes used interchangeably, particularly in Canada.
What is Bristol Board?
Bristol board is a heavy weight drawing surface which is made up of one or several layers of paper.
Artists often use Bristol board for things like:
- Pencil drawings
- Ink and markers
- Technical illustration
- Comic and manga art
- Coloured pencils
Two common variations are either a smooth surface or a slightly textured vellum finish.
What is Poster Board?
Poster board is a lightweight board which is designed for displays, signs, school projects, and general crafts. It’s usually sold in large sheets and is available in a variety of colours.
It works very nicely for things like:
- Posters and signs
- Presentation displays
- Children’s crafts
- Templates
- Collages
- Simple decorations
Poster board can sometimes have colour coated onto the base sheet, rather than having the same drawing surface and construction as artist-quality Bristol board.
Can You Use One Instead of the Other?
Yes, you can often substitute poster board for Bristol board in simple craft projects.
However, if you are going to be doing detailed artwork, poster board might not be the best replacement, as Bristol board usually provides a more detailed surface for ink, pencil, and markers to stick to. Bristol board is also better at withstanding things like repeated erasing.
Although Bristol board can certainly be used to make items like posters, keep in mind that it’s more expensive than poster board, and it may be sold in smaller sheets.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Bristol board when the quality of the drawing surface really matters.
Choose poster board instead if you need a cheap, colourful surface for a more basic craft project.
Manufacturers aren’t always consistent with their labelling, so ensure that you check the dimensions, surface, and thickness of a product before you buy.