Drawing and Painting on Synaps® Synthetic Paper

By Jim Hingst

Synaps® OM and Synaps® PS synthetic paper are fantastic surfaces for pencil drawings and painting with some water based paints. Because the base material is 100% polyester, Synaps® is a very dimensionally stable media. Even after painting with several layers of acrylic paint, the sheet lays flat with no deformation. 

The opaque matte surface of Synaps® synthetic paper looks and feel like traditional paper. When used as a drawing medium,  it performs better in my opinion. Here’s why I like it. When you draw on it, the drawn lines are crisper and don’t smudge. However, when you make a mistake, the lines erase cleanly with no ghosting. The coated surface of the material also allows you to build up dark values as shown in the sketch below. 

Although Synaps® synthetic paper works well when drawing with graphite pencils, pastels are too abrasive and will wear right through the top coating.

I have also experimented in painting on Synaps® synthetic paper with several water-based paints, including Ronan Aquacote bulletin enamels, Createx Auto Air Colors™ automotive airbrush paints and Liquitex® soft body and heavy body acrylic paints.  Synaps® features a robust top coating that anchors the paint to the surface of the medium.  Unlike illustration board that absorbs the water in the paint or ink causing the sheet to bow, Synaps® is a polyester synthetic paper that is water resistant.  When you paint on it, it stays flat.

In testing the compatibility of Synaps® synthetic paper with Liquitex® soft body and heavy body acrylic paints several thick layers of paint were applied.

Synaps® synthetic paper is a great alternative to paper and illustration board for drawing and painting. In addition, because this media is comprised of a durable polyester base, your artwork will withstand the test of time compared to other media comprised of natural fibers.

Available in 5 mil, 8 mil, 10 mil and 14 mil
thickness, Synaps® synthetic paper is an
excellent medium for either drawing or painting.

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About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.

Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer.  Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.

Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for  publications, such as  Signs Canada, SignCraft,  Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and  Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 485 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published.  Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon. 

Slides of Jim's Artwork

© 2016 Jim Hingst