Bristol board is a type of heavy, high quality paper which was originally produced in Bristol, England in the early 1800s for the purpose of painting, illustrating, and drawing. It continues to be used for all of these purposes, along with the production of post cards, wedding invitations, technical drawings, illustrations, and a wide variety of works of art. Many art supply stores carry Bristol board and can order specialty products by request, and it is also possible to order numerous types online.

Manufacturers of Bristol board usually state the heaviness of the paper in terms of “plies,” referring to how many layers of paper have been sandwiched together to make the Bristol board. Three-ply Bristol board, for example, is heavier than two-ply. However, the thickness of the plies can vary, which means that the number of plies isn't the ultimate measure of how heavy and thick the paper will be.

The surface of Bristol board can vary. Historically, it was extremely smooth, but today, companies make it in a range of textures for use with different media, including highly smooth, vellum, and rough. Abrasive artist's tools like chalk and pencils tend to work better on rough Bristol board. This paper is also designed to be used on both sides, in contrast with illustration paper, a similar product which is only one-sided.

Grades of Bristol board may also be described in terms like “wedding,” “printing,” “mill,” and “index.” People who are not sure about which kind would be most appropriate can request samples from a paper mill to see how different types look and feel. This is especially strongly recommended to people printing invitations and announcements on Bristol board, as they do not want to ruin the effect of the finished piece by using the wrong paper. Many printers and graphic designers have paper samples available, for people who do not want to contact a paper mill directly.

When buying this paper product, consumers should be aware of the difference between archival and non-archival versions. Archival paper is designed to last for a long time and to hold the images printed, drawn, or painted on it. It is low in acid or acid-free, and when handled properly, it can endure for an extended period. Non-archival paper will tend to yellow, crack, split, and warp over time. For projects which are going to be preserved, it may be better to purchase archival quality Bristol board, although it is slightly more expensive.