Canson fine art and drawing paper

Canson is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious manufacturers of fine art paper. The company was founded in 1557 by the Montgolfier family in Annonay, France. For centuries, Canson has been the choice of legendary artists, including Degas, Picasso, and Matisse. The brand is famous for inventing the hot air balloon (the Montgolfier brothers utilized their paper-making expertise) and for creating tracing paper and high-quality drawing surfaces.

Today, Canson continues to produce its high-end archival papers in France, emphasizing traditional techniques combined with modern sustainability standards. The brand caters to students, enthusiasts, and professional artists alike, offering products ranging from school drawing pads to museum-grade watercolor papers.

In 2016, Canson was acquired by the Italian group F.I.L.A. (Fabbrica Italiana Lapis ed Affini). This acquisition integrated Canson into a global portfolio of art supply brands, ensuring its distribution and heritage are maintained on an international scale while keeping its core production identity rooted in French craftsmanship.