Burning Post #7

Most people use watercolor paper (140lb. or 300lb.) for pyrography. Pyrographers use both cold-pressed (textured) and hot-pressed (smooth) watercolor paper. Watercolor paper burns around the same or slightly lower temperature as Basswood.

Pyrographers also have different preferences as far as how much cotton the paper contains. Watercolor paper is sold as 100% wood pulp, or 25% cotton rag (the rest wood pulp), or 100% cotton rag. Typically, watercolorists prefer 100% cotton rag because the paper withstands manipulation with wet paper longer, allowing for techniques such as lifting or scraping the watercolor or adding multiple layers. If you are going to burn images and then add watercolor, you may want to consider a higher cotton content.

I presented a program at the Southeastern Pyrography Association for burning paper and had the members test burn different types of watercolor paper, as well as other types of paper. It was interesting how varied the opinions were about preference for different watercolor papers—cold-pressed vs. hot-pressed, and varying amounts of cotton rag. My advice is to try a sample pack of watercolor paper (available at art supply stores) to see which types you prefer.

Other types of paper to try is Kraft paper (available as sheets, cards, and formed products such as boxes with lids), and handmade natural papers (available as rice paper or handmade paper with flowers, plants parts, etc.). Avoid papers with lots of color or non-burnable products such as metallics. Thinner papers use a much lower heat setting. Depending on how thin the paper is, you may need to avoid the skew tip so it does not cut right through the paper. If the paper is very thin, keep all pens moving so you don’t burn through it. Test your tips and heat setting on a scrap sheet. Use safety respiratory protection when burning the Kraft molded products.

After you burn your paper pyrography, you can frame it, make cards, or create something out of it like the paper fan project I had printed in an old Pyrography magazine (issue # 6). I’ve also created paper lanterns out of handmade papers, so the light illuminated through it. Use electric tea nights instead of actual flames in paper lanterns.

Before starting to burn paper, clean and polish your pyrography pen tips. Otherwise, you may be smearing carbon buildup into the paper fibers, and the tip will not slide across the paper easily. Klingspor’s Woodworking Shop sells my Cleaning & Polishing kit that comes with instructions (item # PWA001).

For more information about pyrography get my book, Quick-Start Woodburning Guide (item # FX00848), available at Klingspor’s Woodworking Shop, both in stores and online at woodworkingshop.com

The Catawba Valley Wood Carvers’ annual competition, partnered for the 2nd year with The Southeastern Pyrography Association (SEPA) at the Klingspor’s Woodworking Shop Extravaganza on October 18, 2025.

There were 3 Divisions in the competition: Novice, Intermediate, and Open and several Pyrography categories in each Division including:

• Wood (includes painted and unpainted subcategories)
• Leather
• Paper
• Gourds
• Miscellaneous (canvas, cork, bone, tagua nuts, artists conk mushrooms, hats, etc.)
  

The Southeastern Pyrography Association (SEPA) welcomes guests of all levels of experience to attend our meetings at the Klingspor’s Woodworking Shop in Hickory, NC. We will meet in January on the first Saturday (weather permitting) from 11:00-1:00 (new time). Our meeting usually consists of a short program, followed by burning the rest of the time. We have burners available if you don’t have one. We have professional guest presenters demonstrate for us each quarter. Dues are $20/year and joining gives you access to our private Facebook group with videos of our programs and a 10% discount on most items at Klingspor’s Woodworking Shop (in-store and online). Come to our meeting as a guest and check us out! If you have any questions, contact us at: SEPA.pyrography@gmail.com