Tracing paper is a fun, versatile material that comes in handy for a number of creative projects. You can use it to practice drawing, transfer sketches, make patterns, and more. You can even use it for origami. It’s also an awesome way to get kids started in their drawing journey. Tracing paper can come in a variety of weights and sizes, so we've compiled a list of our favorites to help you make the right choice for your needs. Crayola Tracing Paper Pad Trustworthy TracingYour kids will trace the day away with this quality pad.Best OverallFind on Amazon Crayola lives up to their reputation with this tracing paper pad that holds a whopping 150 sheets. The paper is a standard 25 lb and measures 8.5″ x 11″, making it the perfect size for tracing from printer paper or printing on. Since the sheets are transparent, this paper works great with a light-up tracing pad, but you can also use it on its own. With excellent quality, quantity, and value, it’s no wonder that Crayola’s Tracing Paper Pad is our pick for the best overall tracing paper. Pros: Large quantity of sheets in each pad Great value Can be used with an inkjet printer Great for children Cons: Might not be up to the standard of professional artists Strathmore 370-9 300 Series Tracing Pad Just the Right SizeYou’ll be able to find a tracing pad for projects of any size.Best Large SizeFind on Amazon This tracing pad series by Strathmore comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from 9″ x 12″ to 19″ x 24″, so you’ll be sure to find one that meets the need of even your larger projects. This pad comes with 50 sheets of acid-free, 25 lb. tracing paper. The paper’s smooth surface makes it perfect for mastering tracing techniques. It’ll work great for tracing images, sketching, and making preliminary drawings. Especially for those who plan to trace larger illustrations, this tracing pad by Strathmore will not disappoint. Pros: Great value Can be used with an inkjet printer Good range of sizes Cons: Could be a little too opaque for some projects Might not be up to the standard of professional artists Bienfang Sketching & Tracing Paper Roll Rock 'n' RollYou won’t run out of tracing paper anytime soon with this roll.Best Bulk BuyFind on Amazon If you’re planning on using a great quantity of tracing paper, then the Bienfang Sketching & Tracing Paper Roll is a great option for you. It comes in a variety of sizes, from 20 yards x 12″ to 50 yards x 36″, so you’ll be sure to find one that works for you. This roll is great for both professional and personal use, and it’s a popular choice for architects, designers, and engineers. This paper is able to be used with a variety of drawing mediums, including pencil, pen and ink, and markers. Whether you’re looking to buy tracing paper for you or your kids—or both—this roll is a great option to get a quality trace. Pros: Large quantity Great value Professional quality Cons: Might be too thin for some projects Dowsabel Thick Heavy Duty Vellum Tracing Paper Superior StrengthWith this tracing paper, you won’t ever have to worry about tears again.Best Heavy DutyFind on Amazon The Dowsabel Thick Heavy Duty Vellum Tracing Paper has superior thickness and quality, with a weight of 68 lb. It’s much less likely to tear during use than lighter papers, and it’s also great for printing. Each set comes with 50 sheets of tracing paper you can use with a variety of mediums, including pencil, marker, and ink, or choose to print from your computer using laser or inkjet printers. If your child tends to draw with a heavy hand, or if you’re looking for tracing paper that can be used with a printer without any fear of wrinkling, then this durable tracing paper by Dowsabel is the choice for you. Pros: Very heavy-duty Durable against tearing/piercing Won’t wrinkle during printing Great value Cons: Ink may smudge after printing Ueerdand Carbon Tracing Paper Carbon CopiesIf you want your traces to come out extra-crisp, this carbon tracing paper is the one for you. Best Carbon Tracing PaperFind on Amazon This option is a little different from the others, in that it isn’t made up of transparent tracing paper. Rather, it’s a carbon tracing paper. This means that the sheets are black, as they are already covered in carbon. Simply use a hard, pointed object to transfer a design or illustration to an underlying sheet. Conveniently, this set by Ueerdand comes with five embossing styluses on top of their great quantity of 200 sheets of carbon transfer paper. This option is great for woodworking or projects that require darker, crisper lines. Use this carbon transfer paper with canvas, paper, wood, glass metal, ceramic, clay, and more. Pros: Dark, crisp lines Comes with tracing tools Great quantity Great value Cons: Can be messy Not appropriate for use with fabrics Frequently Asked Questions What kind of projects can I use tracing paper for? Tracing paper can be used for many different types of projects. It can be an excellent way for younger children to develop their fine motor skills by tracing over illustrations and designs that already exist. For older kids and adult artists, it can be used to transfer sketches to canvases. It’s also a great choice for sketching, origami, pattern making, woodworking, photography overlays, and so much more. The possibilities are endless with tracing paper, making it a superbly versatile material to have around the house and classroom. What qualities should I look for in tracing paper? One thing you should consider is how thick the paper is. Thinner tracing paper generally has the advantage of being more transparent, making it easier to see what you’re trying to trace. Thinner paper is also great for sewing patterns, as they are easier to pin to fabrics. However, if tracing paper is too thin, it could tear or be pierced more easily by pens and pencils. If you are heavy-handed in your drawing and writing, you might want to use tracing paper with a heavier weight. If you plan to print onto your tracing paper, a thicker paper may be easier to print with.