When you're looking for a sketch book, you're really making decisions about three things: the paper itself, how it's bound together, and how many sheets you need. The Crehatos 9" x 12" Sketch Book, model SKETCHB02, is a 2-pack that offers 100 sheets per book with top spiral binding, but understanding what those numbers mean will help you decide whether it's right for you.

What Paper Weight Actually Means

The Crehatos SKETCHB02 uses 68lb/100gsm paper, which is the specification that tells you how substantial the paper actually is. Paper weight can be confusing because different regions use different measurements. In the US, weight is measured in pounds (lb), while most of the world uses grams per square meter (gsm). The 68lb and 100gsm measurements on this sketch book are equivalent ways of saying the same thing.

What this weight means in practice is that the paper has enough substance to handle repeated erasing and reworking without falling apart. Lighter paper—like standard printer paper—tears easily when you erase heavily or layer media. Heavier paper can take abuse. The 68lb/100gsm weight puts this sketch book in the mid-to-heavy range suitable for serious sketching rather than casual doodling.

Understanding Spiral Binding and Page Removal

The top spiral binding on the Crehatos sketch book serves two purposes. First, it lets you flip pages easily without struggling against a binding that wants to stay closed. Second, because the spiral is positioned at the top rather than on the side, both right-handed and left-handed artists can draw comfortably without their hand catching the binding.

An additional feature worth noting is the micro-perforated edges on the sheets. This means you can remove individual pages cleanly without tearing your finished artwork. If you're planning to frame, share, or submit your work, this matters. You're not forced to leave pages in the book just because they're bound in.

Matching Paper to Your Media

The fine texture of the paper in the Crehatos SKETCHB02 is deliberately designed to work with certain types of media and not others. Dry media—pencils, charcoal, pastels, colored pencils, and pens—work beautifully on this surface because the slight grain grabs the material and holds it in place. The texture gives you control and prevents smudging.

However, this paper is not suitable for wet media. If you work with watercolor, acrylic paint, or markers, the paper will buckle and the pigment won't behave the way it should. The page thickness and composition simply aren't designed for that level of moisture. If you use wet media, you need a different type of sketch book altogether.

Size and Sheet Count for Different Uses

At 9 inches by 12 inches, this sketch book is large enough for detailed work but still fits in a standard backpack or large bag. It's not so large that it becomes unwieldy for travel sketching, but it's not pocket-sized either. This size works well for figure drawing, landscape sketching, detailed studies, and architectural work.

The 100 sheets per book means you get substantial volume. If you sketch regularly, one book might last weeks or months depending on how much you draw. Two books in this package give you either a longer supply or an extra one to keep at home while you carry the other.

Care and Storage Considerations

The acid-free paper means your work won't yellow or degrade over time the way lower-quality sketches do. The hardcover and heavy backboard protect the pages when you're carrying the book around, and they help the paper lay flat even when you're sketching on your lap or on uneven surfaces.

Keep the Crehatos sketch book away from direct sunlight and moisture when not in use. The spiral binding should stay clean—occasionally wiping it with a dry cloth prevents dust from accumulating. If you remove pages, store them flat rather than rolled to prevent permanent creasing.

The Crehatos 9" x 12" Sketch Book, SKETCHB02, is designed for artists, students, and hobbyists who work primarily with dry media and want paper that can take reworking without degrading. If your needs fit those parameters, the specifications make sense for the price point.

The product in this guide: Crehatos 9" x 12" Sketch Book, Top Spiral Bound Sketch Pad, 100 Sheets Each 68lb/100gsm Drawing Paper, 2 Pack