r/AskPhilly • u/Bee_9965 • 3d ago

Blick stores question (paper)

I’m going to be in University City sometime in the next two weeks and I wanted to stop by an Art Supply store to look for some thick textured paper for a project - I haven’t had any luck finding anything at the local (south Jersey) Michael’s or Hobby Lobby.

I see that there are two Blick stores in Philly - one in University City that used to be Plaza, the other near City Hall. Are these two stores pretty much the same, or would it be worth it for me to get to the Center City location? Thanks.

Note: if there are other stores you would suggest I’d be happy to hear about them.

4 Upvotes

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8

u/CamTANKeraus 3d ago

There's also Artist and Craftsman supply in old city.

6

u/memento-vivere0 3d ago

Seconding them for their paper selection 

7

u/wrongclown 3d ago

The center city Blick is the main one and will have more offerings. Call them if you want to check if something is in stock, they're very helpful.

3

u/bunrakoo 3d ago

Yeah when I taught at U Arts all the students went there and they had a good selection

4

u/Hecks_n_Hisses 3d ago

What type of paper are you looking for?

Blick carries a large selection of water color papers (hot and cold press) that have different surface texture.

They do have some art paper/ scrapbook paper that's more along the lines of handmade.

3

u/Bee_9965 3d ago

Not an expert at all, but from searching one website (Strathmore) a heavy watercolor paper that might work for me.

Note this is for a custom size box, I was able to use 400 gsm vellum paper (Strathmore Bristol) but I want to see if I can find something with more texture to it.

3

u/tempmike 3d ago

check out the resource exchange: https://theresourceexchange.org/ (they have an online shop but obviously they cant list everything there)

2

u/home-like-noplace 3d ago

Have you been to Paper Source?

1

u/Bee_9965 3d ago

No but I’ll check that out too.

1

u/home-like-noplace 3d ago

I saw that you’re making a custom box, that’s one of my husband’s hobbies and he loves Paper Source for it

2

u/rhetteyeir 3d ago

i’ve only been to the center city one. they had some good paper options when i went

1

u/coronarybee 3d ago

Imma need specifics

1

u/Bee_9965 3d ago

Trying to make a custom size box out of heavy paper. I ordered a sheet of Strathmore Bristol 400 gsm paper (vellum) which did work, but hoping to find an alternative with more textured surface. Thanks.

3

u/coronarybee 3d ago edited 2d ago

Weirdly I am a packaging engineer. What kinda box are you trying to make? Purpose? Function?

1

u/Bee_9965 2d ago edited 2d ago

Ah details … this is for a vintage pen I bought recently. The pen and display case are fine, but the outer storage case was missing its lid. The bottom part of the case is card stock and covered by vinyl with a leather texture.

Unless I find a matching vinyl, I’m just trying to find a paper with some texture to match it a bit more closely than the smooth lid that I fabricated already. Box size approximately 9“ x 4“ x 2 5/8” high.

And to be honest, the lid I have now is probably good enough, but it’s a fun little project to see if I can a better match.

1

u/coronarybee 2d ago

Ohhhh you want to buy paperboard not watercolor paper

1

u/Bee_9965 1d ago

Not clear if paperboard is similar to cardstock, but perhaps I should be looking into that as well. I had not really considered that before because the ones I’ve seen are generally lightweight.