Our main goal is to produce high-quality and cruelty-free products. Creating Premium sketchbooks means making sure that we’re acquiring the best possible materials and that our clients know exactly what has been used to bring their sketchbooks to life.

Transparency is our domain. We’re not a corporation, so there’s no secrecy; we’re always happy to share the components of our sketchbooks; from paper through threads to glue and covers. There are very specific reasons behind our choices: all the elements come from manufacturers with a long history and experience in their field. The fact that our suppliers meet strict ecological requirements as well as ensure an ethical environment means a great deal to us.

We’re attaching all the components that we use and the description of the brands, below.




THE PAPERS

FABRIANO

Fabriano Kovalsketchbooks

fabriano.com/en/

In KOVAL Sketchbooks we use:

FABRIANO ARTISTICO:
Artistico is a watercolour paper made with 100% cotton produced with mould made process, a special industrial process that reproduces the typical characteristics of hand-made paper, which is why it is also called “manomacchina”. Today Fabriano enhance the value of its “Artistico” paper thanks to an enhanced quality and a presentation appropriate to its reputation. Here are the highlights of this paper: improved surface sizing, stronger surface, 4 deckled-edges, fixed-point watermark, Vegan Friendly product.

“Artistico” paper represents the culmination of eight centuries of Fabriano papermaking tradition.

    

FABRIANO 5:
The absence of acid guarantees the inalterability over time of the paper. Ideal for watercolour, tempera, gouache, acrylic, ink, charcoal, wax, graphite, felt-tipped pens, drawing and printmaking (etching, lithography and silk-screening), announcements and invitations. The watermark (only on sheets) reproduces the Fabriano logo and the inscription “50% COTTON”.

The new features implemented in Fabriano 5 Enhanced exalt the characteristics of “Fabriano 5” through salient aspects that distinguish this paper: 4 deckled-edges, new surface sizing formulation that facilitates colour lifting (colour removal), surface more resistant to repeated brush strokes, Vegan Friendly product.

The Fabriano Disegno 5 paper is mould made of a valuable mixture of cotton (50%) and accurately selected raw material.

   

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ST CUTHBERTS MILL.

Saunders Kovalsketchbooks

www.stcuthbertsmill.com

In KOVAL Sketchbooks we use:

SAUNDERS WATERFORD:
Saunders Waterford® is an exquisite watercolour paper, traditionally made on a cylinder mould machine. This is the superior quality watercolour paper made by St Cuthberts Mill and comes with the Royal Watercolour Society’s endorsement. Made using 100% cotton, the highest quality papermaking material, to high archival standards. Each sheet is buffered with calcium carbonate to help defend finished pieces of work from discolouration caused by acids present in atmospheric pollution.

Its attractive surface is created using natural woollen felts that give it a distinctive random texture. The surface is sized in gelatine making it strong and resilient to scrubbing, and other rough treatments.

   

BOCKINGFORD:
Bockingford® is a beautiful English watercolour paper, traditionally made on a cylinder mould machine at St Cuthberts Mill. This is a high quality paper made using pure materials to archival standards.

Its attractive surface is created using natural woollen felts that give it a distinctive random texture. Appreciated for its excellent colour lifting abilities. This is an extremely forgiving watercolour paper valued by professional and amateur artists around the world. Bockingford® offers quality watercolour paper at an affordable price.

  

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ARCHES FRANCE

Arches Kovalsketchbooks

arches-papers.com

In KOVAL Sketchbooks we use:

ARCHES AQUARELLE:
Made on a cylinder mould (traditional process): quality close to that of paper made by craft methods. The slow turning of the cylinder enables the fibres to be deposited evenly and spread in all directions over the wire. The fibres are distributed evenly, the paper slackens uniformly when wet, giving the artist more control. This process can produce papers with a high grammage and exceptional resistance to scratching and erasing, when they are gelatin sized to the core. Only papermaking on a cylinder mould can produce paper with deckle edges.

Its 100 % long cotton fibre composition gives the paper its beauty, a natural, lasting whiteness and an inimitable touch as well as strength.

Exclusive to ARCHES®, gelatin sizing to the core preserves the lustre and transparency of the colours whilst preventing paints from penetrating into the paper. It allows superposing of washes and gives it added strength to resist erasing and scratching without tearing or linting. It also allows paints to be removed, either wet or dry, easily revealing the whiteness of the paper. ARCHES® Aquarelle can absorb a large amount of water with limited deformation.

  

OTHER COMPONENTS:

SYNTHOS ADHESIVES

 www.synthosgroup.com

In KOVAL Sketchbooks we use:

Papermax CR Lux:
is a white-colored dispersion adhesive based on polyvinyl acetate aqueous dispersion with performance additives. It creates flexible and highly resistant, colorless bond. It does not crumble when the glued surfaces are bent. It is a quick bonding product intended for gluing normally absorbent papers and cartons.

  

BALACRON COVERS

"Balacron International is a globally operator in the field of cover materials.
With more than 90 years' experience, our company has a solid foundation created by the combination of in depth knowledge and expertise in production processes, craftsmanship and the latest technological innovation. As a result, we have the largest collection of cover materials in the world in both vinyl and textile; colours are rich and true with striking and realistic textures, and always high quality. Our design studio and professional R&D team  continuously seek new applications and groundbreaking design, leading to a collection that is forever evolving with regular new additions.  We will continue to inspire and surprise our customers with contemporary cover materials; drawing from our experience but always looking to the future."

"Balacron International has existed since 1926, and in the 90 plus years that have followed have created a strong foundation for the future. We combine extensive in-depth knowledge of production processes with craftsmanship and the latest technological advancements. An unparalleled combination as we were the first producer of vinyl-coated paper in this market and offer a total package of cover materials in both vinyl and textile."

The materials are non-phthalate, FSC certified and REACH-compliant.

Take a tour on BALACRON homepage: www.balacron.com

In KOVAL Sketchbooks we use:

Spectrum PELLANA covers
Type of coating PVC with waterbased inks and topcoat
Certifications FSC® certified: FSC-C141806, Non Phthalate

Heritage FIGARI cover
PVC with waterbased inks and topcoat
Certifications FSC® certified: FSC-C141806, Non Phthalate

   

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STITCHES:

ARIADNA

ARIADNA S.A. Fabryka Nici is a Polish enterprise, present on a textile market for more than 100 years. Rich traditions, systematically modernized and developed machines as well as the latest technologies applied in manufacturing processes are only some advantages of our Company. High product quality and professional management make ARIADNA one of the biggest thread manufacturers in Europe.

ARIADNA's products are applicable in many different branches of industry. Always ready to meet the market expectations, our Company has created a wide range of colours and a variety of thread thicknesses and types.

For many years ARIADNA has been specialising in haberdashery and curtain tape production. Our Company offers a variety of quilted fabrics as well as provides fabric quilting and yarn dyeing services.

Take a tour on ARIADNA homepage: ariadna.com.pl

In KOVAL Sketchbooks we use:

Ariadna TITAN 80 cotton threads

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BERKLEY

Berkley®-branded Superlines are made from the highest grade Dyneema™ in the industry, a gel-spun polyethylene that is 15 times stronger than steel by weight. Superline is undeniably the best line for tensile strength, and its thin diameter allows lures like crankbaits to run deeper with the same breakstrength as Mono but less letback. Add to its many advantages its stealthier presentation, its ability to stand up to abrasion, and its superior floatation, making it perfect for topwater lures.

Take a tour on BERKLEY homepage: www.berkley-fishing.com

In KOVAL Sketchbooks we use:

Berkley FIRELINE
Berkley TRILENE
Berkley WHIPLASH 8