My Pastlemats arrived in 6 work days after placing my order. They were carefully wrapped in plastic and were received in perfect condition. As an experiment I tried a new color of pastel paper called Sanguine which was accurately pictured on line. I also received an assortment of Richison pastels. Again they were beautifully packaged and arrived in perfect condition. I will definitely order from Dakota again. Wish you were located in Philadelphia!

Always has material I need. Very cheerful sales reps. Quick delivery. My supplies are packaged for shipment very carefully.

PastelMat is my go-to paper for pastel painting. It grabs and holds layers, needing no fixative. The new colors are yummy — especially Sanguine! The one thing I thought as I just opened Dakota’s package, though, is of the amazing care taken to ensure sheets arrive in perfect condition, unscathed from shipping. It’s a happy day when Dakota’s PastelMat order arrives!

I just received my new order of PastelMat sheets and am always impressed with the condition of the everything you ship! Most exciting was seeing the new Sanguine paper color which I started using immediately. Love it! I've tried many kinds of pastel paper but PastelMat rises about all others in terms of holding layers, the ability to take water and alcohol beautifully, and the ease of repurposing a sheet by brushing off the pastel and brushing on a thin layer of alcohol — economically creating a fresh new useful sheet!

i work with pastel pencils. This is my go to surface. i prefer the dark grey.

As usual, cheerful and knowledgeable April was able to help me get what I wanted after I explained my situation to her. She was quick to explain my options and accommodate my needs. She is a treasure.

I really like how PastelMat takes the pastel and how many layers I can apply. I intended to buy the new Pad Number 7, but they were backordered so I ordered larger sheets in the new colors. They're great!

Thank you so much for getting me the PastelMat Sheets in time for a workshop I was having. When I realized I did not have enough PastelMat for everybody and could not find any locally I called your store. The person who answered said that the FedEx driver was due to arrive any moment. she literally ran to the warehouse to get the product and got it out with that day's shipment. It was the best customer service I have ever experienced anywhere!!!!!

For certain projects I prefer Pastelmat. I've used it often for portraits of pets, which has become very popular. For those portraits I do use some pastel pencil (various brands) and it takes the pencil well.

I love all the products I buy from Dakota and their service is the BEST! I wouldn't buy elsewhere. Everything always arrive in perfect condition due to their wonderful packaging department and they have the best prices anywhere!! Thank you to everyone at Dakota Art for the perfect shopping experience!

Arrived promptly and was packaged with great care.

Am a loyal fan of LaCarte Pastel Card sheets, as I know that surface and feel comfortable. Then I tried Uart in a workshop with Eileen Casey, and learned how to create underpaintings with that surface. Recently, my teacher, Alain J. Picard, used PastelMat for some demos. I was skeptical at first. Now I am a fan! The surface is incredible and unique. It doesn’t feel as toothy as Uart or LaCarte but it allows a lot of layering! I like the different tones available from Dakota Pastels, and love the brown and maize for portrait work. Recently received a delivery of PastelMat from another art supplier and it arrived damaged, all 5 sheets had a bent corner! Your careful work in packaging PastelMat sheets for delivery, matters. Always quality customer service from Dakota, artists can count on that!

For the past few months I've been working on LaCarte pastel paper. While I still love working on that surface, I found it does not afford the flexibility with regard to using alcohol or other wet media that pastel mat does. I've started my first piece using this paper so the jury is still out. Stay tuned.

My go to pastel painting surface. Not very but holds layers of pastel. Nice range of colors. Sometimes there is a pattern on the surface but not bad enough to stop.

The sheets I ordered are the largest size. They arrived with the corners a bit damaged. They are still usable, so no worries on that front. Im wondering if there isn’t a way to put something to protect corners when packaging. I have purchased supplies from many art suppliers and so far, you guys are doing the best when it comes to shipping pastels and paper safely. Thank you for taking good care of me.

It works as advertised. I bought it because it was used in pan pastel videos. I had recently purchased a set of pan pastels, and wanted to use them with my hard and soft pastels. I was surprised and pleased with the way the paper holds the soft pastels. My first framing did not show any dust falling on my white mat.

For certain applications, there is nothing quite like PastelMat. The smooth surface is deceptive in that it takes many layers of pastel. It actually requires many layers in order to blend colors. But once you get used to that, the fine finish just is unparalleled. It's perfect for detail work on animals, people, and still-life. It is best with hard pastels followed by softer ones for blending and finishing. It is especially effective with pastel pencils. The quality is consistent and the packaging from Dakota is extremely protective. I highly recommend this product.

I have only used this type of paper a few times. Looking at it, you wouldn’t think that it would hold pastel like it does - layer after layer after layer! And, as usual, Dakota takes such care with their shipping packaging that everything arrives in perfect condition. Thank you, Dakota, for your consistent great selection and service!

Great customer service!!

I absolutely love Pastelmat for my pastel pieces. It holds the pastel without having to use spray fixative so that the colors stay fresh and bright.

Beautiful paper to draw on.

Nice colors. Smooth with great holding power.

Thanks, Crew! The PM sheets arrived safely and it's no surprise. Your packaging technique is the best! I first learned of this product when you first started carrying it at your store. It has been my Go-To ever since. 🙏 Jan

The quality of PastelMat is wonderful for painting using soft pastels. The sheets are great for cutting your own sizes, easy to cut.

Takes many layers, from soft pastel to pencil and allows pencil easily over soft pastel. Easier on fingers than sanded paper. Takes some blenders but not others, i.e. cannot use cotton or some foam blenders but works with fine foam tip applicators & blenders such as tissue or paper towel. Very hard to erase so plan ahead!

Love it...and I have to say huge thank you for the fast shipping and also for securely packaging all the items.

The quality of the sheets looks very good. They were packaged in an excellent way to protect them. Delivery was fast

I have been buying from Dakota Pastels for a while one of my favourite support for my pastel painting. They arrive with no damage. Pastel Mat allows many layers of pastels. Love this support!

Perfect sheets, I was impressed! They came so well-wrapped that it took me 10 minutes to get to the sheets themselves. I am certainly happy and will be back for more pastel needs.

Pastelmat sheet are absolutely the best ground for pastels, bar none. I have been experimenting with a gouache under painting prior to pencils and it handles that wet medium perfectly.

I am a pastel and colored pencil artist. This paper can be used with both mediums with great results! Even though I love the sanded types of papers and boards, this is always what I come back to. It doesn’t really feel like it’s textured but it holds layer after layer with no worries at all! It handles dry and wet under paintings without damage. I get the big sheets and cut to size, mount on foam core, then create. Dakota pastels have been great so far. They are careful with the packaging for mailing, I've always received the paper in pristine condition and fast! Even during the Covid crisis. If you’re looking for a great paper, don’t hesitate. It’ll bring your art to the next level. It even comes in a lot of great colors❤️

As for the pastelmat paper it is my favorite and best paper for pastels. This review is more for Dakota pastels. It is great they only deal in pastels. When shipped they do not skimp on protecting the product. And they ship fast which I really like. A special note about “April” in customer service, she is extremely pleasant and knowledgeable. That goes a long way with me.

Came when it was supposed to......packaged perfectly.

still trying to figure out if I like this. Used to a more sanded surface and noticed after a couple layers colors started to come off if I used a harder pastel. Could be a good thing. The color was nice. can't erase any sketch though.

PastelMat is my choice for the hardest pencil to the softest piece of pastel. I can get fine detail or soft dreamy marks. I prefer the large sheets because I can cut to size or paint large. This surface is perfect.

These are the very best pastel sheets I have ever used. Hold more layers of soft pastel than even sandpaper, and are easy on your fingers as you blend! The colors are excellent, but showing through and covered!