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Bristol paper is used for printing documents, brochures, promotional materials and envelopes. It is also used for paperback book or catalog covers, file folders, tags, and tickets. One-ply bristol is thin enough to be translucent, and two and three ply bristol are the most popular thicknesses.
Bristol board is used for technical drawing, illustration, and other two-dimensional art forms. It provides two working surfaces, front and back. This quality separates it from illustration board, which has only a front working surface. The surface texture is either plate or vellum. Plate finish is as smooth as glass, and it is very good for pen and ink. Vellum finish is a medium texture more appropriate to friction-based media, such as crayon, chalks, or charcoal.
Engravers or wedding bristol paper may be used for formal engraved wedding invitations.