AIRBRUSHES: What's the difference between double-action and single-action airbrushes?

Single-action airbrushes are activated by pressing down on the trigger button; a preset amount of paint is automatically sprayed. To change the amount of spray, you must stop airbrushing and reset the needle adjustment screw. These are recommended for students because they are often less expensive than double-action.

When you press down on the trigger of a double-action airbrush, only air is released; the second action of drawing back on the trigger releases the paint. This dual-action -- down, then back -- enables the user to adjust the volume of spray without stopping and simply by manipulating the trigger.

Strathmore Artist Papers provides the following explanation: Rag is a term used today to describe papers containing cotton rags and linters. Rags come from the clippings used in the making of textiles and from the reprocessing of cotton garments. Linters are the by-product of the cotton gin process. They are shorter fibers that cling to the cotton seed after removal by the cotton gin. This makes cotton rag a more environmentally friendly option compared to tree-based papers.