Characteristics of coating color penetration into paper were elucidated using various types of pulps and pigments. A commercial paper, KP and TMP handsheets were used for base paper. Clay and GCC were used as coating pigment. Laboratory rod draw down coater was used for coating application. Coating color penetration was evaluated by measuring the roughness of surface and back side of a coating layer. The results of coating roughness showed that clay was much better than GCC as a coating pigment. In case of pulp type, KP base paper was more effective than TMP base paper to reduce coating penetration.