For many fountain pen users, choosing a high quality paper is just as important as choosing which pen and ink to use. If you’ve never given much thought to the paper you write on, hopefully this article introduces a whole new dimension to your writing. In this article, I’ll introduce some of the basic paper concepts, as well as make a few brand recommendations for the best paper for fountain pens (jump there now).
Paper Size and Weight
If you’re an American, you’ve probably heard of legal and letter paper sizes (and if you’re not an American, you can probably safely skip this section), but if you’re new to paper, you might find some of the different paper sizes a little confusing. For example, there’s A4, A5, B4 and B5. How do you know which is bigger and which will work best for writing? Well, here are some links that are a great reference for the A and B measurements. In the “A” link, you can also see how legal and letter sizes compare.
Notice how the dimensions of each larger number are half the size of the smaller number. That means a sheet of A4 paper is equal to two sheets of A5 paper. While larger numbers mean smaller paper dimensions, as you go up in alphabet letter from A to B, the paper dimensions increase. That means a sheet of B5 paper is larger than A5 paper.
Ultimately, the sizes you find the most often are A4 and A5. Most loose-leaf paper and notepads come in these sizes. While you can find some quality paper in letter size, the majority of the best paper for fountain pens will be either A4 or A5.
The A5 journal (top) is half the size of the A4 notepad (bottom)
Paper weight refers to its thickness. You might see a lot of different measurements for paper weight, including a measurement in pounds. Just look at this page that shows how many different ways paper weight might be measured. As you might notice, if you see a paper weight that’s measured in pounds, it can be hard to tell how thick it actually is. In order to avoid any confusion, the most universal measurement is GSM (grams per square meter). Not coincidentally, you’ll find most quality paper is measured in GSM.
If you use 8.5″x11″ copy paper, you’ll probably find the weights measured in pounds. On the chart I referenced, that is the Bond Weight. So, if you enjoy using the amazing HP Premium32 paper, it has a 120gsm paper weight. Compare this to something like Tomoe River, which has a weight of 52gsm, and you can see how much variance in thickness there can be in between different types of quality writing paper.
10 sheets of HP 120gsm paper (left) are much thicker than 10 sheets of Tomoe River 52gsm paper (right)
Paper Quality
Let’s go ahead and talk now about paper quality. Of course, using quality paper will have the biggest impact on your writing experience. If you use paper that feathers and bleeds with fountain pen ink, your writing will not look very nice and could actually be difficult to read. If you use paper that your nib does not glide across smoothly without getting snagged, you won’t enjoy writing on it.
There’s more to paper quality than just working well with fountain pens. You’ll also need to decide what qualities you want your writing and writing experience to have. Do you want to use a heavier weight of paper to lend a little more substance to your writing? Do you want a paper that accentuates your ink’s sheen? Do you want an ultra-smooth paper or one that offers a little feedback when you write?
Another paper quality consideration is whether to use paper that is made out of wood pulp, cotton or a blend of the two. Paper with a cotton content is typically considered to be the most durable and archival, but not everyone prefers it. Unless you have specific needs for the archival quality of your paper, the choice between which type of paper you’ll like best entirely comes down to personal preference.
Intended Use
The way you intend to use the paper will also make a difference. If you plan to write letters or use notepads or loose-leaf paper, you’ll have some different options than if you plan to write in a notebook or journal. Some quality notepad paper manufacturers, such as G. Lalo, don’t make bound notebooks or journals. Some notebook manufacturers, such as Leuchtturm1917, don’t make notepads. Some, such as Rhodia and Midori, make both notepads and notebooks. This is something to keep in mind if you go looking for products from your favorite paper company… they might not be available in every style you want.
A notepad (left) has loose sheets of paper you can tear out. A journal (right) is like a book.
Paper Cost
The cost of the paper you choose can be a big factor. While you can easily buy an inexpensive spiral bound notebook or ream of 500 sheets of cheap copy paper without spending a lot of money, that paper is not something you’d want to use with your fountain pen. High-quality paper is going to cost you a bit of money. Of course, no where near what you’d expect to pay for a good fountain pen or even a bottle of ink, but you might be surprised at what paper can cost.
One of the most popular papers amongst fountain pen users is Tomoe River. If you choose a pack of 50 sheets of their 68 gsm paper, you’ll pay about $0.37 per sheet. Compare that to a ream of basic copy paper where each sheet costs about $0.01. That is a significant difference in cost! Of course, this is an extreme example, but chances are you’ll be paying closer to Tomoe River prices than cheap copy paper prices for good paper.
For journals and notepads, it’s the same story. A quality notepad might cost $5-$15, while a journal or planner can cost significantly more. If you think about it, it makes sense to spend the money on a high-quality journal or planner. These are items that you’ll be using every day, so having quality paper that leads to a good writing experience should be a high priority.
The Best Paper For Fountain Pens – Recommendations
Now that you know what makes a paper good for fountain pens, I’ve got a few recommendations. Keep in mind, there are many different types of paper out there and the best way to figure out which is best for you is simply to use them. With that being said, here are a few of my favorites:
– Midori Paper: Midori is probably my favorite overall paper. It has a good weight and feel, is smooth to write on but does offer a little bit of feedback, and shows shading and sheen very nicely. It also comes in both notebooks and loose-leaf paper.
– Tomoe River 68gsm Paper: Tomoe River has attained an almost-legendary status amongst fountain pen users and I consider myself a fan as well. Not only is Tomoe River the paper king of sheen, it is also quite smooth and doesn’t bleed through. This is very surprising considering how thin it is. This thinness is also important to me since I’m able to use it to write to my pen pals who live in other countries without spending a lot of money on postage. I do personally prefer the slightly heavier 68gsm paper compared to the 52gsm paper, which I feel is just too thin to have an amazing writing experience.
– HP Premium32: HP Premium32 paper, while maybe not the most exciting paper you can buy, is some of the most affordable fountain pen friendly paper around. It is one of the first papers I reach for when I need to jot something down.
– Rhodia Paper: Rhodia is a great all-around paper. It is high-quality, relatively inexpensive, easy to find and comes in pretty much any option you desire (notebooks, notepads, planners, journals).
Interested in trying some of these papers before buying an entire notebook? Head over to my shop and pick up a paper sample pack.
| Paper Type | Read My Review | Check Price |
|---|---|---|
| Midori MD | Midori MD A5 Notebook |   |
| Tomoe River | Tomoe River 52gsm |   |
| HP Premium32 | HP Premium 32 |   |
| Rhodia | Rhodia Dot Pad |   |
Comments 37
Hi John,
This is my first visit to your site after getting your email. I had a very good read through your “paper” article, I learned a few things and enjoyed the article.
Thank you, I will be back!
Geof Dunn
Smiths Cove, NS
Canada
Author
Hi Geof,
Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of time here! Glad you found the article helpful and hope you enjoy future articles.
Thanks!
John
John,
What is the Japanese advert in your picture? I’ve seen it in the last few articles, and it looks really cool!
Author
Hi Francisco, it’s actually the cover of my Midori notepad (and was the main reason it caught my eye in the first place). Isn’t it great?
Thanks for the article. I didn’t know about Midori. How is Rhodia paper with shimmering inks?
Author
You’re welcome! Rhodia works well with shimmering inks. It doesn’t show as much sheen as some other papers, but it shows shimmer just fine.
Just wondering. What are the names of all the notepads and journals featured. Also what would your recommendation be for papers that best accentuate sheen?
Author
In the first image, there is loose-leaf Tomoe River, Mnemosyne spiral bound, Fabriano Eco-Qua, Rhodia notepad and Midori writing paper. The next images show a Taroko Enigma notebook and a pad of G. Lalo Verge de France.
A few of the best papers to accentuate sheen are Tomoe River and Life Noble.
Thanks for your article.
What is your recommendation for inks on Tomoe River Paper?
I would like one that lasts longer (letters that wil be kept for several years) and dries fast.
Author
You’re welcome, Gilberto. In my ink tests on Tomoe River paper, Noodler’s LIberty’s Elysium and Noodler’s 54th Massachusets both dried quickly and were very waterproof. I haven’t tried some of the other inks that are recommended for archival quality, so I can’t comment on their dry time.
Hi, John. This is very helpful. I am new to fountain pens so I’m still experimenting to see what I like. (I’m using a Pilot pen with a medium nib). The first paper I purchased is Tomoe River. (Not sure which weight). I’m disappointed, but perhaps I’m looking for something different in a paper than most fountain pen users are. For me, the Tomoe River paper is too thin and “hard.” Here’s where I apparently want something different from most others: I think I’m looking for a softer, weightier paper that does a better job of “taking” the ink. I certainly don’t want the ink to bleed, but I prefer the paper to take the ink in a way that creates a slightly wider/thicker impression on the page than I’m experiencing with the Tomoe River. Honestly, I prefer the “feel” of my fountain pen and the impression it leaves on the page when I’m writing on a standard legal pad. With that paper I feel I can write more gracefully; with the Tomoe River I feel like my writing looks like chicken scratches.
Do you have any suggestions for other papers I might try? Thanks much.
Author
Hi Kent. I’m glad you found it helpful! The Tomoe River paper is indeed thin and I know what you mean by it being “hard”. While it’s an amazing paper that shows off the properties of ink, it’s not the most enjoyable to write on. If you’re looking for a notebook, I’d suggest you try the Fabriano EcoQua. If you’re looking for a notepad, I’d suggest the Life Bank Paper. Neither of these has the very slick and hard feel that lots of the premium papers have, but they both handle ink very well and are a pleasure to write on. The Life Bank Paper is not the same as other Life papers, so if you buy a Life Noble Note notebook, while it is some of the best paper around, it is not the same paper as the Bank Paper.
Thanks, John!
Hello John,
I was wondering if you have any suggestions for an inexpensive loose or tablet paper that I can use JUST for practicing my handwriting skills. Archival not needed, I just need something that has a good feel for my medium nib Lamy Safari fountain pen, one that won’t break the bank.
Author
Hi Craig,
I would suggest you pick up a ream of the HP 32lb Premium LaserJet paper (which can be purchased online for around $13 or in retail stores for under $20). It is very fountain pen friendly and is a joy to write on with most nibs. One ream (500 sheets) should last you a very long time, especially considering it is thick enough you can use both sides of a sheet.
Happy writing!
Hi I am
Using 32lbs HP paper , but the sheet is heavy , would you recommend a second choice , A thinner paper than this ?
Author
Hi Luis, there is always the HP 28lb paper, but I don’t like how it handles ink as much as the 32lb.
Rhodia is too shiny for me. It is like it rejects the ink.
The 52g Tomoe River is too thin, in terms of imprinting the writing on the next sheet. It is not a problem of ink going through the paper, it is only the mechanical scratch that passes by. I will be try the 65g when I will find it somewhere 🙂
Midori is fine. I have a light yellow notebook and I would like to also try a white one.
Leichturm is dull. No reason to say why, but it does not impressed me at all.
From all these papers I love TR the most. I only have to get used to not press the fp/nib too hard. Just let the pen fly over the paper and I get the most amassing results. The colors are fantastic, there is no feather effect, a pure pleasure to write on it.
Author
Dan, that’s interesting about Rhodia. I’ve heard a few other people say the same thing, but have never experienced it myself. TR is definitely a wonderful paper to write on, especially when you can let you pen glide across the surface and not worry about the thickness of the paper.
HI John, Fellow Coloradan here wondering if there is anyplace on the Front Range you can recommend to visit to try papers first-hand.
Steve
Author
Hi Steve, good question. There aren’t many places around here that have a great selection of fountain pen friendly paper. In the Denver area, Meinenger has a decent selection of paper, but I don’t know that you can actually try out much of it. I’ve heard Two Hands Paperie in Boulder has quite a bit, but haven’t been up there in years. Other than that, I don’t have any other recommendations.
John, helpful article, thank you. @artbypino
Author
You are most welcome, Pino. Thanks for reading!
Wow, thanks for this article, I’ve been looking for one that would help me out in my new notebook (hoarding) hobby, which just so happened to begin after I started owning fountain pens. 😂
Author
It’s funny how those two things go together, isn’t it? Glad you found it helpful!
Thanks for a good article, I’m still writing on duke sized paper, since my letter writing case is a fifty year old leather British writing case, and that’s the size of paper it takes.
For casual letters I’m getting by with Basildon Bond but, thanks to your suggestion, I know how to up my game now.
Author
You are most welcome, Alex. Hopefully you can find some new papers that will work with your writing case. Happy writing!
I appreciate this article, as I am a complete newbie to the world of fountain pens. I have a question about the HP premium32 paper. I can’t write straight on blank paper to save my life. If I were to print a page with extra bold lines on it, would this HP paper be too thick to see the lines through for a guide? Or would i be better off either printing some very lightly ghosted lines on the paper, or pencil them myself? Any help would be appreciated.
Author
Glad you enjoyed it, David. Chances are you wouldn’t be able to see a guide through the HP32, at least not enough to be useful. I would suggest either printing or a pencil. Or if you could backlight the paper, then you’d be able to see a guide through it. Good luck!
Thank you so much for all this information! I’m a poet and have not found the world of high quality paper and notebooks until now. Much appreciation for all your energy and effort! If you have some time and space, I would love to know who makes the green notebook in the picture in the “Paper Size and Weight” section. It has at the base of it an infinity symbol of rope. It has, “Premium Fountain Pen Paper” just above the infinity symbol.
Peaceful journeys…
Sam
Author
Hi Sam, thanks for reading! I’m glad you have finally discovered the joys of paper and are finding my site useful. The notebook you ask about is made by Taroko Shop and is the Enigma: https://www.etsy.com/listing/725110826/enigma-a5-dotted-notebook-with-tomoe?ref=shop_home_feat_1.
Happy writing!
John
What is the page count of the Enigma notebook? The description didn’t seem to mention it, at least not that I could tell.
Author
The one I have is 300+ pages, but I don’t know exactly how many. They’re big notebooks.
Thank you much. I ‘preciate it.
Hi,
Do you sell your products to overseas? Pointless of me to buy if you don’t.
Author
Hi KC, if you’re asking about my paper sample packs, I do sell/ship them to countries other than the USA.
Awesome, thank you for responding. But, yeah, my wording was off lol.