Utility Paper : InkJet or Other?

[Sandy1]

Hello,

 

I finally need more utility paper. I use it for letters & notes that are ephemeral - no need for laid finish, watermark or archival properties.

 

Inks are the general business fodder: Visconti Blue, Herbin EdS, MB BlBk, R&K Verdegris.

Nibs are <F> & <M>.

 

As a ream has lasted me nearly 3 years (!), I'd like to know:: Is ink jet paper (HP, Xerox, etc.) still preferred over general 'copy paper' for FP use?

Other suggestions?

 

OBTW, the few $ difference between the two types is not a factor in the decision.

 

Examples:

General : http://www.staples.com/Staples-50-Recycled-Multipurpose-Paper-Ream/product_756972?cmArea=SC1:CG10:DP1424:CL140691

Ink Jet : http://www.staples.com/Staples-Bright-White-Inkjet-Paper-8-1-2-x-11-Ream/product_733332?cmArea=sku_pd_box1

 

Best Regards,

Sandy1

[markc]

Hi Sandy1,

 

I think its been covered here before, but I don't recall where.

 

I think the inkjet paper is something you want to likely avoid if you're going to be writing on it with fountain pens. I personally found that I got VERY odd results with inkjet papers... Like on one side it works just fine, but on the other, you get major feathering, almost like writing on blotter paper.

 

I think the papers listed for laser printer might be better for general fountain pen use.

 

I'm sure it also depends on the weight, like 20lb vs less. The heaver the paper, the better it is in general.

[smk]

FWIW I use PaperOne All Purpose paper that works fine in my inkjet printer and is suitable for writing with fountain pens - so much so that I used this paper for a couple of journals I stiched for myself and have not had any problems writing on it with any of my pens (even the very wet writers like the Marlen).

 

I should clarify that this is not the case with other inkjet paper I have used in the past - just with this one brand.

[dizzypen]

The HP Premium LaserJet paper is fabulous! I have the 24lbs, which is perfect for my needs as it shows no bleed through or feathering with the vast majority of my pens and inks, but it also comes in 28 and 32lbs. I would avoid the 20lbs.

 

I've only ever had one InkJet paper and I hated it. There was something about the way it was made that had my writing coming out spotty.

Edited February 22, 2010 by dizzypen

[Sandy1]

Hi Sandy1,

 

I think its been covered here before, but I don't recall where.

 

I think the inkjet paper is something you want to likely avoid if you're going to be writing on it with fountain pens. I personally found that I got VERY odd results with inkjet papers... Like on one side it works just fine, but on the other, you get major feathering, almost like writing on blotter paper.

 

I think the papers listed for laser printer might be better for general fountain pen use.

 

I'm sure it also depends on the weight, like 20lb vs less. The heaver the paper, the better it is in general.

Hi,

I agree that it seems that it was covered before, but I couldn't find a Thread.

Also, I wanted to see what the current wisdom is - things can change so fast. (Recall the Bagasse fiasco.)

I'm looking at 28 lb.

Bye,

S1

[Sandy1]

FWIW I use PaperOne All Purpose paper that works fine in my inkjet printer and is suitable for writing with fountain pens - so much so that I used this paper for a couple of journals I stiched for myself and have not had any problems writing on it with any of my pens (even the very wet writers like the Marlen).

 

I should clarify that this is not the case with other inkjet paper I have used in the past - just with this one brand.

Hi,

Congrats on finding a 'general use' paper that was good enough to bind - impressive! Hmm. Makes me wonder if this was a lucky 'one off'. Well, I'll see if I can find a sample of that paper.

Bye,

S1

[Sandy1]

The HP Premium LaserJet paper is fabulous! I have the 24lbs, which is perfect for my needs as it shows no bleed through or feathering with the vast majority of my pens and inks, but it also comes in 28 and 32lbs. I would avoid the 20lbs.

 

I've only ever had one InkJet paper and I hated it. There was something about the way it was made that had my writing coming out spotty.

Hi,

OK, it seems that inkjet has little support. So that's out - big 'X'.

So now we're into 'Other' paper.

I do like to specify a paper, so that I can be sure we're on the same page. (ErrHmm)

 

So, is this the stuff (even though this is 28 lb.) ?? :

http://www.staples.com/Laser-Paper-Paper/StaplesCategoryDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&identifier=CL140783&catalogIdentifier=2&filterTypeAttribute=1107,1108,1455,1456&reset=true&1107=3020&1108=3027&1455=&1456=4425

 

Bye,

S1

[dizzypen]

Sandy,

 

Your link did not work for me, but this is what I have: HP LaserJet Paper 24lb.

[Sandy1]

Sandy,

 

Your link did not work for me, but this is what I have: HP LaserJet Paper 24lb.

Hi,

Link worked for me, and so did yours.

Yes indeed, that's the stuff. If you reckon that's 'fit for purpose', and not a scr*w-up, then I'll go for it.

Best Regards,

Sandy1

[dizzypen]

Sandy,

 

Your link did not work for me, but this is what I have: HP LaserJet Paper 24lb.

Hi,

Link worked for me, and so did yours.

Yes indeed, that's the stuff. If you reckon that's 'fit for purpose', and not a scr*w-up, then I'll go for it.

Best Regards,

Sandy1

 

Sandy, sorry I missed this post.

 

I definitely recommend the HP LaserJet paper as a good cheap paper for "utility" writing as you put it. The question is really what weight you want.

 

I like the 24lb because I can also use it as printer paper without much trouble and also because it isn't so heavy. The vast majority of my inks do not bleed or feather at all. But, the trade off with this weight is that extremely wet writers will cause slight bleeding (like little blood spots every now and then). For maximum security against bleeding of any kind you should probably look at 28lb instead.

 

HTH

[Merrib]

HP Premium 24lb is the way to go. You will get good results in both your printer

and using Fountain Pens.

 

Bob

[bluemagister]

The 24lb HP premium papers are expensive unless you can get them on sale. I'd recommend Staples copy paper (the cheap stuff) or their normal 96 brightness copy paper in the 20lb size. You'll get notes on there, the paper's nice and bright and if you toss your writing, you won't feel bad. Avoid Hammermill inkjet papers (they feather) and I think that Office Depot's copy paper isn't as good as Staples.

[Sandy1]

Hi all,

 

I picked-out the HP LaserJet paper in 24 lb; and on the way to the till, I noticed they had el-cheapo 16 lb generic copy paper on sale, but it was Legal. I thought a sec, then realised I still correspond with people & Co.s in countries where A4 is used, so I bought them both, then had the Legal cut to A4 ($4 @ $2/cut)

 

I did a quick sample - cant call it a test - with my workhorse office pen & ink: a Parker Sonnet <M> & Quink BlBk.

The HP looks quite alright, certainly not Clairefontaine or G Lalo, but certainly fit for purpose. 7/10.

The 16 lb didn't fair so well. The lines were not tight (feathering), and there was some bleed through. To use this paper, I'll need to go single-sided (there goes any economy of the light weight), and use dry inks - not any old ink; or use a dry writing pen. 5/10.

 

Many thanks to those who contributed & participated. FPN's good, yes?

 

Best Regards,

Sandy1

[charlescolp]

I understand that I am using a wet pen (Noodler's Ahab) with a wet ink (Baystate Blue) but with all of these I am getting so much feathering and blotchiness that I haven't been able to print pictures to add to my research notebook (Clairfontaine 1951 A5) without all added notes looking like a hot mess. Has anyone else found a paper that will truly look decent with a wet fountain pen or am I stuck with using a fine point for all research work involving inkjets?

[WaskiSquirrel]

I love Baystate Blue, and like the Ahab. But, I discovered that this was not a good combination except maybe on the absolute best paper. I now use Baystate Blue in a TWSBI 540 EF and everyone is happy. It also works very well in a Platinum Preppy.

 

ETA: I found HP Premium 24 lb LaserJet paper to be a very good paper with most fountain pens and inks. I purchased it after Baystate Blue moved out of the Ahab, so I can't comment on that combination.

Edited August 8, 2014 by Waski_the_Squirrel