Staples Bright White - Which Is More Fountain Pen Friendly?

[mitchjg]

Staples has a 50% off sale on paper, if you buy by the case or 1/2 case. And, unless you are ready to spend $150, you need to buy in the store.

 

Given I want 24 lb paper, I think I have concluded I have 3 choices, both being Staples "Bright White":

 

being multipurpose (22 lb) laser (28 lb) or inkjet (24lb).

 

Which do you believe will be more fountain pen friendly. The most important feature to me is "no line bloating", after that it is smoothness.

 

Thoughts?

Edited October 3, 2009 by mitchjg

[Anne-Sophie]

Staples has a 50% off sale on paper, if you buy by the case or 1/2 case. And, unless you are ready to spend $150, you need to buy in the store.

 

Given I want 24 lb paper, I think I have concluded I have 3 choices, both being Staples "Bright White":

 

being multipurpose (22 lb) laser (28 lb) or inkjet (24lb).

 

Which do you believe will be more fountain pen friendly. The most important feature to me is "no line bloating", after that it is smoothness.

 

Thoughts?

 

 

I cannot tell you anything specific about any of these because I use recycled paper exclusively.

 

 

If I were you, I would buy one ream of each and try them.

 

Then rush to buy a box or two of your favorite.

 

You can use the ones you don't like in your printer or give them away to family members for homework, list, artistic endeavor such as origami or markers/crayons drawings or fill up paper for pencils or rollerballs.

 

If you know of a non profit which can use the paper you don't want, give it away to them.

[dizzypen]

If I'm not mistaken, Staple will give you a sample of its papers for you to "try before you buy." You might want to ask customer service.

[Mr Rob]

I recently tried the Multipurpose (22 lb.). I didn't notice any line bloating and it's reasonably smooth with my F nibs, not so smooth with an EF nib. It's not that the surface is rough, it's more like an excessive drag or friction. The dryer and/or finer your nib is, the more you'll notice this. Still, it's not bad.

 

In the copier/printer paper category one of the better ones I tried was Georgia-Pacific Spectrum Premium Multipurpose. It was on sale at a local Office Depot several months ago, but I haven't seen it since.

 

As others have said, try before you buy any significant quantities. If you do happen to try and compare all three, please report back your findings.

[Iziem]

I actually happened to get a ream of the Staples 22lb Bright White Multipurpose paper today. I'm looking for an alternative now that I've learned that they no longer stock their 24lb Printing Paper. I loved the Printing Paper because it performed well, but also it had near-immediate drying time. Had I known they were going to stop stocking it, I'd have gone out and bought a box.

 

But anyways, the 22lb was okay, but I didn't like it for my own use. There was very little bleedthrough or feathering which was good, but the dry time was on the slow side (Noodler's HoD/Nikita mix in Lamy 2000 took up to 10 seconds, Noodler's HoD in Lamy steel M nib took 2-5) Also, I agree with Mr Rob that the paper seemed to have a very slight tooth to it, which my remaining 'Printing Paper' does not. It wasn't at all bad, but it wasn't the replacement paper that I was looking for. I may return it tomorrow and see if I can get some samples from them before my next purchase (didn't know I could do that.) Their return policy on paper is very good with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and last time I returned paper, they were very pleasant about it.

 

(edited to clarify the 'slow drying time')

Edited October 17, 2009 by Iziem

[bphollin]

...laser (28 lb)...

 

Which do you believe will be more fountain pen friendly. The most important feature to me is "no line bloating", after that it is smoothness.

 

Thoughts?

I buy the 28# Laser Bright White when I can. Good to know it is on sale. I'll have to see if I can swing that. It is great for fountain pens. If anything, it makes the line thinner, not wider. It is very smooth.

[hookem11]

I have read somewhere on these boards (cannot find the thread) that inkjet papers have some type of clay coating that can clog up fountain pens. FYI only

[Neill78]

As hookem11 said, some inkjet papers are not good with fountain pens. Photo inkjet paper especially should be avoided (this comes from experience). You will always be safe with laser or multipurpose. My own experience is that laser paper is usually a bit smoother and less prone to feathering and bleed-through, but of course it all depends on the brand/quality of paper.

 

I'd be surprised if the two papers you are considering haven't been reviewed already. Try searching the forum to see before you buy!