Walgreen's Ology Copy Paper (Sugarcane/bamboo)

[fiberdrunk]

I've now tried 4 different sugarcane papers, so my review is by way of comparisons. They're all similar in performance when it comes to fountain pen inks and inkjet printing (virtually no bleed-through, little show-through, and little if any feathering). All perform well. Ology has the advantage of being available by the ream and in-store at Walgreens, which are plentiful in the U.S. (unlike Sustainable Earth and Sugarmade, which are only available by the case and online only). See below for more particular comparison details.

 

Weight: 20 lbs.
Brightness: 94
Sheet size: 8.5"x11"
Fiber: sugarcane and bamboo

Whitener: with H2O2, a non-chlorine based bleach
Package size: 400 sheets
Origin: China
Where to buy: Walgreens (online and in-store)

Price: $5.99/ream ($3.99 with Walgreens card)

 

Compare with other bagasse papers: Staples Sustainable Earth Copy Paper, OfficeMax Sugarmade Multipurpose and CVS Caliber 100% Tree-Free Multipurpose papers.

 

 

From smoothest to roughest:

1. Staples Sustainable Earth

2. OfficeMax Sugarmade (has an almost chalky toothiness compared with the others)

3. Walgreens Ology

4. CVS Caliber

 

Most show-through on the back (with a heavy Q-tip application of ink):

1. OfficeMax Sugarmade

2. Walgreens Ology

3. CVS Caliber

4. Staples Sustainable Earth

Brightest white:

1. Staples Sustainable Earth (cool-tone white)

2. OfficeMax Sugarmade (warm-tone white)

3. Walgreens Ology (grayish cool-tone white)

4. CVS Caliber (grayish warm-tone white)

Best Value When On Sale:

1. Staples Sustainable Earth @ .0074 cents per sheet (or $3.70/ream)

2. OfficeMax Sugarmade @ .008 cents per sheet (or $4/ream)

3. Walgreens Ology @ .01 cents per sheet ($3.99/ream)

4. CVS Caliber @ .01 cents per sheet ($3.99/ream)

 

 

Of all the bagasse papers mentioned on this review, I favor Staples Sustainable Earth (it's the cheapest and brightest and smoothest). But any fountain pen user will find Ology (or any of these papers) highly usable for their fountain pen usage. It's wonderful that more choices are becoming available to us. There's practically a Walgreens on every corner, so it's very nice to know it is not hard to find this paper.

 

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[Cerbervs]

Great I need to go to staples for FP friendly copy paper!

Edited August 10, 2013 by Cerbervs

[PJohnP]

Fiberdrunk,

 

 

Another great review ! Kudos to you.

 

And yes, getting this paper by the ream instead of the box allows FP users a bit less excess in their paper storage. Folks should note that these reams are 400 count, not 500 as for some other copy paper. You, Fiberdrunk, did note this in the summary and, more importantly, factor this in with your cost per page comparison.

 

 

 

John P.

[BernNgoof]

I bought the Walgreens Ology paper based on recommendations and I loved it ... until I put it in my printer and printed my letterhead on it. The heat from the printer does something to the paper and when I write on it afterwards there is feathering. Has anyone else experienced this? Do the other papers you suggested have this problem? Does anyone have suggestions?

[MisterBoll]

I got some of the Ology paper and find it interesting that the (fountain pen) ink gets absorbed into the paper in a way I've never seen. For certain things this paper works but I'm thinking for (computer) printing I'll be using something else.

[LinnT]

Hello

I have the Ology paper and had run a few sheets through my laser printer to experiment with lines, grids, and dots. I went back and looked at the test sheets and the scribbling I had done on them. In my case, using F and EF nibs, mostly with iron gall ink, I do not see any feathering. It pretty much looks like sheets not run through the laser printer.

 

I think some of the more FP friendly paper has been treated (sized) which limits the ink spreading. I do not know if that is the case with Ology paper, but if so, maybe the heat of the printing process does something to the treatment. It might be possible your printer heats the paper more than mine, so we see differences. Totally a wild guess on my part.

[MisterBoll]

Makes sense. I do like this paper - it's very different.

[BernNgoof]

Thanks Fiberdunk! Your paper comparisons saved me time and money!

[fiberdrunk]

I bought the Walgreens Ology paper based on recommendations and I loved it ... until I put it in my printer and printed my letterhead on it. The heat from the printer does something to the paper and when I write on it afterwards there is feathering. Has anyone else experienced this? Do the other papers you suggested have this problem? Does anyone have suggestions?

 

Is yours a laser printer? I use an Epson inkjet printer and haven't noticed this.

[fiberdrunk]

Thanks Fiberdunk! Your paper comparisons saved me time and money!

 

You're welcome!