Southworth Or High Quality Staples Paper

[Poetman]

I have a credit at Staples and want to buy some nice writing paper with it. I have read the threads on Southworth resume and Parchment paper and can tell they would not suit me. I do not like paper that causes my pen to write dry. Can anyone recommend a Southworth paper that performs better with FPs? I tried their 32lb 100% cotton resume paper, and that was WAY too thick for a FP. I tried their Antique laid paper, but it had a raised finish, which created a bumpy writing experience. Has anyone used their Business paper? I noticed they have both a 20 and 24lb weight. Even their 20lb felt heavier than standard 20lb copy paper. I would love some suggestions. If a brand besides Southworth comes to mind, feel free to suggest. The only stipulation is that I need to purchase it from Staples.

Thank you all!

[NCGibbon]

Staples sells HP 32# Premium paper, buy that and make yourself happy.

[Poetman]

I am looking for Southworth or similar options.

[Tryek25]

I bought a ream of Neenah Classic Crest 24# recently and was pleasantly surprised. It has some feedback but not a ton. Doesn't suck my pens dry either, though I write with an EF. I cut them down to half-sheets and glued into pads for note taking at school. Couldn't be happier.

[Poetman]

any thoughts on Southworth?

[Tryek25]

I have two reams of it stashed away somewhere in the house that I haven't used in ages. One was for resume paper back in college and the other was a going away present from a great papermaker I knew. I'll see if I can dig it up when I get home this weekend and let you know. I do recall that the sheets were "wove" so not very smooth. I'd expect tons of feedback. Not sure on the dryness.

[Poetman]

Looks like Neenah, who distributes a bunch of subsidiary brands, sells to Staples--my options just expanded

 

http://www.neenahpaper.com/finepaper/morebrands

[Legal Eagle]

Hey Poetman,

 

I really like the Southworth 25% cotton paper 24lb.

It's not uber smooth like Clairefontaine, Rhodia, or Tomoe River paper, but still pretty darn smooth, it just feels nice. I like that it's thicker and ever so slightly textured; also easily aquired. I chose the white over the Ivory, and I'm glad I did as it's crsip shows the colour of your ink nicely. I highly recommend this paper.

I also bought some of the 100% cotton 32lb resume paper, and don't like it. http://www.staples.ca/en/Southworth-100-Cotton-Resume-Paper-32-lb-8-1-2-x11-White-100-Pack/product_365516_2-CA_1_20001

It's not as smooth, and makes your pen write drier(read. scratchy). I don't recommend it.

Edited March 6, 2015 by Legal Eagle

[Poetman]

I tried some Southworth 25% cotton, 24lb paper and was disappointed--maybe it's because it had an Antique Laid finish? It wasn't as bad as the 32lb 100% cotton, but it still made my pen too dry.

 

The standard 20lb staples brand or similiar seems to work well for me me--I'm pretty sure that's what the unidentifiable ream in my desk is. I also use a cream colored Astrobright brand 20lb, which is fine. I just want to try a higher end paper.

[Poetman]

Legal Eagle,

 

Have you tried the Hammermill 32lb paper about which everyone raves? I am curious how it compares to the Southwroth 32lb paper you didn't like.

[Runnin_Ute]

Have used Southworth Granite Specialty paper -25% cotton w/watermark. 90 gsm/24 lb.
Pretty good. Try it. Comes in 100 and 500 sheets and gray or ivory/cream. Matching envelopes are available.

 

Would be willing to send you a few sheets if you like. Just PM me.

Edited March 8, 2015 by Runnin_Ute

[Poetman]

Maybe the 32lb is too stuff...though I'm not sure why the 24lb 25% cotton laid paper was equally disappointing. I order some Neenah samples and will share my thoughts.

[Legal Eagle]

2nd Edit.

 

I just went back and tested out the Southworth 25% business paper a few minutes ago. It does in fact cause the nib to feel fairly dry, I actually didn't like it. I guess the last time I used it was about a year ago, and with a wet nib.

Sorry for the misleading info I gave you earlier.

Edited March 7, 2015 by Legal Eagle

[Tryek25]

I tested the Southworth wove resume paper 25% cotton, and it had a ton of feedback while also making my pen run a little dryer than usual. I probably wouldn't use it daily. I still love the Neenah much more even though it has no cotton content. If you are interested, I could send along half sheets of both paper. I also have 32# HP premium choice if you are interested that could be sent along. PM me to let me know.

[Poetman]

Tryek,

 

Thank you for your kind, generous offer! I'm awaiting some Neenah samples already and plan on asking Staples for a sample of the Hammermill 32lb paper. Though, I would like to know why the Hammerill doesn't feel dry like the 32lb Southworth paper? Also, what Neenah paper do you like?

[Tryek25]

I have the Classic Crest - Solar White 24# - Smooth Finish. HP Premium Choice is not the same as Hammermill LaserJet 32Lb. All three have different sizing formulations. Also the smoothness of the Premium Choice and the LaserJet is going to be much higher compared to the Classic Crest. These two things will have a huge effect on how the paper takes the ink. Also, the filler content is lower on the Classic Crest.

[Poetman]

Regarding the Neenah sample:

 

I received a beautifully packaged sample! It came with a paper box I was hoping to procure through this purchase, so this gesture--and the generally packaging--was more impressive than the paper. I sample some of their laid and classic paper and found both unmemorable. Aside from the watermark and various shades, the paper was actually less impressive than the cream colored Xerox 20# paper I currently use.

 

 

What is the infamous 32# paper everyone seems to recommend around here: HP or Hammermill? Also, what do you mean when you say that the Premium choice HP is smoother than the Crest paper? Or, at least, why is it smoother? I thought paper from a stationery company would perform better than copy paper. To what does filler content refer?

 

Thanks!

[AppendixC]

The 32# paper that receives the most recommendation is the HP Premium Choice Laser: http://www.staples.com/HP-Premium-Choice-Laser-Paper-8-1-2-x-11-Ream/product_397160

 

Filler content refers to the various chemicals and minerals besides wood pulp that are used to make the paper. Fillers do things like add strength to the paper, help with ink adhesion, alter the color of the paper, change paper pH, etc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_chemicals

Different papers have different recipes of pulp and fillers, resulting in different performance characteristics.

[Poetman]

Thank you for the replies, everyone. Am I right to assume, then, that cotton content will dry out a pen? I like the look of laid or wove paper, and even the feel of the 25% cotton, but none of these qualities seem FP friendly. What, then, should I look for if I want a relatively smooth--though nothing excessive--natural white paper?