Paper For Stationaries

[JLZenor]

I want to start writing letters again, but I don't know what kind of paper I should get to write on. I hear a lot of talk about Clairefontaine but mostly I just find notebooks, not stationary. At least not in stock.

 

What paper is good to use with a fountain pen for this?

 

Thanks.

[Notgatherox]

I would recommend a trip down to your local stationery store.

 

If you don't have one in the vicinity, check out the various online stores like Goulet, JetPens etc. (no affiliation)

 

Having said that, we can get to the paper recommendation.

 

Clairefontaine Triomphe is one of the best letter writing papers out there for smoothness. It's a white coloured paper, glassy smooth. 80gsm.

 

If white isn't your kind of thing, go for the ivory coloured Rhodia R premium. 90gsm paper. Normal Rhodia is 80gsm and white too, though not as bright as Triomphe.

 

If you like textured paper, go for G. Lalo or Crown Mill paper.

 

The Japanese paper like Maruman, Muji is not bad too.

 

Me personally, I buy a ream of 100gsm paper for myself to use.

 

 

 

~Epic

[Intellidepth]

I have some ivory G Lalo deckle edged note cards, they are lovely to look at and feel, but not particularly wet-pen friendly (not my batch anyhow).

 

I am still looking, but have found that Quill (Australian) makes not only a great smooth paper for fountain pen friendly letter writing that can be bought by the ream in many colours and printed on, but also great 600gsm card stock (found that out last week). I'm going to check out their in-between card stock weights soon to see if I can adapt them into good looking notecards as the 600gsm was pretty impressive. I've cut the 600gsm into ink analysis cards, a bit like the small mnemosyne books some FPNers use.

[BillZ]

I use paper from American Stationery. Two different sizes. Takes ink well and reasonably priced, at least I think so.

[JLZenor]

I had no idea there would be stores devoted to stationary. I'll have to look into that. I know we have a Hallmark store, maybe they have something.

 

Anyway, thanks for the feedback everyone.

[LindaM]

Alos, Nanami has some cool writing paper and envelopes:

 

http://www.nanamipaper.com/categories/writing-pads-from-japan.html

[fountainpenlady]

C.R. Gibson. They have a website. They offered a really nice discount at the time. I purchased two boxes; purchased the plain paper version, no design. Currently, I have three active pen pals. In my past, I briefly collected wooden stamped images. On the 'Bay several weeks ago, I purchased about 12 different colors of ink pads. As a result, I can decorate my envelopes, paper uniquely when I write to each person.

Edited April 12, 2015 by fountainpenlady

[graystranger]

The Clairefontaine Triomphe stationary comes in notepad form, two sizes. It has a lined top sheet that you put under the next blank sheet so you can see the lines ghosting through. You tear off each page from the pad. The envelopes come in two sizes for the stationary pad.

 

Expensive, but the surface is wonderful, takes the wettest inks from the broadest nibs without any bleed through. Some inks may be slow drying on this paper, but I love it and it is my main stationary paper for fountain pens. I also use some of the resume papers, like Crane and Eaton. They work well, but don't have the wonderful surface of Clairefontaine Triomphe. I buy mine from Goulet Pens.

[JLZenor]

That's what I keep hearing. I want some, but Goulet is out of stock. Amazon has some in stock but it has low reviews for some reason...

[JKelly]

When you live out in the sticks, you learn to improvise. I have Microsoft Publisher on my computer, and a paper cutter. This gives me the option of creating my own custom stationary rather than making an 80 mile trip to town every time that I run out.

 

I use a simple letterhead, with light gray dots rather than lines. I print my A5 stationary two up on HP Premium Laser paper, and then cut it to size.

 

I suppose the next thing is learning to make my own envelopes.

[JLZenor]

Nice. It's amazing what we come up with when we need to.

[JLZenor]

I realized tonight that I don't need fancy paper to write on. I just pulled out a couple sheets of notebook paper and wrote on that.

 

Sure it isn't as fancy, but why should I hold off on writing letters while I search for nice paper at a decent price? I did, however, take my time to write as neatly as I could. I have been practicing that this week. And I'm working on making some of my capital letters "fancy".

 

Also, I think I found my new favorite pen! The fine nib Pilot Metropolitan writes beautifully. It doesn't write very wet and is very smooth. It was fun to write with, but now my wrist is sore. I need to strengthen up my hand writing muscles, I guess.

 

Anyway, looking forward to fancy paper still, but decided not to let that hold me back. Tomorrow I mail my first letter I have ever written since... probably bootcamp (2002).

[Octo]

Consider going to your nearest print shop, especially if you can find a small "Mom and Pop" one. Explain your needs (fountain pen, liquid ink, color preferences, etc.) and ask for a single sheet of various papers they recommend and take them home to experiment on with your pens and inks. Be sure to write the name/identification on each sheet!

 

The print shop will likely have matching envelopes. The folks there will cut the paper to any size you wish. They can even print a letterhead at reasonable cost if you later decide you want one.

 

Just remember to thank them for their help by buying your ream or two of the paper you select from the folks who gave you their time.

[Octo]

If you like decorated papers, check out Geopaper at your nearest office supply store. It's a bit potluck, but I've found some are very FP friendly. They are 8.5 by 11." Some designs can be cut in half and still look good.

[JLZenor]

Thanks, Octo.

 

I will search for a print shop. I already searched for paper shops and didn't find much. Apparently the main one mentioned being in this city closed down, and another moved to Denver. Still searching.

[fountainpenlady]

Nice. It's amazing what we come up with when we need to.

I agree with you. Although not as ingenious, I did not want the designs on writing paper offered at C.R. Gibson. They have plain off-white sheets, believe 50 and 50 envelopes. I decided to purchase the paper and if I want to decorate the paper or even the envelopes, I have ink pads in different colors and several wooden stamps. I like decorating the paper in my own way or not at all. Now, I am interested in using wax seals. I have not figured out how to do so and not have the post office damage the seal, but I am going to try to see what happens.

[JLZenor]

Now, I am interested in using wax seals. I have not figured out how to do so and not have the post office damage the seal, but I am going to try to see what happens.

That has interested me as well, but I hadn't even thought of the post office damaging the seal... Putting the envelope and wax seal in another envelope sounds annoying, pricy, and not as fancy.

 

Maybe if you are folding the letter, use the wax seal to keep the letter folded and put it in the envelope?

[JKelly]

Darn it! Just as I was giving up the idea of wax seals because the post office would damage them, you give me another excuse to spend MORE money on pens, stationary, etc.

[JLZenor]

I'm sorry

 

If you do spend the money make sure you let me know how it works.

[LeonW]

Placing a wax seal on the same side as your writing, on the bottom before folding the letter will also help with protection. The recipient will enjoy the intact wax seal just as much.

 

There is also flexible "wax sealing" material available - check Goulet Pens for YouTube video.

 

Enjoy.