In the same way that different cheeses and wines bring out different flavours in one another, the correct fountain pen and paper may bring out the subtleties and unique characteristics of each. Similarly, choosing high-quality paper allows you to fully utilise your fountain pen and ink, which in turn gives a new dimension to both the pen and the paper. There are a lot of things to think about while looking for the best paper to use with your fountain pen. Consider these criteria and choose a variety of notebooks that can serve the needs of students, working professionals, journalists, and other users. You can watch the video or keep reading to obtain a summary of the top picks for fountain pen paper.

Exactly what is the problem, if you don’t mind you asking?

Ink that is too thick for the paper weight might be a problem when writing with a fountain pen on thinner paper. You should be aware of the following potential threats.

Feathering

When ink bleeds through the spaces between the paper’s fibres, a phenomenon known as “feathering” occurs, rendering your carefully written words unrecognisable. Feathering can be minimised by using high-quality paper, but it can also result from the ink you’re using or the size of the best fountain pen paper. Feathering can be avoided more easily when using a finer nib and a drier ink, while ink-heavy nibs like medium and broad are more prone to it because they leave more ink on the page.

Show-through

The paperweight (sometimes denoted by the abbreviation “gsm,” for “grammes per square metre”) is the primary factor in determining whether or not show-through will occur. So, if you want to avoid seeing the ghost images on the back, use a heavy paper stock.

Both the colour and the intensity of the ink can affect the degree of show-through. It’s important to keep the implications of your colour choices in mind as you peruse your ink collection; research showed that red inks had a higher possibility of having a weak show-through.

Bleed-through

If the paper you use has too much absorbency or is too thin, you may experience bleed-through. Bleed-through could also occur with a pen that holds a lot of ink. Compatible fountain pen papers have specially blended fibres to prevent ink from seeping through to the other side, yet it is still possible to see a faint trace of your writing on the reverse side. Make sure you have the right pen and notepad for the job; we’ve provided a handy checklist to help you out. Finding the ideal paper, nib, and ink mix is key to achieving minimal bleed-through.

Negligence / Smudginess

Writing with a fountain pen is most comfortable when the paper is smooth and not at all rough. Paper designed for fountain pens often has a coating applied to it to make it as smooth as possible when writing with one. The trade-off is that the ink may take up to a minute to dry, which may cause blurring if you write quickly or rest your hands on the page while writing (both of which are common habits for left-handed people). This is more common among left-handers.

Shade of paper

However, the creamier colour created by select Japanese paper firms like Life Stationery and Midori may be easier on the eyes. White paper will deliver the most vivid experience of fountain pen ink colours.

It’s also vital to remember that the paper’s intended use will play a major effect in deciding the specific type that’s best. You should know that anything with 180gsm will likely be heavy and inconvenient if you’re looking for a portable notebook. A toothy cream cardstock of around 300gsm would also work wonderfully for making invites if you’re striving for a more traditional design.