Many people who journal with fountain pens or enjoy planning have also taken to decorating their pages. It adds character and personality, making any journal or planner look more beautiful as you flip through it. In any artistic endeavor, the tools an artist uses are just as essential as the artist (and their skills of course). And one popular tool that is becoming more popular amongst stationery enthusiasts is the brush pen.
Combining the convenience of a paintbrush and the ease of using ink, these brushes are a great and easy way to add color and life to your notes. However, one concern that many people have is whether brush pens bleed through paper. Here, we’ll try to answer that question and provide helpful tips and information about brush pens and paper.
Do brush pens bleed through paper?
So, do brush pens bleed through paper? The short answer is yes, they can.
Whenever you use any thick, saturated ink, it will likely bleed through most types of paper. This is why many artistic tools, such as markers, do not typically sit well on ordinary notebook or copy paper.
Unfortunately, this also means that brush pens will bleed through many types of paper. Generally, they will bleed through printer and lower-quality papers. Finding the right type of high-quality paper that is resistant to bleed-through and will not damage your brush pens can be tricky, but there are many good options available.
How to avoid bleedthrough
Bleeding and ghosting are not just about the pen or the paper itself but a combination of the two. Here are ways you can avoid bleedthrough when using your brush pens.
Use the right brush pens
The type of brush pen you use is important in preventing bleeding. Brush pens that use water-based ink tend to bleed through paper less than alcohol-based brush pens. There are also oil-based brush pens, which are better for thick papers with small fibers.
Using the right paper
The right type of paper for your brush pens will depend on what ink your brush pen uses. Not all papers are suitable for all brush pens, and some bleed-proof papers will still bleed with certain types of ink.
Generally, the thicker the paper, the more resistant it will be to bleeding. Knowing what GSM paper is best for brush pens can help you decide on the weight and thickness you should get. Most brush pens work well with thick paper, cardstock, and blending cards. Papers with sealants and small fibers are also less prone to bleeding.
The right paper will not only prevent bleeding but also maintain your brush pens’ shape and quality so you can prolong their use.
The Bottom Line
Having your brush pen ink bleed through paper can be a frustrating problem. Ultimately, using paper designed to take the ink from your brush pens is the best way to avoid bleeding. There are many options for the type of paper you should use for brush pens, from brands like Rhodia to Strathmore and Tomoe River Paper. Remember, your brush pen is only as good as the paper you use with it!
Written by EndlessPens Blogger Ramona Kabigting
