Paper is the canvas upon which fountain pens work their magic. Without it, we would never see the beautiful lines that our favorite pens are meant to create. However, we don’t just use any type of paper for writing. Fountain pen paper brands specifically design their loose-leaf sheets and notebooks to accommodate fountain pen ink and show off its properties. Here, we have a list of the different fountain pen paper brands you’ll find on the market.
Why Fountain Pen Paper Brands Matter
Knowing the brands of fountain pen-friendly papers to try can go a long way in making sure your writing experience is top-notch. Here’s why the paper from these brands matters:
They reduce bleedthrough and feathering. Fountain pen ink tends to bleed or feather on low-quality paper. High-quality paper with a tight weave or coating minimizes these issues, preserving the sharpness and clarity of your writing.
They minimize show-through. Show-through, also known as ghosting, happens when ink penetrates the paper so that you can see the writing on the other side. Choosing thicker, more opaque paper helps reduce show-through, ensuring that what you write on one side doesn't interfere with readability on the other.
They increase ink saturation, sheen, and shimmer. Fountain pen ink can exhibit beautiful shading, sheening, and shimmering characteristics on the right paper. Papers with a certain level of absorbency allow the ink to saturate the surface without spreading excessively, enhancing the appearance of ink sheen and shading.
They’re more durable. High-quality paper is more durable and less prone to tearing or damage from ink saturation. It can withstand repeated erasing or corrections without deteriorating, preserving your writing for years to come.
They enhance your writing experience. The feel of the paper under your pen significantly influences your writing experience. Smooth, well-coated paper provides a pleasant writing surface, while rough or coarse paper can cause your nib to catch or snag, leading to a less enjoyable writing experience.
Overall, choosing the right paper for fountain pens enhances the writing experience, preserves the integrity of your writing, and allows you to fully appreciate the characteristics of fountain pen ink.
Here are some fountain pen paper brands on the market:
APICA
APICA is a Japanese brand that was founded in Osaka in 1916. Originally called “Japan Notebook Manufacturer,” they eventually changed their name to APICA in 1973. The paper used in their notebooks comes from Oji Paper, which is a company known for its sustainable and responsible paper production. APICA paper is made for comfortable fountain pen writing.
Baronfig
Baronfig is a New York-based company founded in 2013. Their goal is “to champion thinkers around the world through inspiration and imagination.” Fountain pen enthusiasts can try the Confident notebook, which performs exceptionally well.
Clairefontaine
Clairefontaine is a brand that is known primarily for its notebooks, paper, and stationery. They use acid-free paper which is manufactured directly by the company in Europe. Writers love the way that this paper handles ink and will enjoy any of the variations the brand produces.
Endless Stationery
Endless Stationery includes fountain pen-friendly notebooks that make writing a dream. Our Recorder Notebook comes with a fine leatherette cover and has 80 gsm Regalia acid-free paper for beautiful writing.
Kobeha Keikaku
Hailing from Japan, Kobeha Keikaku is a brand that designs paper specifically for fountain pens. Established in 2011, they produced Graphilo paper, which is painted with an organic filler that dramatically reduces pores in the paper, providing a uniform surface that slows drying times and prevents feathering. It has the high sheen capability of Tomoe River paper with a texture similar to Midori MD paper.
KOKUYO
KOKUYO as a brand started as a supplier of account ledgers. Today, it continues to manufacture and sell a variety of paper products and stationery. It is perhaps most famous for producing the Campus notebooks that we all know and love.
LAMY
LAMY is recognized all around the world as a brand that stands for high-quality writing instruments. Apart from the timeless and modern aesthetic that their pens embody, LAMY also produces notebooks that perfectly complement the brand’s writing tools.
LEUCHTTURM1917
LEUCHTTURM1917 was originally a company that manufactured stamp and coin albums. Since its founding in 1917, the brand has added plenty more to its products, including paper. Their notebooks are made of chamois-colored paper at 80 to 100 gsm to provide a pleasant writing experience for bullet journal enthusiasts and fountain pen users.
Life Noble
Life Noble produces mainly notebooks, letter pads, and other paper goods. Their aesthetic designs and high-quality paper are suitable for fountain pens, featuring lightly textured cream-colored paper that resists bleedthrough and feathering.
Maruman Mnemosyne
This brand is named after the Greek goddess of memory and has four characteristics: paper, design, variety, and quality. This is a high-quality type of paper that comes in spiral-bound and pad formats in various sizes.
MD Paper
With over 70 years of history, Japanese brand MIDORI offers high-quality stationery, including notebooks, planners, and stickers. Both their MD and Cotton lines work very well with fountain pens. These are the same pages that can be found in standard Traveler’s Notebook refills.
Rhodia
The Rhodia brand is known for their high-quality paper made with exacting standards and a timeless design. Any fountain pen enthusiast looking for great paper can use Rhodia, whether it’s their Rhodiarama notebook or their other offerings.
Stalogy
Stalogy is a Japanese brand that embodies the heritage of beautiful materials and the history of paper. It produces an extremely thin and versatile paper that is great for every day, whether you are a student or already working, especially if you value quick dry times.
Tomoe River
Tomoe River is one of the most popular paper brands existing today. The company was founded in 1914 in Japan, inspired by the Tomoegawa River close to where the company was located. Writers who want extremely smooth and very thin paper that can withstand ink and show off its properties will love Tomoe River.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, exploring paper brands shows us the many options available to fountain pen enthusiasts. Each brand offers unique features, from premium quality to specialized designs that are tailored to various ink types. Whether you prioritize smoothness, bleed resistance, or paper that makes ink shine, there's a brand to suit your needs. Having these choices allows you to make more informed decisions and enhance your fountain pen experience as a whole.
Written by EndlessPens Blogger Ramona Kabigting
