Fountain Pen Friendly Envelopes And Cardstock

[amberleadavis]

As often happens, I ran out of envelopes (attorneys are always mailing out stuff), and even though I buy envelopes by the box of 500, I use a lot of them.  Because I hate the feel of cheap No. 10 envelopes, and they mess with my printer, I buy heavier stock.  Most envelopes are passable, but the ones that are coated, have a tendency to smudge (smear) or out and out misbehave with liquid ink.

 

Anyway, I found these really pretty envelopes,  Wausau White Gold Metallics.  The local paper wholesaler had them, and they are for sale at the papermillstore for $168 / box of 500. Instantly, I was sure that these envelopes would be 1.  Too fancy for a law office, 2.  FP unfriendly since they are coated and 3. WAY TOO MUCH Money.  (At about $0.35 each, I don't want to send the envelope, and I'd end up hoarding them).  So, I ended up purchasing some nice Strathmore Laid Envelopes for the office, and went about forgetting these beauties.

 

Then, one day, I'm looking for envelopes again. I find them for $22.95 for a box of 500 including shippingWOW that's cheaper than cheap envelopes, and they aren't transparent.  I send some out to various FPNers who contributed to the Fade Olympics.  I get responses including "OH MY, WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE ENVELOPES" ... "DID YOU TRY THEM WITH A FOUNTAIN PEN?"  At first, I thought I was in trouble, but turns out these envelopes just soak in the FP ink.  Once the ink is on the envelope, it does not smudge and it became nearly water proof.

 

So, I tried sending a few letters to clients and law firms.  Another attorney called me, seems that my letter got through the office faster because everyone copped a feel of the envelope.  I'm not sure how I feel about envelope feelers, or attorneys calling me about my envelopes.  (I'm going to assume, he was out of good pick up lines).  Anyway, after that reaction and at that price, I bought another box.

 

So, now that I've tried the envelopes and the paper, I can tell you this stuff is great.  The pearly / shiny paper soaks in the ink and makes any fountain pen  ink look like a metallic ink.

 

 

Here are the inks on my desk once on that cardstock.  As you know, none of these are metallic inks.  

 

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/Inklings/slides/2013-Ink_528.jpg

[amberleadavis]

The envelopes look like this, if you can see them:

 

http://www.thepapermillstore.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/r/o/royalmetwgold10X.jpg

[amberleadavis]

And here is a sample of me abusing the paper --- I covered it in Diamine Racing Green and MontBlanc Irish Green (neither are water resistant). Then, I covered them with Organics Studio Nickel and Diamine Bilberry (Billberry washes out easily). The green under layer did not move and the Nickel and Billberry soaked in instantly. Washing did not remove the ink.

 

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/Inklings/slides/2013-Ink_527.jpg

 

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/Inklings/slides/2013-Ink_527b.jpg

[amberleadavis]

So, if you are looking for a Fountain Pen Friendly card stock or envelope, I can highly recommend these. They are pretty, shiny and feel nice. I would make postcards out of them if I were still making postcards. Hope you enjoy.

[Octo]

Both links go to the same page at thepapermillstore, which has the $168 price. Did you find the envelopes somewhere else?

Thanks

[bleair]

They look great, but the link you pasted

 

http://www.thepapermillstore.com/royal-metallics-white-gold-envelopes-no-10-commercial-4-1-8-x-9-1-2-80-lb-text-smooth-c-2s-30-recycled-500-per-box.html

 

Shows them as 168$ for a box of 500. I think maybe you hit upon a temporary special. Nice find. If you see that price again, please do post.

[amberleadavis]

OOPS, sorry.

 

 

The link is here:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181119131954?var=480228268754&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

 

Seller: Blendz Paper Etc (see the sticker)

[amberleadavis]

They look great, but the link you pasted

 

http://www.thepapermillstore.com/royal-metallics-white-gold-envelopes-no-10-commercial-4-1-8-x-9-1-2-80-lb-text-smooth-c-2s-30-recycled-500-per-box.html

 

Shows them as 168$ for a box of 500. I think maybe you hit upon a temporary special. Nice find. If you see that price again, please do post.

 

I checked, they still have 8 boxes. $10 / box with shipping of $12.95. Since I own 2 boxes, I have to quit, but you get the idea.

[The Good Captain]

I've seen these envelopes in person as it were and they are very nice. A bit too heavy for some of the airmail destinations from here though. However; thanks Amber!

[bleair]

OOPS, sorry.

 

 

The link is here:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181119131954?var=480228268754&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

 

Seller: Blendz Paper Etc (see the sticker)

 

Oh, cool. Thanks for checking and posting the link. That price is great.

[amberleadavis]

Hope that this thread helps others.

[PrestoTenebroso]

I just ordered my set today!

[amberleadavis]

OOoo.....let me know how you like them.

[stoof2010]

Wow they are only $10 now!!! Pkus shipping im sure.

[stoof2010]

So the card stick isnt paper, its like post cards?

And u said it soaks up the ink. How aboit feathering and bleedthrough?

If there is matching paper, do u have the link for it?

And how about the cardstock? I cant see where that is?? Am i inept lol!?

[amberleadavis]

Wow they are only $10 now!!! Pkus shipping im sure.

 

 

$22.95 for a box of 500 including shipping.

[amberleadavis]

Okay, so Card Stock is paper, but it's heavy paper.  It's the kind that you would make cards from, but it's usually too "heavy" for writing letters.

 

Here's a good explanation:

 

http://paperworks.com/about-paper-weights

 

 

 

Understanding paperweights can be difficult. Trust us, we know. So we here at Paperworks.com have designed this sheet to try and simplify the different terms you may hear in association with paperweight. The term paperweight, and number corresponding with each weight, refers to the thickness and sturdiness of the paper, not the actual weight of the sheet. This is why, sometimes, the same "weight" paper may be referred to as two different things. For instance, regular everyday copy paper is most commonly referred to as a "20 lb. bond" but is other times referred to as a "50 lb. text weight." To eliminate as much confusion as possible, we have chosen GSM as our conversion reference point because it is a definite and universal measure of the paper. GSM stands for grams per square meter, which is the actual weight of the sheet.

In order from lightest weight to heaviest!

 

GSM	Weight	Description
74	20lb bond/50lb text	Most often found in your everyday copy machine.
90	24lb bond/60lb text	Generally multipurpose paper used in the office printer. Also the most popular business letterhead or stationary weight.
105	28lb bond/70lb text	Perfect weight for brochures and presentations. Excellent for 2-sided printing with minimal show through.
120	32lb bond/80lb text	Perfect weight for brochures and presentations. Excellent for 2-sided printing with minimal show through, while being slightly heavier than the 28lb.
145	67lb Bristol	Often considered the lightest of the cardstocks, great for self mailers with a flexible "soft feel" quick drying surface.
165	90lb index	A durable cardstock with a smooth, hard surface for medium applications.
175	65lb cover	A sturdy stock with a superb "soft feel" fast drying surface. Great for postcards, menus and posters.
200	110lb index	Both 90 and 110lb index are the common weights for tabs, dividers and manila folders. The average weight of an index card for heavier applications.
215	80lb cover	A heavy cardstock, your most conventional business card weight. Available in a wide variety of textures and finishes. This sheet is printed on 80lb cover.
255	140lb index	For super heavy weight applications.
260	100lb cover	A noticeably heavier cardstock often used for flat cards or invitations.

 

*Please remember that the greater the "lb" associated with a paper not always determines that it is a thicker sheet. Notice that the 67lb Vellum Bristol has a lower gsm than a 65lb cover because they are two different categories of cardstocks and are scaled differently.

We hope this clarifies the difference between paperweights, and gives you a better understanding of what will fit your application best! With any further questions, please feel free to contact our paper professionals at 888-631-9170!

[amberleadavis]

So the card stick isnt paper, its like post cards?

And u said it soaks up the ink. How aboit feathering and bleedthrough?

If there is matching paper, do u have the link for it?

And how about the cardstock? I cant see where that is?? Am i inept lol!?

 

 

In order ... the card stock question is answered above.

 

Bleeding, Feathering and Show Through - NONE. See the enlarged image.

 

You won't see any issues on the envelopes either.

 

As for matching writing paper, the company that I bought the envelopes from does not have any writing weight paper. I did find some, but it was really expensive. You can look at the link in the first post where I found the envelopes.

 

PM me for my address. If you send me a few samples from my next fade test, I'll send you a few blank envelopes as a thank you.

[stoof2010]

 

 

In order ... the card stock question is answered above.

 

Bleeding, Feathering and Show Through - NONE. See the enlarged image.

 

You won't see any issues on the envelopes either.

 

As for matching writing paper, the company that I bought the envelopes from does not have any writing weight paper. I did find some, but it was really expensive. You can look at the link in the first post where I found the envelopes.

 

PM me for my address. If you send me a few samples from my next fade test, I'll send you a few blank envelopes as a thank you.

Ok. So how do these evvelopes stand up next to triomphe envelopes? Thats what i ordered, and they come in 25 packs for like $5. Yours you are describing are much cheaper, although i dont know if i would ever use that many in my lifetime lol. And the triomphe ones match the paper.

Lol i wish i could go half or thirds on these, but for the price i might just grab them and just use the triomphe paper with them. :-)

[stoof2010]

 

 

In order ... the card stock question is answered above.

 

Bleeding, Feathering and Show Through - NONE. See the enlarged image.

 

You won't see any issues on the envelopes either.

 

As for matching writing paper, the company that I bought the envelopes from does not have any writing weight paper. I did find some, but it was really expensive. You can look at the link in the first post where I found the envelopes.

 

PM me for my address. If you send me a few samples from my next fade test, I'll send you a few blank envelopes as a thank you.

Ok. So how do these evvelopes stand up next to triomphe envelopes? Thats what i ordered, and they come in 25 packs for like $5. Yours you are describing are much cheaper, although i dont know if i would ever use that many in my lifetime lol. And the triomphe ones match the paper.

Lol i wish i could go half or thirds on these, but for the price i might just grab them and just use the triomphe paper with them. :-)