Just a note to say hello to all of you Fountain Pen fetishists. I've enjoyed reading your posts, and look forward to learning from your experience.

I wanted to share a personal preference that I have for writing letters on drafting vellum. It is easy to find in 8.5"x11" format here in the States, in craft stores and art supply houses, and can be cut in half on a paper trimmer to yield 5.5"x8.5" sized sheets; perfect for composing letters and notes.

Even a less then stellar writing fountain pen (like my Cross, which tends to skip on 'normal' paper) writes very smooth and wet on drafting vellum. And the translucent effect is rather nice.

~Joe

How does it differ from artist's tracing paper, or does it?

It's much heavier and smoother than tracing paper. About the same translucency though.

Rapidographs work especially well on this stuff.

Like this? Clearprint Drafting Vellum

That's the stuff, Margana! Although I just buy the smaller pads; but the bulk rolls are probably a bit cheaper per square inch.

I might add that for special circumstances, where you don't need to fold the paper, one could also use drafting mylar. This is polyester plastic sheet (500 year archival standard), with one side frosted to take ink. It just isn't intended to be folded.

But I just love the feel of vellum with a fountain pen.

~Joe

Interesting--I have some 80# tracing paper, and I suspect it is similar, but now I think I need to pick up some drafting vellum to see how it compares.

I use 17# vellum for letter writing. It has a nice smooth hard surface. Still trying to find a good bulk source. I have been buying it in 80 sheet pads locally.

-Bruce

Blueprint houses generally stock or can get vellum pads & rolls. Check in your yellow pages- there may be a very local source in your area. Sometimes they are listed under reprographics.

Good luck, and yes, vellum is very nice. I've only used it for drafting but now I'll have to try it for FP also.

Mylar drafting film is known for its abrasive properties. Rapidograph pens are made with superhard tips just for mylar film. I would be very careful not to use a valued pen on this material.

Mike

I think I've finally found a good source.

Paper Vellum

-Bruce