My Favourite Record (Index) Cards (U.k.)

[migo984]

I have recently purchased a lot of different record (index) cards (125mm x 75mm- or 5" x 3" in old money) for an art project. I've tried many different brands now, using all kinds of mark-making materials. I was using some fountain pen ink as part of the project, with very variable results. and thought I'd post my thoughts on the two brands I found best for fountain pen use.

 

The first is Exacompta (part of the Clairefontaine stable). A heavier-weight Bristol Smooth card stock. Smooth surface, even shows a bit of sheen from certain inks. Available in various rulings, lined, grid, plain, white and coloured. This is the most expensive I've tried, but bargains can be had (e.g. currently available as 3 packs for price of 2 offer from Cultpens). No feathering, bleed-through or spread (i.e. inked line stays true). I laid on the ink repeatedly in places, yet no sign of it on the reverse. Excellent results. The doodles were done using KWZ Monarch in a Faber-Castell Ondoro with medium steel nib.

 

The second is Silvine. A traditional British manufacturer of paper stationery items, their budget line products, including these cards, are really fountain pen friendly, and very good prices can be found online and in local stores. Theirs are lighter-weight card stock, but still take ink well. Because the surface isn't quite as well sized, there is a tiny bit more spread, but no feathering or bleed-through. Really excellent value-for-money. The doodles were done using Joyful-2 Minakami Turquoise in a TWSBI Eco with an EF 18k nib.

 

Some other brands did OK, but these two stood out for me. An honourable 3rd place goes to Nock cards, but they are expensive to get from the UK, and I'm not keen on their grid design, or the printing ink they use.

 

Here's a pic of both cards: Exacompta plain and ruled at the top, Silvine plain and blue ruled on the bottom row.

 

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