Good letter writing paper

[arneyz]

Hello all,

 

My name is Zach and I am new to this forum.

 

I have recently moved a fair distance from my family and many of my friends. Far enough so that I feel it is appropriate to correspond with them the old fashioned way. It sounds kinda fun.

 

I also just bought a restored Parker "51" (with Noodler's Black) I use for journaling and any other creative writing and that only makes me want to write more with it. I suppose this is another reason why I'm taking such interest in letter writing.

 

I am a moleskine user, but only because I love the color of the paper and I am looking for something similar to write my letters on.

 

Now I don't think moleskine paper would make good letter paper. It's way too thin. I was thinking about getting a Rhodia staple bound writing pad or something of the like but I don't like the ruled paper with the single pink line down the left side of the page. It looks too much like cheap notebook paper to me. Basically what I am looking for here is some aesthetically pleasing paper. I like the idea of a pad bound at the top rather than a loose paper or a notebook.

 

Can anyone give me some suggestions?

 

Thank you.

 

Zach

[GreenVelvet]

If you want a pad bound at the top, then you can't go wrong with either Clairefontaine Triomphe or G. Lalo Verge de France. They are wonderful. The latter is available in many colors, and both have matching envelopes if you wish to purchase those separately. They are the pinnacle of fountain pen friendly, and make for a good-looking quality letter.

 

Also, here are a few more of my ideas and references.

 

Hooray for writing letters! I hope they write you back.

[CraigR]

Welcome to FPN Zach. I also love writing letters and my favorite paper is Clairfontaine Triomphe. If you are looking for a less expensive paper with ruled lines, I can recommend the Ampad Gold Fiber paper pads. I get mine from Staples. /Craig

[pmorin]

Rhodia does make pads that are unlined, bound at the top and perforated for removal.

Whitelines also makes pads (similar to legal pads, with a rubberish binding at the top). These are white lines or grids on a soft grey background.

 

 

I usually use loose paper in a clipboard. You could always buy paper you like and stop by a copy shop. Most of them can turn them into a pad for you - or if you can find the rubber type glue used you could 'bind' them yourself.

 

I also use HP Premium Choice Laser paper (32 lb) for some of my letter writing. It is a nice thick, super smooth paper that handles inks very well.

 

My local stationers doesn't seem to carry Clarifontaine in pads, or G. Lalo Verge de France (but I haven't looked lately either).

 

 

Welcome to FPN, and enjoy your correspondence.

[arneyz]

That Clairfontaine Triomphe tablet looks like a good fit. Does it have that rubbery glue binding at the top? I hadn't even thought of something like that and it seems like that would be ideal.

 

Also, what are these measurements I am seeing in lbs or grams? Do they refer to thickness?

[GouletPens]

That Clairfontaine Triomphe tablet looks like a good fit. Does it have that rubbery glue binding at the top? I hadn't even thought of something like that and it seems like that would be ideal.

 

Also, what are these measurements I am seeing in lbs or grams? Do they refer to thickness?

Triomphe rocks, there's no better paper for both performance and writing experience. I sell a crapload of it, for good reason! Here's an overview I did on my vlog Ink Nouveau you might find helpful: http://inknouveau.com/2010/01/episode-03-clairefontaine-triomphe/

 

I also did a "Torture test" with the Triomphe, which you might find interesting: http://inknouveau.com/2010/01/episode-05-triomphe-torture-test/

 

Here's the Moleskine's in comparison to the Quo Vadis Habana and the Rhodia Webnotebook as well: http://inknouveau.com/2010/01/episode-09-triple-torture-test/

 

Triomphe is smooth and white and is a joy to use. It's 90g and handles ink fantastically. Vergé de France is textured like handmade paper and is a very cool paper. Not smooth at all, and can be a little rough with certain nibs (esp. the italic stubs), but it has such a cool feel and your friends would probably get a kick out of it. Use a nice brown ink like J. Herbin Lie de Thé or Café des Îles and you get a very cool, old world look.

[jleeper]

If you live in a decent sized metro area in the US, consider seeing if your local paper merchants (supplier to printers) do retail sales, many do. Xpedx is a national paper merchant that will sell retail. Pick up a ream of something that is normally sold to print letterhead on. Classic Crest, Mohawk Via, Beckett, Strathmore, all make good letterhead paper that is FP friendly, and in a number of white and off-white shades. A 500 sheet ream probably runs around $20-30 dollars, unless you happen to pick up a ream that is discontinued, orphaned, or has torn packaging; I've picked those up (no choice of color, though) for $3-5.

[pen2paper]

Hi Zach, in addition to the huge variety that Brian carries (top bound you mentioned)..

 

note in GreenVelvets linked earlier thread, Satrap suggests the ream of Crane's 25% cotton that is available at Tuesday Morning discount stores Right Now.. 24 and 28lb.. off-white color.. it is very nice paper (bought another ream today).

Also, you can either place a grid underneath, or use a template, and print lines/grid as you please.

oops forgot to mention the Cranes is $9.99.. and selling fast.

Edited February 3, 2010 by pen2paper

[Brerarnold]

You've already gotten some good suggestions, Zach, so rather than repeat any of them, let me just mention one of my favorites that hasn't been brought up yet: Crane's Ecru paper in Monarch size. It is a little smaller than your standard 8 1/2x11, and colorwise is somewhere between cream and white. It works well with different inks for me. My favorite is Diamine Dark Brown, although it takes a black or a blue-black nicely also. Here's a link:

 

Crane's Monarch Stationery

[arneyz]

After taking a look at all of these suggestions. I think I'm gonna start out with the Clairefontaine Triomphe just to see how that goes. I'm a lefty and in the videos brian posted he says the drying time is a little long on the paper so we'll see if that's a recipe for disaster or if I'm a slow enough writer that it doesn't matter.

 

I have written all of these suggestions down for future reference if the Clairefontaine doesn't work out. Thank you all for your input.

 

Zach

[ladyambrosia]

You have gotten some very good suggestions. I just got my first pads of Triomphe in the mail this week and am looking foward to trying them.

 

My other papers for letter writing (and I do a lot)

 

 

Verge De France <3 <3 <3

 

Amalfi (on the ocassions that I have some)

 

Cranes 25% Cotton Ream

 

Cranes 100% Cotton Ream

 

South Worth Fine Parchment comes in several colors I have it in Gold and Ivory.