Paperblanks journals anyone? Feedback?

[Torpedo]

Hello,

 

I have not found much definite information on Paperblanks material, journals and the like. They are certainly attractive, with plenty of nice designs... but is the paper FP-friendly?

 

Could anyone offer some first hand experience?

 

I am using Moleskine sketchbooks (in journal and notebook sizes) because they have better paper, but I am intringued by paperblanks items...

 

Regards!

[Iranna]

In my experience, the paper is not fountain pen friendly. I've heard the quality tends to vary a lot though, so some people have good experiences, others bad. I'm afraid it's impossible to know before you try!

[sidheblessed]

I have used a few Paperblanks and rate myself a fan.

 

When it comes to FP friendliness, I find the larger sized journals fare better than the mini or midi sized ones. I've also noticed that it does depend on the FP in question. When I use either of my Lamy Safaris, I enjoy a smooth, feather and bleed through free writing experience. My Waterford Claria however can feather a little. This probably says more about the pens than the paper, though. My Waterford is very temperamental about paper!

 

Overall, I love my Paperblanks, love the cover designs and find that two out of the three FPs I own get along fine with them.

[GreenVelvet]

When it comes to FP friendliness, I find the larger sized journals fare better than the mini or midi sized ones.

 

I've also had this experience. On the very small journals, the paper is awful one page and great the next. I've had better luck with the larger ones, but I've heard enough negative reports that I don't think their paper quality is as consistent as other high-quality-paper journal makers like Clairefontaine and Rhodia.

[tsunami31]

My experience has been on small and medium sizes (and then some years ago).

I found that fps would glide easily over the paper (I tend to use Fine or XF nibs in journals and they can catch on poorer paper), but the ink would take some time to dry, so turning pages would be problematic as one was writing.

 

I guessed that the paper had been treated in some way to give it a crisper/smoother feel than Moleskines (who were their main competitor in stores at the time).

 

Haven't bought or used any of the most recent years' production, so they might have changed - I find many stationery companies can have variable paper quality over any period of time.

 

Regards Richard

[biffybeans]

I am quite fond of Paperblanks. Reviewed them on my blog here: http://www.biffybeans.com/2009/06/review-paperblanks-smythe-sewn-journal.html

 

I've gone through about 3 or 4 of them and have literally tested about 80 different FP inks on them. (I used one whole book to test 60 different Diamine inks) The paper is smooth & there is exceptionally little bleedthrough, which seems limited to heavily saturated inks in the blue family.

 

OF NOTE I have heard people talk about some inconsistencies in their paper. Early on, they used a different paper source, so if old stock is unearthed, that could be the problem. ALSO - there is a Paperblanks sketchbook which has a different paper - and that could also be the source of some people's comments. I have one (the sketchbook) but I have not tested it as of yet. They also make planners, but I am unaware if the paper in the planners is the same as in the journals.

 

Hope this helps -

Stephanie

 

 

 

Hello,

 

I have not found much definite information on Paperblanks material, journals and the like. They are certainly attractive, with plenty of nice designs... but is the paper FP-friendly?

 

Could anyone offer some first hand experience?

 

I am using Moleskine sketchbooks (in journal and notebook sizes) because they have better paper, but I am intringued by paperblanks items...

 

Regards!

[Daximillian]

I think 2006 is the magic number. Paperblanks journals produced after that year (i.e. 2007 and later) have FP-friendly paper. But I'm not 100% sure.

On the last page of the journal you can find the production year.

[GreenVelvet]

I think 2006 is the magic number. Paperblanks journals produced after that year (i.e. 2007 and later) have FP-friendly paper. But I'm not 100% sure.

On the last page of the journal you can find the production year.

 

Oh wow, that's really interesting. I will have to check my journals, I guess, but they were the older ones, and I imagine they were 2006 or before.

 

OK, maybe I'll give them a try again.

[Torpedo]

Thank you all for the replies. I will take a look again at those Paperblanks.

 

BTW, any suggestions about on-line dealers in Europe?

 

Regards!

[lefty928]

My experience has been on small and medium sizes (and then some years ago).

I found that fps would glide easily over the paper (I tend to use Fine or XF nibs in journals and they can catch on poorer paper), but the ink would take some time to dry, so turning pages would be problematic as one was writing.

 

I guessed that the paper had been treated in some way to give it a crisper/smoother feel than Moleskines (who were their main competitor in stores at the time).

 

Haven't bought or used any of the most recent years' production, so they might have changed - I find many stationery companies can have variable paper quality over any period of time.

 

Regards Richard

The paper quality in Paperblanks I've encountered has been awful, but perhaps, as Biffybeans suggests, the quality has improved since 2006. A search on FPN for Paperblanks should have turned up a plethora of complaints. As an alternative, Peter Pauper makes similar journals.

Edited February 13, 2010 by lefty928

[figosmum]

I have some (recent) ones as I love the designs, but while I find the paper smooth to write on, pretty much all of my pens and inks bleed through. I use mostly M or even B nibs, maybe they're just too wet.

[Iranna]

I have recently purchased a small Paperblanks notebook and while inks don't bleed through, they feather badly. When I pay €15 for a notebook I want the paper to be really good. I know the pretty designs are very appealing, so if you do decide to try them, I hope you'll get one with good paper! Too bad it's not possible to test the paper before buying...

[ladyambrosia]

The Journal I am writing in now is a Paperblanks and not to bad for the FP friendly. I think in the future however I am going to go with Rhodia or Clairefontaine Graphica.

[handwriter]

Miquelrius, made near you, guess you knew it

 

http://www.shopmiquelrius.com/servlet/StoreFront

[Daximillian]

Thank you all for the replies. I will take a look again at those Paperblanks.

 

BTW, any suggestions about on-line dealers in Europe?

 

Regards!

 

The book depository has some (don't forget to check the year in the full bibliographic info. You can also see the year when you search for the notebooks there) and the shipping is free. They ship super fast and are very reliable.

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk

Just search for paperblanks there.

Hope this helps.

[biffybeans]

Miquelrius, uses about 6 different papers in theor products - not all are FP friendly.

 

 

Miquelrius, made near you, guess you knew it

 

http://www.shopmique...vlet/StoreFront

[handwriter]

Thanks, biffybeans, that would explain some variations I've seen

[farseer911]

Paperblanks in assorted sized are on the clearance dollar rack at my local borders. Saw them there last night.

[tsunami31]

I am quite fond of Paperblanks. Reviewed them on my blog here: http://www.biffybean...wn-journal.html

 

I've gone through about 3 or 4 of them and have literally tested about 80 different FP inks on them. (I used one whole book to test 60 different Diamine inks) The paper is smooth & there is exceptionally little bleedthrough, which seems limited to heavily saturated inks in the blue family.

 

OF NOTE I have heard people talk about some inconsistencies in their paper. Early on, they used a different paper source, so if old stock is unearthed, that could be the problem. ALSO - there is a Paperblanks sketchbook which has a different paper - and that could also be the source of some people's comments. I have one (the sketchbook) but I have not tested it as of yet. They also make planners, but I am unaware if the paper in the planners is the same as in the journals.

 

Hope this helps -

Stephanie

 

 

 

Hello,

 

I have not found much definite information on Paperblanks material, journals and the like. They are certainly attractive, with plenty of nice designs... but is the paper FP-friendly?

 

Could anyone offer some first hand experience?

 

I am using Moleskine sketchbooks (in journal and notebook sizes) because they have better paper, but I am intringued by paperblanks items...

 

Regards!

 

 

 

 

Good review. Deals with my experience in smooth surface and slow drying. Also I do like the cream paper colour and the binding, which makes the pages lie flat - so important for writing. It's a shame about variable paper qualities. I guess the manufacturers think users won't notice.

 

 

 

 

 

[woodworker]

When it comes to FP friendliness, I find the larger sized journals fare better than the mini or midi sized ones.

 

I've also had this experience. On the very small journals, the paper is awful one page and great the next. I've had better luck with the larger ones, but I've heard enough negative reports that I don't think their paper quality is as consistent as other high-quality-paper journal makers like Clairefontaine and Rhodia.

 

I asked some questions to the official dutch internet shop store. They said the same things. The smaller sized Paperblanks are not suitable for fountain pens. The larger ones are great for fountain pen users. So it depends on the size you need.