Paper - Weight, Brightness, Finish How About Coating?

[Rekord]

OK I am getting confused here so please help:

 

Weight - in GSM = grams per square meter - the consensus looks to be 90 gsm the best for pens.

- in lbs. - here is the link PaperWeights and rather complicated. Commom sizes used 20lbs, 24lbs, 32lbs, for multipurpose paper mostly 20,24 but here I see some people using 32 lbs.

Not very clear the equivalent in gsm, roughly 90 gsm = 24 lbs. and 120 gsm = 32 lbs ?

 

Brightness: US and Euro. And here it gets FUN :bonk:

I like the brightest white paper. So: there are papers with the SAME US brightness but with different Euro levels. In the case of:

HP paper Q6611A 97US 110Euro - glossy finish

HP paper Q6543A 96US 112Euro - matte finish

which one is the brightest? According to US or according to Euro? (I am not discussing why there is a difference, I just want to know which one is the brightest).

 

Finish: matte, glossy, satin.

Which one works best for fountain pens? About 30-40 years ago my father was writing on glossy paper with his fountain pens - it took a while for the ink to get dried but it looked very nice. Wonder if I can do that again? Of course YMMV but it looks like glossy and fountain pen ink don't mix very well. Nevertheless I will try it.

 

Coating? Lasejet papers are coated too and so are inkjet papers (or at least some?)

By paper qualities the coating (or its absence) is implied too? How this coating interacts with the nib? (adverse effects?) 30-40 years ago I am sure there was no coating (ink/laser) so I am wondering what are the long term effects. Or just use paper specifically made for fountain pen and nothing else (cost be damned)?

 

Some interesting (for me) papers that I plan to try:

HP HPU1132 Weight 32 lbs. Brightness 98US/111Euro

HP HPJ1124 Weight 24 lbs. Brightness 97US/109Euro - saw it mentioned by Sandy1 in her (very scientific) reviews so I plan to try it.

HP Q4541A Weight 32 lbs. Brightness 95US/107Euro - gloss

HP Q6611A Weight 40 lbs. Brightness 97US/110Euro - glossy finish

HP Q6543A Weight 40 lbs. Brightness 96US/112Euro - matte finish

 

All of the above are multipurpose - meaning you will get them for use in the printer (laser or inkjet) and as a side benefit used for fountain pen writing (which I usually do) ?

Is the high-end paper worth the (high) cost?

 

So which paper works best for you?

Edited September 24, 2010 by Rekord

[Parse Error]

GP multipurpose will do for most people if you don't care that much about shading, only slight feathering. On the other hand, unless if your pen is the official pen of BP, you could easily write on both sides -- no bleed or show. At all. That's the best choice when you have to constantly write. It's somewhere around 15 dollars at Costco (i think it's much less, but I bought my last box in April and still haven't gone through it yet) and it'll do if you write a lot. However, if you don't, then go ahead and use premium papers. I personally can't go through so much paper so quickly, but if I constantly buy Rhodia pads to do my homework on, I'll be a really broke guy -- even if I bring my own lunch to school every day.

[dgturner]

I personally am using the HP 32# Presentation Bond for work (I print my own sheets for a Circa notebook and my Day planner). The paper is 120 gsm and it is very white (for to bright for my PR Velvet Black ). You can pick the paper up for < $17 at Office Depot (here is a picture).

http://static.www.odcdn.com/pictures/us/od/sk/lg/271501_sk_lg.jpg

 

It is smooth and uncoated, making it very FP friendly.

[Rekord]

I personally am using the HP 32# Presentation Bond for work (I print my own sheets for a Circa notebook and my Day planner). The paper is 120 gsm and it is very white (for to bright for my PR Velvet Black ). You can pick the paper up for < $17 at Office Depot (here is a picture).

http://static.www.odcdn.com/pictures/us/od/sk/lg/271501_sk_lg.jpg

 

It is smooth and uncoated, making it very FP friendly.

 

I got it this afternoon (that is the HPU1132) from Staples and it is great, I really like it! Definitely HP paper is a keeper!

 

I got a Hammermill too in 28lbs just because the brightness was marked 100 - but it is not too much difference (if any) with the HP paper in terms of brightness - but you can feel the difference in weight (well I did not try it blindfolded, did not weant to scare my significant other). Plus the regular Staples paper for inkjet (24lb and 98 bright) - kind of OK but HP is much smoother.

 

Something that I find interesting is that the inkjet paper is not that good for the ink of the fountain pens (maybe because of the coating?).

Edited September 24, 2010 by Rekord

[pe2dave]

Equally confused, UK based.

I go searching for those HP reference numbers and draw a blank.

What I can find is (uk?) HP HCL0324, http://is.gd/fss40

Shows as:

 

HP Colour Laser A4 100gsm White Ream Of 500 OEM: HCL0324

 

HP Colour Laser Paper OEM: HCL0324

High performance laser paper for colour printing and copying. Designed to maximise print quality and performance. Extra smooth for uniform colour printing and copying. High opacity for two-sided printing. Extra whiteness for sharp text and colour contrast.

 

# Size: A4

# 100gsm

# Colour: White

# Pack Qty: Per ream

# OEM: HCL0324

 

13 UK pounds at Caboodle. co.uk

 

 

Amazon have it for http://is.gd/fsskl

16.21 delivered

 

Searching for HP Premium paper was even more confusing!

 

I *think* this is the same paper as is being discussed.

 

Dave

[Rekord]

Equally confused, UK based.

I go searching for those HP reference numbers and draw a blank.

What I can find is (uk?) HP HCL0324, http://is.gd/fss40

Shows as:

 

HP Colour Laser A4 100gsm White Ream Of 500 OEM: HCL0324

 

HP Colour Laser Paper OEM: HCL0324

High performance laser paper for colour printing and copying. Designed to maximise print quality and performance. Extra smooth for uniform colour printing and copying. High opacity for two-sided printing. Extra whiteness for sharp text and colour contrast.

 

# Size: A4

# 100gsm

# Colour: White

# Pack Qty: Per ream

# OEM: HCL0324

 

13 UK pounds at Caboodle. co.uk

 

 

Amazon have it for http://is.gd/fsskl

16.21 delivered

 

Searching for HP Premium paper was even more confusing!

 

I *think* this is the same paper as is being discussed.

 

Dave

 

Here is the link: HPU 1132

 

Go to http://www.shopping.hp.com and enter in search box HPU-[space]-1132. I guess that is the reason you can't find it. And in the results it will show HPU1132 (without the space between the letters and the numbers) !

 

It will show the papers in blue packaging (similar with what you found)(see here:

Blue package

 

and then when you click on the details it will be the package in red/black - which also doesn't make too much sense.

But as long as the weight and the brightness are the same (and the lack of coating) should be the same paper. I find it to be much better quality than the 24lbs (90 gsm) that I was using before.

 

The premium papers I did not get to them yet - (a bit too expensive) but if I decide to do it will post back. They are heavier also 40lbs = 150 gsm, something like that.

Edited September 28, 2010 by Rekord

[pe2dave]

Here is the link: HPU 1132

 

Go to http://www.shopping.hp.com and enter in search box HPU-[space]-1132. I guess that is the reason you can't find it. And in the results it will show HPU1132 (without the space between the letters and the numbers) !

 

It will show the papers in blue packaging (similar with what you found)(see here:

Blue package

 

and then when you click on the details it will be the package in red/black - which also doesn't make too much sense.

But as long as the weight and the brightness are the same (and the lack of coating) should be the same paper. I find it to be much better quality than the 24lbs (90 gsm) that I was using before.

 

The premium papers I did not get to them yet - (a bit too expensive) but if I decide to do it will post back. They are heavier also 40lbs = 150 gsm, something like that.

 

Thanks for that. Talk about make it hard for the customers!

I have some on order from Caboodle. Still not sure if its

the same paper. http://is.gd/fx5tc

This is 100gsm.

I'll report back.

 

Dave

[dgturner]

Here is the link: HPU 1132

 

Go to http://www.shopping.hp.com and enter in search box HPU-[space]-1132. I guess that is the reason you can't find it. And in the results it will show HPU1132 (without the space between the letters and the numbers) !

 

It will show the papers in blue packaging (similar with what you found)(see here:

Blue package

 

and then when you click on the details it will be the package in red/black - which also doesn't make too much sense.

But as long as the weight and the brightness are the same (and the lack of coating) should be the same paper. I find it to be much better quality than the 24lbs (90 gsm) that I was using before.

 

The premium papers I did not get to them yet - (a bit too expensive) but if I decide to do it will post back. They are heavier also 40lbs = 150 gsm, something like that.

 

Thanks for that. Talk about make it hard for the customers!

I have some on order from Caboodle. Still not sure if its

the same paper. http://is.gd/fx5tc

This is 100gsm.

I'll report back.

 

Dave

 

Sorry, but 100GSM is ~28# paper, not 32#. Having said that, it is also very nice paper. I go with the 32# paper due its the ability to withstand punching for my Circa notebooks.

I use 28# Hammermill 11x17 (in addition to 70# Weyerhaeuser 11x17, which is heavier, but not as smooth) paper for my versions of the Levenger Oasis Pads.

 

 

BTW here are links to sites comparing paper basis weights and grammage - http://www.paper-paper.com/weight.html and a Wikipedia article

Edited September 28, 2010 by dgturner

[pe2dave]

 

BTW here are links to sites comparing paper basis weights and grammage - http://www.paper-paper.com/weight.html and a Wikipedia article

 

Now that is useful. Thanks. Nothings simple once the veil of ignorance

is lifted!

 

Dave

[pe2dave]

 

 

Thanks for that. Talk about make it hard for the customers!

I have some on order from Caboodle. Still not sure if its

the same paper. http://is.gd/fx5tc

This is 100gsm.

I'll report back.

 

Dave

 

Duly reporting back. A bit disgruntled.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davepawson/5033447526/in/set-72157624883520792/

 

AFAICT, this is bleeding. I'll skip the obvious one!

On arrival, the pack of paper is marked CHP 350. HP really do know how to confuse their customers. Both sides appear identical.

 

Better than my copier paper, but still not (IMHO) good.

1.9 italic lamy pen.

Noodlers black ink.

 

Dave

[Rekord]

Dave, the arcane HP numbering system be damned! I have a 500 pages ream of HPU 1132 and the same for Hammermill. Do you want to sample it? I can send you 10-20 pages of each so you can see if you like it or not. Send me your postal address via PM and give me few days to find out a letter envelope (I don't want to fold the paper) and a post office close to my new job.

 

I like the paper much better than the previous 24 lbs (smoother), used it with Waterman Phileas Fine, Sheaffer No-nonsense Medium, Sheaffer XG440 XF, Merlina flex (F to B? M to BB? my first flex so I really don't know what I am doing). After seeing your pictures it doesn't look like what I have - it is 120 gsm and it is brighter (whiter? monitor calibration, digital sensor etc). To me it looks good (really good) - on the other hand I did not enlarge it the way you did (and you have a really good lens).

Anyway let me know.

[pe2dave]

Dave, the arcane HP numbering system be damned! I have a 500 pages ream of HPU 1132 and the same for Hammermill. Do you want to sample it? I can send you 10-20 pages of each so you can see if you like it or not. Send me your postal address via PM and give me few days to find out a letter envelope (I don't want to fold the paper) and a post office close to my new job.

 

I like the paper much better than the previous 24 lbs (smoother), used it with Waterman Phileas Fine, Sheaffer No-nonsense Medium, Sheaffer XG440 XF, Merlina flex (F to B? M to BB? my first flex so I really don't know what I am doing). After seeing your pictures it doesn't look like what I have - it is 120 gsm and it is brighter (whiter? monitor calibration, digital sensor etc). To me it looks good (really good) - on the other hand I did not enlarge it the way you did (and you have a really good lens).

Anyway let me know.

 

I now suspect (I've no real knowledge in this area) that it is a combination

of wet pen and paper? When I use my magnifying glass on writing with a medium

or fine nib, there is far less 'creep' or 'bleed'? Using the 1.9mm italic

is as shown on flickr above. Could be that the speed of writing helps, i.e.

it's dry before it has time to creep with the finer nibs? When I'm over writing

with the italic the paper gets quite wet?

 

I'd like to try the other one please, the Hammermill? See if that is any better.

I'll pm you with my adds. UK based here... If you aren't please don't go

to the expense.

 

Dave

 

Now to find out how to pm .....

[Rekord]

Click on the icon with the envelope under the description ("Mint", "Near Mint") for PM. Got your email, will do tomorrow.

[Carguy]

My sister owns a print shop and I really ran her through the paces when searching for the "right" paper I wanted for my letterhead. Finding that 28lb paper with an imaging finish works best for me. ALL inks seem to dry quickly with no feathering and no bleed through.

[Rekord]

My sister owns a print shop and I really ran her through the paces when searching for the "right" paper I wanted for my letterhead. Finding that 28lb paper with an imaging finish works best for me. ALL inks seem to dry quickly with no feathering and no bleed through.

 

Please do tell! 28 lbs. What brand? And what is the imaging finish? Where do you get it?

[pe2dave]

My sister owns a print shop and I really ran her through the paces when searching for the "right" paper I wanted for my letterhead. Finding that 28lb paper with an imaging finish works best for me. ALL inks seem to dry quickly with no feathering and no bleed through.

 

 

Come on, stop teasing us :-)

[i'm dreading 'translating' a manufacturer, part number whatever, to UK 'magic numbers'

after the fun we had with the HP paper. ]

 

I'm curious what an 'imaging finish' is? For photos?

 

Dave

[Carguy]

I'm sorry that I wasn't keeping up with this thread. :embarrassed_smile: I will ask her the details of the paper and post back once I know....

 

As I understand it, imaging finish is a "hard" matte finish suitable for bright color copying. More likely than not, this will expose my ignorance - she's the "paper smart" one not me!

[pe2dave]

I'm sorry that I wasn't keeping up with this thread. :embarrassed_smile: I will ask her the details of the paper and post back once I know....

 

As I understand it, imaging finish is a "hard" matte finish suitable for bright color copying. More likely than not, this will expose my ignorance - she's the "paper smart" one not me!

 

My guess? You're in the majority here! Nice to 'know someone who knows' though.

Look forward to her answers.

 

Dave

[ProtUK]

Hey there,

 

I've used the 100gsm(28lbs) HP Laser Paper. I can say that I found the 100gsm did bleed and feather quite a lot on some of my wetter writers, and more than I would like on most of the others. My next trial will be with the 120gsm

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hewlett-Packard-Smooth-ColorLok-HCL0330/dp/B000SHUCIU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1289351696&sr=8-5

 

I don't know if this helps any. The 100gsm is now repurposed to it's original function - feeding my laser printer!

 

Colin

[pe2dave]

Hey there,

 

I've used the 100gsm(28lbs) HP Laser Paper. I can say that I found the 100gsm did bleed and feather quite a lot on some of my wetter writers, and more than I would like on most of the others. My next trial will be with the 120gsm

 

http://www.amazon.co...89351696&sr=8-5

 

I don't know if this helps any. The 100gsm is now repurposed to it's original function - feeding my laser printer!

 

Colin

 

 

Thanks for that. I eagerly await your findings!

Though logic says if 100gms bleeds... why would 120 be any different (but that's logic not experience)

 

 

Dave