Test Of 7 Copy Papers - Australia (Warning: Image Heavy)

[ru32day]

Introduction

 

I print my own paper with guidelines for handwriting practice and have until now been using Nature's Paper. While I find this paper excellent across all pens and inks, with low feathering and show

through and no bleed, I felt it would be nice to try some paper that was brighter and smoother. So I dropped over to my local "Officeworks" and picked up a selection of papers to try them out. Here are the results.

 

It might be obvious, but I feel that I should, in fairness, be explicit that my test did not look at the general quality of the paper or its suitability for its designed and marketed purpose. It

may be that the papers that I rate best for writing are the worst for machine printing/copying - I don't know.

 

The paper (prices are $AUD)

 

• 
   
  
• Paper One 100GSM A4 Presentation Paper $4.22 Pk/100 (EDPAP320)
  
• Paper One 80GSM A4 Premium All Purpose Paper $4.29 Ream/500 (EDPAP200R)
  
• Reflex 80GSM A4 Ultra White Office Paper (the picture on the Officeworks site shows "New" Ultra white - mine was bought a while ago and just says "Ultra white") $5.17 Ream/500
  
• Nature's Paper Wheat 80GSM A4 $5.89 Pk/500 (FONPWA4R)
  
• Hewlett Packard (HP) 100gsm A4 Colour Laser Paper $9.93/250 (JAHP352)
  
• Double A 80GSM A4 Copy Paper $5.49 Ream/500 (EDAA010R)
  

 

The pens and ink

 

• 
   
  
• Platinum Music Nib - Diamine Twilight
  
• Noodler flex - Diamine Sepia
  
• 1950's Pelikan M140 (semi-flex) - Pelikan Edelstein Topaz
  
• Pelikan M600 with Binder 0.9 Cursive Italic nib - J Herbin Rose Cyclamen
  
• Pilot Vanishing point with M Mottishaw stub nib - Diamine Chocolate
  
• Pelikan M620 "Grand Place" with Mottishaw EF flex nib - Diamine Twilight (I think - not noted in my ink book but I'm 99% sure:)
  
• Noodler (preppy) Rollerball - Baystate Blue
  
• Noodler flex - Black Swan in English Roses
  

 

The results (in order of preference)

 

Suitable for FP use

 

1. HP Colour Laser paper

 

This is the brightest paper. IMO it is on the creamy side of pure white - I like the colour. There is no noticable feathering, show through or bleed. IMO the front of the paper is just slightly

brighter and smoother than the back, but both sides perform equally well. Note, however, that this paper works out nearly four times as expensive as the next best.

 

HP Colour Laser - written on front side

 

 

2. Nature's (Wheat) Paper

 

This paper is a bit grey compared to the others. Minimal feathering (Music Nib only) and even this requires magnification to be really noticable. Performs equally as well as the HP in terms of show-through and bleed, but ink takes longer to dry and is a bit more prone to smudging (as can be seen in the samples). Some ink (eg Herbin 1670) still smudges a day later. The paper doesn't exactly feel rough, but it's definitely not as slippery as most of the others. IMO the front of the paper is indistinguishable from the back both in appearance and performance. A good option for a less expensive paper. Some people may prefer Double A (see below) due to its superior colour and feel.

 

Nature's Paper (written on front side)

 

3. Double A Paper

 

IMO this paper is the smoothest to the touch and is almost as bright as the HP. It's probably closer to a true white than the HP. There is slight feathering with a number of pen/ink combinations but this is next to unnoticable unless the writing is magnified. While you can certainly write on both sides of the page, the "shadow" of the writing on the front is more noticable on this paper and there is a tiny amount of bleed from M620 flex. Another good option for a less expensive paper, which some may prefer it to Nature's Paper. I have rated the Double A lower because I won't be able to write on both sides 100% of the time, however the bleed is not evident with all pen and ink combinations so if you know what pen/ink you're going to use and it doesn't bleed, this paper is arguably nicer to write on than Nature's paper.

 

Double A (written on front side)

 

4. Reflex Paper

 

IMO just slightly less bright than the Double A, but its very very close. A small amount of feathering on the rollerball (BSB). More show through than the higher rated papers. The M620 flex and the preppy rollerball both bled through.

 

Reflex (written on front side)

 

Reflex (reverse view of sample above)

 

Not suitable for FP use

 

5. Paper One Presentation Paper

6. Paper One All Purpose Paper

 

Both of the "Paper One" papers exhibited significant feathering (the All Purpose paper was worse) and bleed through (again the All Purpose paper was worse). I would not recommend either of these papers for FP use.

 

Paper One Presentation Paper

 

Paper One Presentation Paper (reverse view)

 

Paper One All Purpose Paper

 

Paper One All Purpose Paper (reverse view)

[Ipno Tizer]

Phew! That was a good one.

 

Most of these papers are not available on the UK, bit I've tried Staples 100gsm Lazer paper and it only bled through with my extreemly wet Waterman 512 V. I also have some HP Premium Choice Lazer paper.

 

When I get home tonight, I might open the pack and try a page to see what it's like. Even at the price I paid for it, it's still cheaper than buying conventional writing paper.

 

Chris B.

[jimhughes]

ru32day:

1) Do you know of any Aussie sources for your paper who'll ship across the pond to the USA?

 

2) Are you using the Preppy with BSB as an ED? If so just O ring sealers, or Silicone grease or both?

 

3) Any staining issues with the cap or bbl?

 

4) Any burping isssues with BSB ibk in this pen?

My mistake, I thought you had a Preppy Rollerball. You clearly list it as a Noodler's Stylographic Creaper. I've got one of these and it's a piston, not an ED filler. Thanks, Jim

 

 

 

THNX, Jim

Chris:

I use the HP Laser Printer paper 32# weight on all my pens and inks it's perfect. I've passed it around at the local Pen Club meeting for OB's, BBB's, etc nibs. No feathering, bleed through, show through, just perfect. Inkypete, I use XF and F's, but I do believe UR right it's a bit wider linr than other papers. YMMV, Jim

Edited March 28, 2011 by jimhughes

[inkypete]

Great review Jim. Thanks. I use the HP Colour Laser too and would add just one comment. I think it writes a fraction wide compared to harder papers. Not sure how else to describe that but I think you know what I mean by "writing wider".

[amyx231]

wow. lots of info

 

i can say that hammermill paper (blue packaging) is terrible. the green type (dont know brand - 30%recycled) is good.

Edited March 29, 2011 by amyx231

[unfilterd]

Interesting that you've found significant bleedthrough and feather on the PaperOne Presentation Paper. I bought a single ream a few weeks ago for letter writing, and I didn't notice any feathering even with my juicy EF Visconti Homo Sapiens. A small amount of bleedthrough was noticeable though, which limited me to using only one side of the page.

 

Maybe I'll give Nature's Paper a shot once I'm done with this ream (Only 400+ pages left to go!). It's a fair bit cheaper than PaperOne Presentation, and it'll be a good buy if it indeed performs better with a FP.

[ru32day]

ru32day:

1) Do you know of any Aussie sources for your paper who'll ship across the pond to the USA?

 

2) Are you using the Preppy with BSB as an ED? If so just O ring sealers, or Silicone grease or both?

 

3) Any staining issues with the cap or bbl?

 

4) Any burping isssues with BSB ibk in this pen?

My mistake, I thought you had a Preppy Rollerball. You clearly list it as a Noodler's Stylographic Creaper. I've got one of these and it's a piston, not an ED filler. Thanks, Jim

 

 

 

THNX, Jim

 

Jim:

 

1) Sorry I don't know which Aussie suppliers will ship overseas. I do know, however, that sending from OZ to US is MUCH more expensive than US to OZ and that paper is relatively heavy and therefore expensive to ship (I know this as I do buy a few notebooks from the US). You would probably be better off researching paper that's locally available

 

2) It's the one that Noodler includes with the BSB ink - a Preppy converted to an ED with an "O" ring AND silicone grease.

 

3) No staining in the cap (my white kitchen sink is, however, another matter and is awaiting the bleach treatment). The barrel of the pen is very clearly blue even where the ink has run back down the barrel. I expect if I ever want it to be clear again, I will need to use bleach (per Nathan's video) but at this stage I'm planning to have this pen dedicated to BSB - it's such a lovely colour it's worth a bit of extra effort IMO:.

 

4) No burping and I only put 2ml of ink in to start with. This might be different if I were using a fountain pen nib rather than the roller ball tip - not sure.

 

Cheers

 

ru32day

[ru32day]

Interesting that you've found significant bleedthrough and feather on the PaperOne Presentation Paper. I bought a single ream a few weeks ago for letter writing, and I didn't notice any feathering even with my juicy EF Visconti Homo Sapiens. A small amount of bleedthrough was noticeable though, which limited me to using only one side of the page.

 

Maybe I'll give Nature's Paper a shot once I'm done with this ream (Only 400+ pages left to go!). It's a fair bit cheaper than PaperOne Presentation, and it'll be a good buy if it indeed performs better with a FP.

 

I was really quite surprised at the PaperOne presentation paper as I had expected it to perform better. I don't know if you can see it clearly in the samples, but sometimes there is a big blobby sort of affair where it seems to have sucked some clear component of the ink away from the coloured components and wicked it into the surrounding paper (particularly evident with the Diamine Sepia which I never even imagined could feather before this). It's those blobby bits that are most evident on the reverse of the page. In use, it felt to me that the "size" or whatever you properly call the finish, was inconsistent across the page - in some parts of the page it felt to perform nicely and in other parts, terribly. I did notice a couple of tiny "pills" of what might have been the size, that I brushed off the paper before I started writing on it. Perhaps whatever holds the finish to the paper failed in my sample. Of course this is all conjecture on my part as I'm not an expert in paper manufacture (don't know anything at all about it in fact). All I can say with any authority is that my sample was effectively not usable for FP writing.

 

I'm glad your ream is performing for you

[unfilterd]

Interesting that you've found significant bleedthrough and feather on the PaperOne Presentation Paper. I bought a single ream a few weeks ago for letter writing, and I didn't notice any feathering even with my juicy EF Visconti Homo Sapiens. A small amount of bleedthrough was noticeable though, which limited me to using only one side of the page.

 

Maybe I'll give Nature's Paper a shot once I'm done with this ream (Only 400+ pages left to go!). It's a fair bit cheaper than PaperOne Presentation, and it'll be a good buy if it indeed performs better with a FP.

 

I was really quite surprised at the PaperOne presentation paper as I had expected it to perform better. I don't know if you can see it clearly in the samples, but sometimes there is a big blobby sort of affair where it seems to have sucked some clear component of the ink away from the coloured components and wicked it into the surrounding paper (particularly evident with the Diamine Sepia which I never even imagined could feather before this). It's those blobby bits that are most evident on the reverse of the page. In use, it felt to me that the "size" or whatever you properly call the finish, was inconsistent across the page - in some parts of the page it felt to perform nicely and in other parts, terribly. I did notice a couple of tiny "pills" of what might have been the size, that I brushed off the paper before I started writing on it. Perhaps whatever holds the finish to the paper failed in my sample. Of course this is all conjecture on my part as I'm not an expert in paper manufacture (don't know anything at all about it in fact). All I can say with any authority is that my sample was effectively not usable for FP writing.

 

I'm glad your ream is performing for you

 

Neither am I! It's great that you've performed this comparative review though. With the exception of the Reflex and perhaps Double A paper, the papers you've reviewed are quite widely available here in Singapore. I was actually considering whether to try out Nature's Paper when I last went down to the bookstore.

 

I must say paper here seems to be slightly cheaper than the prices over in Oz. To the best of my memory, the prices here are:

 

PaperOne Presentation (S$10.90 / 500pcs)

PaperOne All Purpose (S$6.90 / 500pcs)

Nature's Paper (S$8? / 500pcs) -> Not very certain about this one

[ru32day]

Great review Jim. Thanks. I use the HP Colour Laser too and would add just one comment. I think it writes a fraction wide compared to harder papers. Not sure how else to describe that but I think you know what I mean by "writing wider".

 

I hadn't noticed this but I've now done the same test on Rhodia grid (writing) paper and I can definitely a small difference in width between the HP and the Rhodia. I did write more slowly on the HP paper though, as I was using a guide that I found hard to see through the paper - possibly slower writing=more ink=more width. Shall print a guide on the HP and test again.

[jimhughes]

Thanks for the update. Most of the papers I can find locally. I still haven't learned my lesson. Ordered some notebooks, I could only find at Notemaker au. Shipping was DHL only and $65 USD ouch. Been looking for a Preppy rollerball, am only finding FP's will look more. Thanks for all your help and a fantastic review. I tried Clorox Bleach and Carbona ink-stain remover, minimal effect on plastic pen Bbl and cap. Did wonders on the Tile floors B4

SWMBO got home. Jim

[ru32day]

Thanks for the update. Most of the papers I can find locally. I still haven't learned my lesson. Ordered some notebooks, I could only find at Notemaker au. Shipping was DHL only and $65 USD ouch. Been looking for a Preppy rollerball, am only finding FP's will look more. Thanks for all your help and a fantastic review. I tried Clorox Bleach and Carbona ink-stain remover, minimal effect on plastic pen Bbl and cap. Did wonders on the Tile floors B4

SWMBO got home. Jim

 

Hi Jim - Try www.gouletpens.com.au - I don't find much at notemaker that I can't find at Goulet (and I've received notebooks from Goulets in better condition than from notemaker - Goulets are VERY fussy about packing things so you don't get damaged corners etc).

 

Re the Preppy rollerball - AFAIK it's available only as a freebie with some 4.5 oz bottles of noodler's ink (including BSB). It was (may still be) briefly available to members of Goulet Pens ink drop - that's where I got mine - as they had some from the ink they'd used to make the ink samples. However it is possible to make one as follows:

 

Take 1 Preppy marker pen. (edited as I previously incorrectly put highlighter pen)

Buy a packet of Noodlers roller ball tips - $2 for 4.

Remove the marker tip assembly from the pen (it just pulls out - may need to gently twist if it's in very tightly)

Keeping the white plastic bit that looks like a cog with a long bit sticking out the back, remove the marker tip and replace with a rollerball tip.

Reinsert.

 

If you also want to convert to an ED you'll also need a Preppy "O" ring and some silicone grease (also both available from Goulet Pens).

 

If you already have a preppy you want to convert, you can just buy Preppy marker pen replacement tips instead of the marker pen.

 

I got this info from the videos and broadcasts at inknouveau.com (run by Goulet Pens for the FP community - can you tell by now that I'm a big fan?). I think the rollerball conversion was on the "Write Time at 9" broadcast a couple of weeks ago.

 

Hope this info helps.

 

BTW when you say minimal effect from the bleach, do you mean that it didn't get the stain out or it didn't have any adverse effect on the pen?

Edited March 30, 2011 by ru32day

[jimhughes]

ru32day:

Wow, you're a wealth of knowledge. I'm a big fan of Goulet Pens. His stuff comes to me out of Virginia to New Mexico in a couple of days, with reasonable postage rates. I thought I was watching all the goings on at Goulet, but this Rollerball makeover got under my radar. Thanks for all your help. I'm indebted to you. As to the Colorox bleach, pen still has a Pelikan 205 Blue demonstrator splotchy look to it. I left cap soaking in bleach overnite, no damage to plastic, but I couldn't tell if any of blue stain was removed, didn't look like it at all. I just said OK that's my BSB pen. I did get bold last week and took an Kaweco Rollerball, Put on a couple of Preppy O rings and silicone grease from Goulet and turned it into BSB ED Roller ball. BBL looks OK so far. Few stains to cap thread though. Have a great week, Jim

[ru32day]

ADDING 4 MORE PAPERS TO REVIEW:

 

Well I still wasn't happy that I'd found the best paper for my needs to I trotted off back to Officeworks today and purchased some more to try. Papers tested today were

 

1. 4CC 100GSM A4 - $12.00 ream/500 sheets

2. YES Digital Copy paper 100GSM A4 - $19.46 ream/500 sheets

3. Superior Colour Laser paper 100GSM A4 - $12.00 ream/500 sheets

4. Colour Copy (Mondi) 100GSM A4 - $7.99/100 sheets

 

I used the same pens and inks as before (haven't posted pics as I thought the ones in the previous review were probably already taking up a fair bit of FPN space relative to their value) but I am happy to put up a pic of a particular paper if anyone wants one.

 

The results:

 

The 4CC rates just below the Double A - Brighter than Double A and feels thicker, takes the ink at least as well as the HP paper on the front in terms of feathering, but had more showthrough and a bit more (not much) bleed than the Double A.

 

The YES paper rates just above the Double A, with a crisper line than any of the papers previously tested (thanks inkypete for drawing my eye to this point of difference). There was one tiny point of bleed from the M620 flex. This bleed was the only issue that stopped the paper from being rated above the HP overall. It's not quite as bright as the HP paper but it has more "slip".

 

The Mondi has the crispest line (better than the HP) and equals my reference Rhodia grid paper in this regard, with no discernable feathering. There are two tiny points of bleed on the Noodler flex with Sepia and the M620 flex. However, as with the HP, this paper can be purchased in a heavier weight ($14.72 for 250 sheets of 120GSM). It of equal brightness with the HP and a truer white IMO. Because of its superior performance in other aspects, I'll be going back tomorrow for the 120GSM version in the hope that this eliminates the only issue with this otherwise excellent paper and finally delivers perfection.

 

The Superior paper was the best of this bunch, with no feathering, low show-through and no bleed. Although marketed as 100GSM paper it somehow feels thicker. It is a bit brighter than the HP paper and a true white. Had I not seen the performance of the Mondi paper, I'd have been perfectly satisfied with this one, but there were points where its line was not as crisp and consistent as the Mondi. Although this paper is very smooth, the best description that I can give is that some lines looked like they had a bit of stuttery drag on the page (only noticable with magnification and very close inspection). This is being VERY picky and wouldn't have even been picked up, had I not been looking closely for any differences between this and the Mondi paper.

 

NB: Since the places where the Mondi and Superior outperform the HP relate to the way the ink lays on the page and not bleed, I don't believe that trying the HP in a heavier weight will deliver a better result than, say the Superior

 

So the new order of preference (mentioning only papers that I consider to be usable with FPs) is:

 

1. Superior 100GSM - almost perfect, better than and and nearly half the price of the HP.

2. HP Colour Laser Paper 100 GSM - looked good in the last line-up, but relatively expensive and can't reproduce the clean lines of all the papers tried out today

3. Colour Copy (Mondi) 100GSM - perfect line reproduction, marred only by a couple of tiny bleed points (also comes in heavier weights, from which I'm hoping the new No 1 perfect FP copy paper (for me) to emerge - mind you, I'll be paying over twice the price of the "Superior" paper for a very very small difference in quality)

4. Yes 100GSM copy paper - nice paper but no reason to pay the asking price when better performing paper can be had for around 2/3 the cost.

5. Nature's (Wheat) Paper 80GSM - the best performing of the lower weight/less expensive papers IMO - there's not much between this and the Double A

6. Double A - well performing, lower weight and less expensive

7. 4CC - Not bad, but better performing less expensive alternatives are available.

8. Reflex Bright White 80GSM - Not bad, but outclassed in this field

[TMA]

ADDING 4 MORE PAPERS TO REVIEW:

 

Well I still wasn't happy that I'd found the best paper for my needs to I trotted off back to Officeworks today and purchased some more to try. Papers tested today were

 

1. 4CC 100GSM A4 - $12.00 ream/500 sheets

2. YES Digital Copy paper 100GSM A4 - $19.46 ream/500 sheets

3. Superior Colour Laser paper 100GSM A4 - $12.00 ream/500 sheets

4. Colour Copy (Mondi) 100GSM A4 - $7.99/100 sheets

 

I used the same pens and inks as before (haven't posted pics as I thought the ones in the previous review were probably already taking up a fair bit of FPN space relative to their value) but I am happy to put up a pic of a particular paper if anyone wants one.

 

The results:

 

The 4CC rates just below the Double A - Brighter than Double A and feels thicker, takes the ink at least as well as the HP paper on the front in terms of feathering, but had more showthrough and a bit more (not much) bleed than the Double A.

 

The YES paper rates just above the Double A, with a crisper line than any of the papers previously tested (thanks inkypete for drawing my eye to this point of difference). There was one tiny point of bleed from the M620 flex. This bleed was the only issue that stopped the paper from being rated above the HP overall. It's not quite as bright as the HP paper but it has more "slip".

 

The Mondi has the crispest line (better than the HP) and equals my reference Rhodia grid paper in this regard, with no discernable feathering. There are two tiny points of bleed on the Noodler flex with Sepia and the M620 flex. However, as with the HP, this paper can be purchased in a heavier weight ($14.72 for 250 sheets of 120GSM). It of equal brightness with the HP and a truer white IMO. Because of its superior performance in other aspects, I'll be going back tomorrow for the 120GSM version in the hope that this eliminates the only issue with this otherwise excellent paper and finally delivers perfection.

 

The Superior paper was the best of this bunch, with no feathering, low show-through and no bleed. Although marketed as 100GSM paper it somehow feels thicker. It is a bit brighter than the HP paper and a true white. Had I not seen the performance of the Mondi paper, I'd have been perfectly satisfied with this one, but there were points where its line was not as crisp and consistent as the Mondi. Although this paper is very smooth, the best description that I can give is that some lines looked like they had a bit of stuttery drag on the page (only noticable with magnification and very close inspection). This is being VERY picky and wouldn't have even been picked up, had I not been looking closely for any differences between this and the Mondi paper.

 

NB: Since the places where the Mondi and Superior outperform the HP relate to the way the ink lays on the page and not bleed, I don't believe that trying the HP in a heavier weight will deliver a better result than, say the Superior

 

So the new order of preference (mentioning only papers that I consider to be usable with FPs) is:

 

1. Superior 100GSM - almost perfect, better than and and nearly half the price of the HP.

2. HP Colour Laser Paper 100 GSM - looked good in the last line-up, but relatively expensive and can't reproduce the clean lines of all the papers tried out today

3. Colour Copy (Mondi) 100GSM - perfect line reproduction, marred only by a couple of tiny bleed points (also comes in heavier weights, from which I'm hoping the new No 1 perfect FP copy paper (for me) to emerge - mind you, I'll be paying over twice the price of the "Superior" paper for a very very small difference in quality)

4. Yes 100GSM copy paper - nice paper but no reason to pay the asking price when better performing paper can be had for around 2/3 the cost.

5. Nature's (Wheat) Paper 80GSM - the best performing of the lower weight/less expensive papers IMO - there's not much between this and the Double A

6. Double A - well performing, lower weight and less expensive

7. 4CC - Not bad, but better performing less expensive alternatives are available.

8. Reflex Bright White 80GSM - Not bad, but outclassed in this field

 

 

I am surprised that the Superior paper is noticeably better than the 4CC. My ream of Superior is made by Stora Enso, the same maker as the 4CC.

 

I have some of the Nature's Paper (Wheat), and am quite impressed. I have yet to make it feather or bleed with anything. Not even a dip pen (which often scratches fibres open) with a wet Private Reserve ink could make it feather.

When I looked at a torn edge with a loupe, and compared it with a torn edge of Reflex, the fibres from the wheat paper were much finer and shorter than the wood fibre paper.

 

 

I will have to try some of the Mondi paper.

[TMA]

ADDING 4 MORE PAPERS TO REVIEW:

 

Well I still wasn't happy that I'd found the best paper for my needs to I trotted off back to Officeworks today and purchased some more to try. Papers tested today were

 

1. 4CC 100GSM A4 - $12.00 ream/500 sheets

2. YES Digital Copy paper 100GSM A4 - $19.46 ream/500 sheets

3. Superior Colour Laser paper 100GSM A4 - $12.00 ream/500 sheets

4. Colour Copy (Mondi) 100GSM A4 - $7.99/100 sheets

 

I used the same pens and inks as before (haven't posted pics as I thought the ones in the previous review were probably already taking up a fair bit of FPN space relative to their value) but I am happy to put up a pic of a particular paper if anyone wants one.

 

The results:

 

The 4CC rates just below the Double A - Brighter than Double A and feels thicker, takes the ink at least as well as the HP paper on the front in terms of feathering, but had more showthrough and a bit more (not much) bleed than the Double A.

 

The YES paper rates just above the Double A, with a crisper line than any of the papers previously tested (thanks inkypete for drawing my eye to this point of difference). There was one tiny point of bleed from the M620 flex. This bleed was the only issue that stopped the paper from being rated above the HP overall. It's not quite as bright as the HP paper but it has more "slip".

 

The Mondi has the crispest line (better than the HP) and equals my reference Rhodia grid paper in this regard, with no discernable feathering. There are two tiny points of bleed on the Noodler flex with Sepia and the M620 flex. However, as with the HP, this paper can be purchased in a heavier weight ($14.72 for 250 sheets of 120GSM). It of equal brightness with the HP and a truer white IMO. Because of its superior performance in other aspects, I'll be going back tomorrow for the 120GSM version in the hope that this eliminates the only issue with this otherwise excellent paper and finally delivers perfection.

 

The Superior paper was the best of this bunch, with no feathering, low show-through and no bleed. Although marketed as 100GSM paper it somehow feels thicker. It is a bit brighter than the HP paper and a true white. Had I not seen the performance of the Mondi paper, I'd have been perfectly satisfied with this one, but there were points where its line was not as crisp and consistent as the Mondi. Although this paper is very smooth, the best description that I can give is that some lines looked like they had a bit of stuttery drag on the page (only noticable with magnification and very close inspection). This is being VERY picky and wouldn't have even been picked up, had I not been looking closely for any differences between this and the Mondi paper.

 

NB: Since the places where the Mondi and Superior outperform the HP relate to the way the ink lays on the page and not bleed, I don't believe that trying the HP in a heavier weight will deliver a better result than, say the Superior

 

So the new order of preference (mentioning only papers that I consider to be usable with FPs) is:

 

1. Superior 100GSM - almost perfect, better than and and nearly half the price of the HP.

2. HP Colour Laser Paper 100 GSM - looked good in the last line-up, but relatively expensive and can't reproduce the clean lines of all the papers tried out today

3. Colour Copy (Mondi) 100GSM - perfect line reproduction, marred only by a couple of tiny bleed points (also comes in heavier weights, from which I'm hoping the new No 1 perfect FP copy paper (for me) to emerge - mind you, I'll be paying over twice the price of the "Superior" paper for a very very small difference in quality)

4. Yes 100GSM copy paper - nice paper but no reason to pay the asking price when better performing paper can be had for around 2/3 the cost.

5. Nature's (Wheat) Paper 80GSM - the best performing of the lower weight/less expensive papers IMO - there's not much between this and the Double A

6. Double A - well performing, lower weight and less expensive

7. 4CC - Not bad, but better performing less expensive alternatives are available.

8. Reflex Bright White 80GSM - Not bad, but outclassed in this field

 

 

I am surprised that the Superior paper is noticeably better than the 4CC. My ream of Superior is made by Stora Enso, the same maker as the 4CC.

 

I have some of the Nature's Paper (Wheat), and am quite impressed. I have yet to make it feather or bleed with anything. Not even a dip pen (which often scratches fibres open) with a wet Private Reserve ink could make it feather.

When I looked at a torn edge with a loupe, and compared it with a torn edge of Reflex, the fibres from the wheat paper were much finer and shorter than the wood fibre paper.

 

 

I will have to try some of the Mondi paper.

[ptrcao]

ADDING 4 MORE PAPERS TO REVIEW:

 

 

 

So the new order of preference (mentioning only papers that I consider to be usable with FPs) is:

 

1. Superior 100GSM - almost perfect, better than and and nearly half the price of the HP.

2. HP Colour Laser Paper 100 GSM - looked good in the last line-up, but relatively expensive and can't reproduce the clean lines of all the papers tried out today

3. Colour Copy (Mondi) 100GSM - perfect line reproduction, marred only by a couple of tiny bleed points (also comes in heavier weights, from which I'm hoping the new No 1 perfect FP copy paper (for me) to emerge - mind you, I'll be paying over twice the price of the "Superior" paper for a very very small difference in quality)

4. Yes 100GSM copy paper - nice paper but no reason to pay the asking price when better performing paper can be had for around 2/3 the cost.

5. Nature's (Wheat) Paper 80GSM - the best performing of the lower weight/less expensive papers IMO - there's not much between this and the Double A

6. Double A - well performing, lower weight and less expensive

7. 4CC - Not bad, but better performing less expensive alternatives are available.

8. Reflex Bright White 80GSM - Not bad, but outclassed in this field

 

 

I am surprised that the Superior paper is noticeably better than the 4CC. My ream of Superior is made by Stora Enso, the same maker as the 4CC.

 

I will have to try some of the Mondi paper.

 

Neither Mondi or Superior by Stora Enso are stocked in OfficeWorks as of now. Can you guys confirm this, and can anyone tell me where to get these papers from (in Australia)?

[TMA]

ADDING 4 MORE PAPERS TO REVIEW:

 

 

 

So the new order of preference (mentioning only papers that I consider to be usable with FPs) is:

 

1. Superior 100GSM - almost perfect, better than and and nearly half the price of the HP.

2. HP Colour Laser Paper 100 GSM - looked good in the last line-up, but relatively expensive and can't reproduce the clean lines of all the papers tried out today

3. Colour Copy (Mondi) 100GSM - perfect line reproduction, marred only by a couple of tiny bleed points (also comes in heavier weights, from which I'm hoping the new No 1 perfect FP copy paper (for me) to emerge - mind you, I'll be paying over twice the price of the "Superior" paper for a very very small difference in quality)

4. Yes 100GSM copy paper - nice paper but no reason to pay the asking price when better performing paper can be had for around 2/3 the cost.

5. Nature's (Wheat) Paper 80GSM - the best performing of the lower weight/less expensive papers IMO - there's not much between this and the Double A

6. Double A - well performing, lower weight and less expensive

7. 4CC - Not bad, but better performing less expensive alternatives are available.

8. Reflex Bright White 80GSM - Not bad, but outclassed in this field

 

 

I am surprised that the Superior paper is noticeably better than the 4CC. My ream of Superior is made by Stora Enso, the same maker as the 4CC.

 

I will have to try some of the Mondi paper.

 

Neither Mondi or Superior by Stora Enso are stocked in OfficeWorks as of now. Can you guys confirm this, and can anyone tell me where to get these papers from (in Australia)?

 

OfficeWorks is not very consistent with its stocking of overseas brands of paper. Products from Nu:Elite, Stora Enso and others seem to come and go at the whim of management.

They no longer stock Parker Quink ink, and I haven't seen the Parker fountain pens there for a long time.

[Bo Bo Olson]

A very nice review.

 

I live in Germany so have to find different papers.

I was some what disappointed with HP 120G Laser....

Some one sent me some, so I didn't waste my money buying a ream

 

I do not need two purpose paper...copier and fountain pen.

I find I have more 80g and even 100g paper that turned out to be only copier paper, that I'd hoped were good for fountain pens.

 

I do have some real good 'cheap' German 90g paper & the 120 by Zebra. So it is possible to find good paper at lower weights.

 

I am being drawn to the heavier paper, 150-170 that I've tried. I need to try the heavier, than 170 some time soon.

 

And if the letter is heavier because of more pages, I should give up donuts, or something, to save up more money for postage.

Edited March 12, 2012 by Bo Bo Olson