Recommendation For A Binder And Fp Friendly Paper I Can Print On

[jclewis33]

I need a recommendation for a good quality binder that I can store loose paper in. I would like something nicer than a 3 ring binder you find at Wal Mart. I also prefer to work with smaller sheets (8.5 X 5.75).

 

I also need a recommendation for FP friendly paper I can print on.

 

I currently use a Leuchtteurm with printer paper pasted on half the page and I write my hand written notes on the other half of the page. I would prefer to just print on the paper and put it in a binder. Would save me time and would insure my notebook doesn't get too thick since the pasted printed on paper makes for a thick notebook over time. Also I find the pasted on paper likes to fall off after a while.

 

What would you recommend?

[Fountainer]

Somebody please answer to the man, so i don't have to put... this: http://timesystem.fi/shared/cat_2015_2/

I don't know about you but that's by far the most beautiful (and expensive: 222 €) ring binder i have seen. I thought last year's Croco model was cool enough... This is too much for just storing empty papers though, so a rather bad answer to this topic. But surely there are different models and this is maybe to give some idea. This particular model is not being sold online, so you should come and get it...

This is in my mind so often and at least now i got it out. Relief!

[WirsPlm]

The disc-bound notebooks are pretty good (Levenger's version is Circa, Staples, Office Depot and CVS also have their own versions) which come in regular ans smaller versions (Staples in particular has all kinds of sizes), as well as the Mead Flex if you really want a 3-ring binder type notebook (but it's much cheaper looking than the disc-bound notebooks). For paper try HP 32 lb paper, anything 28 lb or above should work pretty well (I think it's 90 gsm or above if you're in Europe?).

[osmel2489]

In my opinion you can't go wrong with Rhodia notebooks, they use clairefontaine paper which is excellent for any fountain pen use. I carry a webnotebook around all day at work, they have several sizes to choose from.

[jclewis33]

I like Rhodia notebooks but I need something that I can put pages in after I print on them. It seems like the disc notebooks would work.

 

Also, does anyone know if there are options to get a notebook printed and bound? Something using FP friendly paper, of course.

[dneal]

I have a Levenger Circa system (Junior Size) as a calendar/planner/meeting notebook/etc... The disc system is pretty ingenious, but Levenger's prices are a bit outrageous.

 

For what you're talking about, I would look to the Japanese. They make paper that is very thin (you can get a lot of sheets in a notebook without it becoming too "fat", and it is wonderfully FP friendly. A5 works out pretty close to 1/2 of a standard letter sized piece of paper (8.5"x5.5"). Here's an example of the type of binder system you can get:

 

http://www.nanamipaper.com/products/life-loose-leaf-binders.html

 

Note that I'm not recommending for or against that particular vendor, and am just linking to the product.

[jclewis33]

I have a Levenger Circa system (Junior Size) as a calendar/planner/meeting notebook/etc... The disc system is pretty ingenious, but Levenger's prices are a bit outrageous.

 

For what you're talking about, I would look to the Japanese. They make paper that is very thin (you can get a lot of sheets in a notebook without it becoming too "fat", and it is wonderfully FP friendly. A5 works out pretty close to 1/2 of a standard letter sized piece of paper (8.5"x5.5"). Here's an example of the type of binder system you can get:

 

http://www.nanamipaper.com/products/life-loose-leaf-binders.html

 

Note that I'm not recommending for or against that particular vendor, and am just linking to the product.

Yes, the binder system looks nice. Leavenger is quite expensive for what I need it for. I mainly use Leuchtteurm notebooks for most of my writing but I need a binder system for one activity.

 

Do you know if you can print on the paper you linked to?

[dneal]

Honestly, I'm still not sure if by "print", you mean printed writing or run it through a printer (laser, inkjet, etc...). I've read your posts both ways, but with that last one I'm back to thinking you mean run it through a printer.

[ac12]

I like Rhodia notebooks but I need something that I can put pages in after I print on them. It seems like the disc notebooks would work.

 

Also, does anyone know if there are options to get a notebook printed and bound? Something using FP friendly paper, of course.

 

Try this guy.

https://www.facebook.com/CurnowBookNLeather

GREAT stuff and nice guy. He comes to our Pen Posse.

Edited January 14, 2015 by ac12

[petravana]

I use an A5 Filofax six ring binder and use whatever paper I want. Filofaxes (or Day Runner type) binders come in many colors and price ranges. Buy the best A4 paper you can get your hands on and cut it in half. Go with the heaviest weight you're willing to pay for. A5 paper is also available. I buy mine from Empire Imports as they specialize in European paper sizes in the US. You can run it through the printer and create whatever lines, dots, boxes or lists you want.

[jclewis33]

Awesome thanks. What paper do you usually buy?

[SCPaul]

I use a Staples Arc notebook. I use the weekly planner that comes with it but use HP 24 lb Laserjet paper for note taking. It is wonderful for fountain pens and reasonably cheap.

[jclewis33]

Thanks a lot. I will look into that notebook.

[Bill Broome]

I use a springback thesis binder. You can buy them on the Internet. Hard cover, no punching needed.

[jclewis33]

I use a springback thesis binder. You can buy them on the Internet. Hard cover, no punching needed.

Ok, great. That sounds ideal. I will look into those notebooks. Thanks.

[jclewis33]

I use a springback thesis binder. You can buy them on the Internet. Hard cover, no punching needed.

Any particular brand you recommend?

[Drone]

Any particular brand you recommend?

 

I am not the poster about the thesis binders in this thread - but I am familiar with these binders.

 

Before I copy and paste what I have on these binders, let me say this: Spine-clamp binders do not really lay flat for writing when opened. They are fine for reading, like a book, but I find writing in them to be a problem compared to lay-flat binders. Also, if you are going to be removing and re-inserting sheets all the time, be aware that the clamp may become stressed or may even break at some point.

 

There are two main "Spine-Clamp" or "Springback" binder makers I know of. I'm sure there are some Chinese manufacturer's of these things out there. But these are the two I know of::

 

In the U.S. there is Roaring Spring Paper Products. They sell two letter sized spine clamp binders, one holds 1 inch of paper, the other holds 2 inches of paper. I don't know where these binders are made. You can find these binders readily in the U.S. I seem to remember Sears and perhaps Walmart carrying them over the counter. Working from memory the 1 inch binder costs around $25 USD. Here's a link to the product Web page:

 

http://www.rspaperproducts.com/products/thesis-binders

 

Here is a picture of their 1-inch binder scraped from their Web site:

 

 

In the U.K. there is Springback Binders. The spine clamps on these binders are circular so they may hold up better over time. The actual U.K. "Springback" binder manufacturer has a quantity-10 minimum order. However you can find these binders sold by resellers. Unfortunately, often the resellers sell the binders embossed with speciatly titles like used for a photo-album or a wedding guest book. I see A4 sized Springback binders on the Web for around $30 USD each. Here's a link to the "Springback" manufacturer's site:

 

http://www.springbackbinders.com/

 

Here's a picture of their Springback binders scraped from their Web site. Here you can see the circular clamp cross-section:

 

 

Best Regards, David

Edited January 20, 2015 by Drone

[Algester]

My paper is Muji A5 loose leaf so is the binder... it works for me even when doing calligraphy without the problems of bleeding and is probably available elsewhere as long as there's a Muji store...

[Drone]

I need a recommendation for a good quality binder that I can store loose paper in. I would like something nicer than a 3 ring binder you find at Wal Mart. I also prefer to work with smaller sheets (8.5 X 5.75).

 

I also need a recommendation for FP friendly paper I can print on.

 

I currently use a Leuchtteurm with printer paper pasted on half the page and I write my hand written notes on the other half of the page. I would prefer to just print on the paper and put it in a binder. Would save me time and would insure my notebook doesn't get too thick since the pasted printed on paper makes for a thick notebook over time. Also I find the pasted on paper likes to fall off after a while.

 

What would you recommend?

 

I print my own lined, grid, graph, etc. paper and use it in a binder. I do not believe in bound notebooks except for laboratory use where practices dictate you only use a notebook with pages that cannot be removed. Otherwise, I think bound notebooks are restrictive, ecologically wasteful, and hugely over-priced.

 

After a lot of experimentation I think I have found my sweet-spot in terms of notebooks.

 

My solution may not be easy for you to duplicate in your country, but if you read through the description, I think you will get the philosophy behind it.

 

I use Kokuyo brand 20-hole A5 ring binders which are manufactured in Japan. There are other sizes available as well: 30-hole A4, which is closest to U.S. "Letter" size, and the in-between sized 26-hold B5 versions

 

These multi-hole binders are much better compared with two, three or even six-ring binders. The paper is held much more securely and the rings are much smaller so they interfere less when writing on the paper inside the binder. More holes and rings also means less torn holes. This is important if you remove/replace the paper often.

 

Here's more information on these multi-hole formats used often in Asia. From Nanamipaper:

 

http://www.nanamipaper.com/pages/japanese-binders.html

 

The particular notebook I use is rather difficult to find - almost impossible in the U.S. It is the Kokuyo notebook with the weird rubber-like black or gray flexible covers and the stainless steel 20-hole internal rings. At around $30-$35 USD each, these are not cheap. But there are lots of options when it comes to 30/26/20 hole binders out there. Do a Web search, look on ebay, and of-course there's amazon. Maruman brand comes to mind. But they seem quite expensive.

 

The paper is the key. I use Kokuyo (again) blank white 20-hole pre-punched paper. This paper has rounded corners with identical characteristics on both sides of the paper. This is the standard Kokuyo "Campus" brand paper. I pay a bit less than $4 USD per pack of 100 sheets. This paper prints perfectly and most import, it is superb with fountain pens, even when writing on both sides of the sheet. This paper is available in A5, B5 and A4 sizes in blank or with various line, graph or dot patterns. I am based in Asia currently. Expect to pay at least twice as much for this paper in the U.S. if you can find it. But even then , this paper is a bargain in my opinion.

 

Beware, Kokuyo Japan has been purchasing stationary companies in China and India in the past few years. There are paper and notebook products out there with primarily off-brand names, but with the Kokuyo label that are of comparatively poor quality when compared with the Japan-made Kokuyo products. But so-far from what I've seen, the products branded "Campus/Kokuyo and Kokuyo-proper are still Japan-made only. So you are still safe. Just pay attention to the labeling. Anything that alludes to an "International" version of a Kokuyo product may not be Japanese made.

 

If you want to punch your own multi-hole A4/B5/A5 paper, there are punches out there. I have a Chinese-made destop punch that works up to 30 holes. I bought it over the counter and don't know where to get another one. But I hear the "Carl Neo" and "Lihit Lab" punches work. Here's a ink to a page that carries them at my post time:

 

http://www.jetpens.com/Hole-Punches/ct/2009

 

As for my printer: I use an Epson ME Office inkjet printer. Epson ink is indelible for the most part. My printer has an automatic duplex feeder that can print on both sides of the paper. it is also LAN and WiFi capable. I think this printer is only available in Asia. But the point is, I recommend Epson ink-jets when printing your own stationary. Out here in Asia, you can buy a kit that hacks the printer and adds huge "Ink Silos" that bring down your cost per page enormously - not that I've done anything like that

 

Good Luck, David in Jakarta

Edited January 20, 2015 by Drone

[drv1913]

I like Russell + Hazel products, and their mini binders would suit the page size that you prefer:

 

http://russellandhazel.com/category/binders%20files

 

They come in a variety of different colors. For long-term archiving, I like the Desk sized Day-timer storage cases:

 

http://www.daytimer.com/daytimerstore/mwv/product/Archive-Storage-Set-with-2%22-Ring-Slipcase-Desk-Size-/81720?searchClickId=&catId=&prodId=81720