Georgia Pacific Copy Paper - Not Terrible

[CoolBreeze]

I've been playing around with blue ink samples and trying to write on every kind of paper I could find to see what I liked. Interestingly enough, I found a ream of Georgia Pacific Multipurpose copy paper laying around and discovered it wasn't as terrible as I was expecting. While my preferred paper is Tomoe River, but I can seem to bring myself to use it as scrap paper. I find myself needing cheap copy paper for quick note taking and general scrap. For this purpose, I have used a Staples Eco-Easy Bagasse Spiral Notebook. My understanding is that it is 15lb paper BUT if you buy the copy paper version, that is 20lb. Unfortunately, I have only been able to find that you can buy it by the case and I am not really interested in committing myself to that much paper at the moment. That being said, if someone can confirm the pound/performance differences are actually true, that could also be an interesting option for the copy paper problem.

 

Attached are 4 images of 4 papers. That were written at the same time, and I "tried" to use the 7mm guide of the spiral notebook for all of them but it was hard to see through some of the paper - so its not all perfect. This is not a professional test so, if letters look bigger it is because the camera was closer on some than others but in real life, they were all written within the 7mm rule (give or take a mm). Unfortunately, I wasn't paying attention on the last line of the Staples bagasse and had a smear problem - yes this business can get messy. So I put the M805 also on the top line (so it doesn't necessarily match the order as the other 3) - Sorry!

 

Conclusion - Compared to general Staples copy paper, line width and feathering is considerably improved. Compared to the Staples Bagasse, line width actually looks a hair smaller (especially in person). On the pics, the least feathering looks like it goes to Bagasse but in person (and at normal viewing distance), it looks the same. I've also taken a pic of some Tomoe River 52gsm for reference. I just love how liquid the ink looks but you can use it for line reference too which to my eye looks very close for all but the Staples Copy paper. In person, I can really notice the lack of spread (admittedly it is small) between the Bagasse and the Georgia Pacific which is kind of makes me prefer it for my intended role. That being said, ink looks ever so slightly better on the Staples Bagasse - which will probably make me want to try the 20lb version soon. I guess you can't have everything. Hope you all enjoy. Interesting to hear if you have any experience with Georgia Pacific! Maybe their higher end paper is even better?!!?!

 

ETA - I had to get a bunch of stuff printed for work at Office Depot's self-serve copiers a few months ago. I was just able to find a piece and briefly wrote on it. It seems like had a lot of promise too. I believe they use their own branded general 20lb paper in those machines.

 

Edited May 5, 2020 by CoolBreeze