Cream/Off-White/Beige Paper?

[JDlugosz]

I don't like lines because they are either too close or too far apart for the size of my handwriting. And the size of my handwriting varies depending on the pen I'm using, my mood, etc. Also, one of my goals was/is to write in straight lines without lines. You'll notice that my handwriting isn't really straight and it also veers off up or down, but it's getting better with practice...

 

I'm printing my own lettering lines for learning cursive italic, and I can make the gauge anything I want. I just changed the x-height guide line to move it higher to make the small letters taller. With loose sheets I can grab any size I want from a selection.

 

[Treet]

I purchased from Staples, brick and mortar, the last two ( Ampad gold fibre writing pads) with a grid on the back of each sheet! They only had 8 1/2x11, smaller ones were out of stock. Works fine with fp. I could not locate them on their web site. Will be on the search, love them!

 

Treet

[TMLee]

Try Conqueror paper.

 

They are very reliable. I use the 100gsm Laid range of ivory and cream range. They don't feather, don't bleed , and you can't see the ink on the reverse page. Its also classy, and comes with matching envelopes.

 

BTW, I too prefer cream colored paper. I find them producing more appealing drawings when I do some sketching with washes, no matter what color of ink is used. Not so with white paper.

 

All (well almost) my journals are cream coloured papers, including the ones I make.

 

 

 

 

[Margana]

Try Conqueror paper.

Is there a stockist in the U.S.?

[TMLee]

Try Conqueror paper.

Is there a stockist in the U.S.?

 

This is what I found from their webpage

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MiniMaupassant]

So, why do you prefer blank to lined?

 

I don't like lines because they are either too close or too far apart for the size of my handwriting. And the size of my handwriting varies depending on the pen I'm using, my mood, etc. Also, one of my goals was/is to write in straight lines without lines. You'll notice that my handwriting isn't really straight and it also veers off up or down, but it's getting better with practice...

 

Doug

Doug - I completely agree with you! I am dedicated to plain paper, although it really reduces my paper options!

[HDoug]

Doug - I completely agree with you! I am dedicated to plain paper, although it really reduces my paper options!

 

We are an oppressed market-niche minority, I'm afraid. A poll I posted (still open) shows that only 20% of us prefer unlined paper (with another 8% preferring blank paper with a guide sheet). When I found that large Lalo cahiers were perfect, they discontinued them. After a search, I found that Exacompta's large Basics sketchbook were quite adequate. Discontinued. I recently found these Kunst & Papier journals and I'm wondering what I'll use after they're discontinued!

 

I'm trying some Lalo tablets (off-white or ivory, I think) which are in the mail to me at this moment. I'll post a report after I give them a test drive. Do you have any papers/journals you could recommend?

 

Doug

 

[Carène]

The Mowhawk Paper website (the parent company of Strathmore) offers free samples of paper. I just ordered some, although it seems you can just order one selection of the loose paper. I also ordered a swatchbook, which should have all of the available colors/textures. They don't even charge for shipping!

 

http://www.mohawkpaper.com/

[Songwind]

I just did that as well - it allowed me to order a total of 15 sheets of the loose paper. I got 3 sheets each of five weights and colors.

[leprechaun]

I just picked up a ream of Strathmore Natural White Wove Finish in 24# from a local Mini Mac and it is probably exactly what you are seeking. I went into the store with my wettest, most finicky pen and wrote on a whole bunch of swatch books. The staff thought I was nuts, but I found a paper perfect for my uses. As a bonus, the Strathmore is 25% cotton and the wove finish is quite smooth.

 

Be warned... if you are a paper geek, these types of places (Mac Papers, xpedx) may induce sensory overload.

 

Wow... I did not mean to resurrect a thread from more than 2 years ago, but such is life.

 

Other thoughts:

 

Classic Crest 24# Smooth Finish feathers, but the Super Smooth Finish does not. Sadly they don't carry the Super Smooth.

Classic Crest 28# Smooth Finish is also incredible, but they don't carry it.

Mohawk Superfine 24# is perfect, but they don't carry it.

 

For those curious, my torture test was a 1926 Duofold Junior with a firehose full-flex medium nib. Ink was Noodler's Apache Sunset.

[WRob]

I might have missed it, but I didn't see anyone mention G.Lalo's Verge De France. The glued top pad has half cream and half lite brown(?). Great for writing & unlined. Very FP friendly. If you'd like, I could send you a couple of sheets & the matching envelopes, so you could see if you like it?

 

Becca

 

+1 on the G Lalo, though if you want it in great quantities, it could be quite pricey.

 

 

 

[mikey]

Hello Souldrifter,

 

Ampad Gold Fibre pads are good. They come in several colors and are available at Staples.

 

Southworth paper is also good. It comes in several colors, weigths and finishes. It is also available at Staples.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks,

Mike

[jleeper]

If your looking for a 8.5x11 ream of unprinted paper in a natural/off-white color, I recommend Wausau Exact Ice Natural. Less expensive than the Strathmore or Classic Crest by at least 1/2, if not more, but rather good with most pen/ink combos. And it comes in several writing and text weights. It won't take massive amounts of ink like the Classic Crest, but comes close. (IMHO, if a pen/ink combo will feather on Classic Crest, then that pen combo is just putting out too much ink. CC is my standard, but an expensive standard. Wausau Ice is very good for everyday; my 'everyday' standard.) Domtar Cougar also makes a natural color; I love it in regular white, but haven't tried the natural.

 

If you can find a paper distributor that can sell it to you locally, I'd try that. Otherwise you can find either from various online sellers. I pay less than $9 for a ream of the 8.5x11 Exact Ice.

Edited October 21, 2010 by jleeper

[jsonewald]

I just recently discovered some decent paper at Staples - #703366 "Fine Laser Paper, 25% Cotton - Ivory" and #703354 ... White". It is 8 1/2x11, 33lb, 300 sheets, and about $14/ream.

[Bookman]

I'm looking for 8.5x11 off-white (and far more off than white) sheets that are loose and not bound, ultra-smooth (AMPAD? AMPAD is junk), and there cannot be any show-through or bleed-through. Basically, I'm looking for Moleskine-colored HP 24lb. Laserjet Paper. Is there anything like this out there?

[Bookman]

I just recently discovered some decent paper at Staples - #703366 "Fine Laser Paper, 25% Cotton - Ivory" and #703354 ... White". It is 8 1/2x11, 33lb, 300 sheets, and about $14/ream.

 

Have you actually used a fountain pen on the ivory paper? Is it as smooth as HP 24lb. or 32lb laser paper? I've found Staples brand papers to vary widely in quality, even when the only difference between the papers was supposedly the color. (Staples Signa 8.5x11 yellow-pad paper is very FP-friendly. The package of Staples Signa 8.5x11 white-pad paper that I bought was just the opposite, and I had to return it. Worthless junk. The package of Staples white M pads were just as awful, and I returned those.)

[Silvermink]

My Quo Vadis Habana's got some nice cream-colored paper in it.

[leprechaun]

I just recently discovered some decent paper at Staples - #703366 "Fine Laser Paper, 25% Cotton - Ivory" and #703354 ... White". It is 8 1/2x11, 33lb, 300 sheets, and about $14/ream.

 

Have you actually used a fountain pen on the ivory paper? Is it as smooth as HP 24lb. or 32lb laser paper? I've found Staples brand papers to vary widely in quality, even when the only difference between the papers was supposedly the color. (Staples Signa 8.5x11 yellow-pad paper is very FP-friendly. The package of Staples Signa 8.5x11 white-pad paper that I bought was just the opposite, and I had to return it. Worthless junk. The package of Staples white M pads were just as awful, and I returned those.)

Try either Mohawk Superfine or Classic Crest with a Super Smooth finish if you can find it locally. Try a print shop/paper distributer. They are perfect and I believe come in either a "Natural" or "Soft White" in the 24#. No bleed-through and smooth as butter in the 24#. I received some samples, but am not willing to pay the shipping fees for a mere ream or two. I settled with Strathmore Natural White Wove 24# (locally available) and I am very happy.

 

FYI, the Classic Crest Smooth finish in 24# is okay, but the Super Smooth finish is exceptional.

[Bookman]

I just recently discovered some decent paper at Staples - #703366 "Fine Laser Paper, 25% Cotton - Ivory" and #703354 ... White". It is 8 1/2x11, 33lb, 300 sheets, and about $14/ream.

 

Have you actually used a fountain pen on the ivory paper? Is it as smooth as HP 24lb. or 32lb laser paper? I've found Staples brand papers to vary widely in quality, even when the only difference between the papers was supposedly the color. (Staples Signa 8.5x11 yellow-pad paper is very FP-friendly. The package of Staples Signa 8.5x11 white-pad paper that I bought was just the opposite, and I had to return it. Worthless junk. The package of Staples white M pads were just as awful, and I returned those.)

Try either Mohawk Superfine or Classic Crest with a Super Smooth finish if you can find it locally. Try a print shop/paper distributer. They are perfect and I believe come in either a "Natural" or "Soft White" in the 24#. No bleed-through and smooth as butter in the 24#. I received some samples, but am not willing to pay the shipping fees for a mere ream or two. I settled with Strathmore Natural White Wove 24# (locally available) and I am very happy.

 

FYI, the Classic Crest Smooth finish in 24# is okay, but the Super Smooth finish is exceptional.

 

Thanks. I'll check these out.

[jsonewald]

I just recently discovered some decent paper at Staples - #703366 "Fine Laser Paper, 25% Cotton - Ivory" and #703354 ... White". It is 8 1/2x11, 33lb, 300 sheets, and about $14/ream.

 

Have you actually used a fountain pen on the ivory paper? Is it as smooth as HP 24lb. or 32lb laser paper? I've found Staples brand papers to vary widely in quality, even when the only difference between the papers was supposedly the color. (Staples Signa 8.5x11 yellow-pad paper is very FP-friendly. The package of Staples Signa 8.5x11 white-pad paper that I bought was just the opposite, and I had to return it. Worthless junk. The package of Staples white M pads were just as awful, and I returned those.)

 

I have tried several pen/ink combinations on the ivory and white. Both papers feel the same to me, and are very smooth. Neither is as smooth as Staples Eco-friendly bagasse or Rhodia, but they are pretty close.