Lined or Blank paper? what do you use?

[qvxb]

I prefer lined paper, but can use unlined paper without a problem.

[Ink Stained Wretch]

Ah, another old thread from another decade revived .

 

I use lined, partly because the inexpensive spiral notebooks I'm using these days are lined, and partly because I am very used to using lined paper for many things. I suppose that it's a holdover from the middle of the previous century when I was taught writing on lined paper.

 

I did score unlined blank books long ago, and I've even used them. Unfortunately, they are a lot more expensive than the lined spiral bound notebooks I fill up these days. I do use unlined loose sheets for things, however. Something I noticed a couple of years ago was that I no longer have the tendency I'd had long ago to have my handwriting dip down and to the right. I write pretty much a straight line on unlined paper. I suspect that this is a result of writing on lined paper so much for so long.

 

I have a number of unlined blank books around still, and I have some uses for them in mind. I also have some grid and some dot notebooks, which one day I really plan on using .

 

I used to prefer college ruled lines on my paper, but now I need to have wide rules so that I can see what I'm writing. My eyes are not that good at seeing anything small these days .

[Nibson]

My first choice is squared paper because it keeps my messy handwriting more precise. After that, I would opt for either dot grid or narrow feint lined paper. Blank would then rate just above my least favourite which is broad feint lined.

[IndigoBOB]

Unlined Seven Seas Standard all the way: Less restrictive, more creativity, learn to let go of perfecting and the lines go straighter at the widths and directions they want... with a few added drawings even (stick figures and what not).

 

But I do have back ups of Seven Seas Cafe's, which are lined, which I do like for the B6 size.

 

I will say that the lines on the seven seas writer's are nice and minimal, but though there is little added challenge of writing straighter on a blank page, there is something special about a completely blank page that you can't get with lines or dots or grids.

[eachan]

I use both but my first choice is blank paper. Even though I'm quite able to ignore feint lines their very presence feels restrictive. I tend to choose whatever is cheap and fountain pen friendly at the time so I don't always manage to buy blank.

[Studio97]

I still have a LOT of lined notebooks which today make me feel that I am obligated to use them as they were meant to be used. So I have often said there are no rules in journaling except those imposed on yourself. So write on the pages across the lines, skipping lines. Who cares? I have been sketching in color pencil on some pages. Blank pages are preferred and i need to force myself to stop buying more lined books even at substantial discounts. I really need counseling and a support group for that problem.

Edited September 27, 2017 by Studio97

[PAKMAN]

Sadly can't use unlined paper, my sentences go all over the place without lines to guide me.

[sidthecat]

I concur: without lines, my sentences drift. I’ll write letters on blank paper with a guide sheet underneath. And I draw on the stuff, like I did in junior high.

[katerchen]

I concur: without lines, my sentences drift. I’ll write letters on blank paper with a guide sheet underneath. And I draw on the stuff, like I did in junior high.

 

I really like this guy's PDF generators (no connection) :

 

http://incompetech.com/graphpaper/

 

I usually print the guide on heavy HP paper (the name escapes me, it's that 32lb paper that gets discussed here regularly) so I have replacements when one gets too ratty.

 

-k

[Bergerac]

Blank paper but with a line guide underneath. If I didn't have the guide, my writing would drift downwards.

[VivienR]

Same here, prefer blank paper with guiding sheet underneath. Otherwise, my lines will angle differently...

[vjones]

I've been using lined paper, but I'm thinking my next journal will be a blank Seven Seas Standard. My handwriting is somewhat large, and I often use broad nibs, so I usually wind up writing on every other line. Otherwise things can get kind of cramped. I'm interested in generally seeing more white space. I also like writing on grids, especially the techo grid, but for my journal I'm looking for something a little more open. The only thing that doesn't seem to grab me is dot grid paper.

Edited September 27, 2017 by vjones

[Retro-user]

My first foray into blank paper, and I liked it.

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/327566-bleed-through-battle-ucreate-sketchbook/?p=3920982

Edited September 28, 2017 by Retro-user

[grasshopper]

Assuming prices are the same, my first choice is unlined.

 

Strangely (or maybe not), my second choice is graph/squared.

 

I like lined the least.

 

But really, any paper will do!

[Runnin_Ute]

Not terribly particular, but I seem to use them more or less in the following order: (but depends on the notebook)

 

unlined - guide sheet when I think about it - Tomoe River, Rhodia

dot grid-Rhodia, Leuchtturm

lined-composition, red n black

graph rhodia

[TSherbs]

Lined or blank?

 

Yes

[MHBru]

Mostly lined w an occasional dot grid.... never blank and never ever graph

[IndigoBOB]

If I'm doing long writing sessions, I definitely want to use the LIned Seven Seas writer...

 

But for short sessions and jotting, definitely blank Seven Seas Standard.

 

Got to be Tomoe River Paper though .

[kazoolaw]

Use both.

 

Prefer blank.

[Rosendust2121]

I prefer lined paper as I have been using it for as long as I can remember