Don't Know What Paper to Use for Your Fountain Pens? Here is a Guide of 9 Best Fountain Pen Friendly Paper for You!

9 Best Fountain Pen Friendly Paper and Notebook Comparison Review - Buchan's Kerrisdale Stationery Store

For over a century, fountain pens have stood the test of time as a delightful writing instrument. Their effortless glide across paper brings practicality to work and study sessions, while the vast range of ink choices transforms them into tools for crafting creative masterpieces. Yet, to truly unleash the magic of fountain pens, the choice of paper matters. With a market flooded with hundreds of paper and notebook options, selecting the right one, especially for newcomers to fountain pens, can be quite a challenge. Fret not! Navigating the world of fountain pen-friendly paper doesn't have to be a headache, and that's where we come in to guide you on this paper-perfect journey!

 

In this blog, we are thrilled to spill the ink on 9 BEST papers that promise to enhance your writing experience. From smooth glides to ink absorption, we'll dive into the intricate details of each paper, guiding you towards the perfect match for your fountain pen adventures. Without further ado, let’s get started!

 

Rhodia Paper Pad

Rhodia paper is celebrated among fountain pen enthusiasts for its exceptional smoothness and resistance to feathering and bleed-through, providing an ideal canvas for the precise and fluid ink flow of fountain pens. Its high-quality, acid-free construction ensures a delightful writing experience, making Rhodia notebooks and pads a preferred choice for those who appreciate the combination of premium paper and the elegance of fountain pens.

Rhodia Notebook Paper Review - Best Fountain Pen Friendly Paper Comparison - Buchan's Kerrisdale Stationery

Rhodia Notebook Paper Review - Best Fountain Pen Friendly Paper Comparison - Buchan's Kerrisdale Stationery

Weight: 80gsm
Smoothness: ★★★★☆ Excellent smoothness
Feathering: ★★★★★ Minimum feathering
Bleeding: ★★★★★ Very low bleeding even with large ink deposition 
Ghosting: ★★★★☆ Low ghosting
Drying time: ★★★★☆ Very fast
Ink colour expression:
  • Sheen: ★★★☆☆ Moderate expression for sheen
  • Shading: ★★★☆☆ Moderate expression for multi-chromatic shading
  • Shimmer: ★★★☆☆ Moderate expression for shimmers
Recommended occasions: Note-taking at work or school, journaling, and sketching.

 

Leuchtturm 1917 Classic Notebook

Leuchtturm's paper quality stands out for its exceptional compatibility with fountain pens, offering a smooth and consistent writing experience with minimal feathering. Coupled with its sophisticated and classy appearance, Leuchtturm notebooks provide both performance and style for fountain pen enthusiasts who appreciate the seamless fusion of function and aesthetic appeal. 

Leuchtturm 1917 Notebook Paper Review - Best Fountain Pen Friendly Paper Comparison - Buchan's Kerrisdale Stationery

Leuchtturm 1917 Notebook Paper Review - Best Fountain Pen Friendly Paper Comparison - Buchan's Kerrisdale Stationery

Weight: 80gsm
Smoothness: ★★★☆☆ Smooth with subtle feedback
Feathering: ★★★★☆ Very low feathering
Bleeding: ★★★☆☆ Very low bleeding with normal writing, but it may have bleeding with large ink deposition or wet nibs
Ghosting: ★★★☆☆ Moderate ghosting
Drying time: ★★★★☆ Very fast
Ink colour expression:
  • Sheen: ★★☆☆☆ Low expression for sheen
  • Shading: ★★★★☆ Great expression for multi-chromatic shading
  • Shimmer: ★★★☆☆ Moderate expression for shimmers
Recommended occasions: Quick note-taking at meetings or school 

 

 

Leuchtturm 1917 120G Edition Notebook

Leuchtturm's 120g paper distinguishes itself with its luxurious weight, providing fountain pen users with a robust and smooth writing surface that minimizes feathering and ghosting. The exceptional paper quality combined with the sophisticated design has made the 120g Edition notebooks an ideal choice for any bullet journal enthusiasts and professionals. 

Leuchtturm 1917 120g Edition Notebook Paper Review - Best Fountain Pen Friendly Paper Comparison - Buchan's Kerrisdale Stationery
Leuchtturm 1917 Notebook Paper Review - Best Fountain Pen Friendly Paper Comparison - Buchan's Kerrisdale Stationery
Weight: 120gsm
Smoothness: ★★★★☆ Excellent smoothness
Feathering: ★★★★★ Minimum feathering
Bleeding: ★★★★☆ Very low bleeding with normal writing; it only has bleeding with large ink deposition with certain inks
Ghosting: ★★★★★ Minimum ghosting
Drying time: ★★★★★ Very fast
Ink colour expression:
  • Sheen: ★★☆☆☆ Low expression for sheen
  • Shading: ★★☆☆☆ Low expression for multi-chromatic shading
  • Shimmer: ★★★☆☆ Moderate expression for shimmers
Recommended occasions: Quick note-taking at meetings or at school, journaling especially bullet journaling, and sketching

 

 

Clairefontaine My Essential Notebook

Similar to Rhodia, Clairefontaine paper has been a staple for a lot of fountain pen enthusiasts due to its flawless and enjoyable writing experience free from feathering or bleed-through. The paper's high opacity and exceptional ink resistance make it an optimal choice for showcasing the vibrant colours of inks while ensuring clean and precise lines.

Clairefontaine Notebook Paper Review - Best Fountain Pen Friendly Paper - Buchan's Kerrisdale Stationery
* Picture for showing the back of the paper is under construction at the moment...

Clairefontaine Notebook Paper Review - Best Fountain Pen Friendly Paper - Buchan's Kerrisdale Stationery

Weight: 90gsm
Smoothness: ★★★★★ Excellent smoothness
Feathering: ★★★★☆ Excellent feathering resistance
Bleeding: ★★★★☆ Very low bleeding even with large ink deposition 
Ghosting: ★★★★☆ Low ghosting
Drying time: ★★★★☆ Very fast
Ink colour expression:
  • Sheen: ★★★☆☆ Moderate expression for sheen
  • Shading: ★★☆☆☆ Low expression for multi-chromatic shading
  • Shimmer: ★★★☆☆ Moderate expression for shimmers
Recommended occasions: Note-taking at work or school, journaling, and sketching.

 

Profolio Oasis Journal 

The Profolio Oasis Notebook simplifies the daunting choice between dot grid, graph, or lined paper by ingeniously combining all three in its proprietary pattern, making it versatile for handwriting, bullet journaling, and drawing without a ruler. Filled with soft Japanese paper that is thin yet fountain-pen friendly, this notebook's design, including the ability to lay flat or fold 360 degrees has made another great paper option for fountain pen lovers. 

Profolio Oasis Journal Notebook Paper Review Fountain Pen Friendly - Buchan's Kerrisdale Stationery
Profolio Oasis Journal Notebook Paper Review Fountain Pen Friendly - Buchan's Kerrisdale Stationery
Weight: 75gsm
Smoothness: ★★★★★ Excellent smoothness
Feathering: ★★★★☆ Excellent feathering resistance
Bleeding: ★★★☆☆ Low bleeding with regular writing, but it may have some bleeding with a large amount of ink deposition or wet nibs
Ghosting: ★★★☆☆ moderate ghosting
Drying time: ★★★★★ Very fast
Ink colour expression:
  • Sheen: ★★☆☆☆ Low expression for sheen
  • Shading: ★★★☆☆ Moderate expression for multi-chromatic shading
  • Shimmer: ★★★☆☆ Moderate expression for shimmers
Recommended occasions: Note-taking at work or school, and journaling

 

Maruman Loose Leaf Paper

Maruman loose leaf paper is renowned for its exceptional quality and versatility, making it an ideal choice for various writing and note-taking needs. Its ultra-smooth surface and high opacity ensure a pleasurable writing experience, with minimal bleed-through, catering to fountain pen enthusiasts and those who appreciate premium paper for their everyday tasks.

Maruman Loose Leaf Paper Notebook - Paper Review - Best Fountain Pen Friendly Paper - Buchan's Kerrisdale Stationery

Maruman Loose Leaf Paper Notebook - Paper Review - Best Fountain Pen Friendly Paper - Buchan's Kerrisdale Stationery

Weight: 80gsm
Smoothness: ★★★★★ Excellent smoothness
Feathering: ★★★★☆ Excellent feathering resistance
Bleeding: ★★★☆☆ Very low bleeding with regular writing, but it may have some bleeding with a large amount of ink deposition with certain inks
Ghosting: ★★★★☆ Very low ghosting
Drying time: ★★★★★ Very fast
Ink colour expression:
  • Sheen: ★★★☆☆ Moderate expression for sheen
  • Shading: ★★★☆☆ Moderate expression for multi-chromatic shading
  • Shimmer: ★★★★☆ Great expression for shimmers
Recommended occasions: Note-taking at work or school, journaling, and sketching

 

Maruman Mnemosyne Notebook

Named after the Greek goddess of memory, Maruman's Mnemosyne line seamlessly blends sophisticated style with high-quality paper, making it the ideal choice for professionals, students, and artists alike. With its fountain pen-friendly quality, Mnemosyne products offer a superior writing experience, ensuring smooth and precise lines with minimal bleed-through, setting them apart as the perfect notebooks and notepads for those who appreciate both elegance and functionality in their writing tools.

Maruman Mnemosyne Notebook Paper Review - Best Fountain Pen Friendly Paper Comparison - Buchan's Kerrisdale Stationery

Maruman Mnemosyne Notebook Paper Review - Best Fountain Pen Friendly Paper Comparison - Buchan's Kerrisdale Stationery

Weight: 80gsm
Smoothness: ★★★★★ Excellent smoothness
Feathering: ★★★★☆ Excellent feathering resistance
Bleeding: ★★★★★ Minimum bleeding even with large ink deposition 
Ghosting: ★★★★★ Minimum ghosting
Drying time: ★★★☆☆ Moderate fast
Ink colour expression:
  • Sheen: ★★★☆☆ Moderate expression for sheen
  • Shading: ★★★☆☆ Moderate expression for multi-chromatic shading
  • Shimmer: ★★★★☆ Great expression for shimmers
Recommended occasions: Note-taking at work or school, journaling, and sketching

 

Midori MD Paper Notebook

Beloved by a lot of writers and artists alike, Midori MD Paper Notebook contains subtly textured and cream-coloured paper that offers a delightful surface for various creative tools, including fountain pens. Renowned for its ability to showcase vibrant ink colours, the MD paper transforms each page into an ideal canvas for creative artwork, making it a great choice for those seeking both functionality and artistic expression in their notebooks.

Midori MD Paper Notebook Review Ink Swatches Test Best Fountain Pen Friendly Paper - Buchan's Kerrisdale Stationery Store

Midori MD Paper Notebook Review Ink Swatches Test Best Fountain Pen Friendly Paper - Buchan's Kerrisdale Stationery Store

Smoothness: ★★★☆☆ Smooth with subtle texture
Feathering: ★★★★★ Minimum feathering
Bleeding: ★★★★★ Minimum bleed-through 
Ghosting: ★★★☆☆ Moderate ghosting
Drying time: ★★★★☆ Very fast
Ink colour expression:
  • Sheen: ★★★★★ Excellent expression for sheen
  • Shading: ★★★★☆ Excellent expression for multi-chromatic shading
  • Shimmer: ★★★★★ Exceptional expression for shimmers
Recommended occasions: Note-taking at work or school, journaling, sketching, and drawing

 

 

Tomoe River Paper (Sanzen Version)

Hailing from Japan, Tomoe River Paper has been well known for its ultra-thin and lightweight composition, making it a preferred choice for crafting slender yet durable notebooks and journals. Renowned for its smooth texture, this paper offers an exceptional writing experience, showcasing the fluidity of fountain pen inks with minimal feathering and bleed-through. Its unique qualities, including transparency and the ability to enhance ink sheen and shading, make Tomoe River Paper a coveted option among stationery connoisseurs and fountain pen enthusiasts.

Sanzen 52gsm Tomoe River Paper Review Ink Swatches Test
Sanzen 52gsm Tomoe River Paper Review Ink Swatches Test
Weight: 52gsm 
Smoothness: ★★★★☆ Very smooth
Feathering: ★★★★★ Minimum feathering
Bleeding: ★★★★★ Very low bleed-through 
Ghosting: ★★★☆☆ Moderate ghosting
Drying time: ★★★☆☆ Moderate
Ink colour expression:
  • Sheen: ★★★★★ Excellent expression for sheen
  • Shading: ★★★★★ Exceptional expression for multi-chromatic shading
  • Shimmer: ★★★★★ Excellent expression for shimmers
Recommended occasions: Journaling, sketching, drawing, and light watercoloring

 

 

In the intricate world of fountain pens, where fountain pen-friendly paper is vast and varied, with each option offering its unique qualities to enhance your writing experience. From the luxurious weight of Leuchtturm's 120g Edition Notebook to the unparalleled ink expression of Tomoe River Paper, there's a perfect match for every fountain pen enthusiast. Whether you're taking notes at work, journaling your thoughts, or sketching your next masterpiece, choosing the right paper can elevate your writing journey to new heights. We hope that this review of 9 different fountain pen friendly paper will help you unlock the full potential of your fountain pens with every stroke. 

 

Happy writing and until next time!