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The Best Fountain Pen Paper

The Best Fountain Pen Paper

March 26, 2024 - Posted by Connie to Guides, Fountain Pens, Paper, Notebooks

The Best Fountain Pen Paper

When writing with fountain pens and inks, you’ll get the best results by using fountain pen friendly paper. But with so many options out there, how can you tell what the best paper for fountain pens is? To help you choose, we’ll share recommendations from well-known brands like Tomoe River, Rhodia, and Clairefontaine, as well as other great choices.

Watch our video below and keep reading to see our fountain pen paper picks.

What Is the Best Fountain Pen Paper?
Tomoe River S Paper is the best fountain pen paper.
Tomoe River S Paper is the best fountain pen paper.

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Tomoe River S Paper is the best fountain pen paper. It’s the go-to choice for fountain pen users thanks to its ability to bring out the best of every fountain pen ink. The paper is silky smooth, lightweight, and resistant to feathering and bleedthrough.

Although the original Tomoe River paper produced by Tomoegawa was discontinued in 2019, paper manufacturer Sanzen created a worthy replacement in Tomoe River S. Inks dry quicker on Tomoe River S, and it’s even more resistant to bleedthrough than the original!

Because Tomoe River S is so thin, it does exhibit a lot of showthrough. Writers who find this distracting can read our guide for similar paper alternatives. At JetPens, we recommend Rhodia DotPad Paper to those who prefer less showthrough and don’t mind using a thicker paper.

Fountain Pen Friendly Paper Considerations

If you’re anything like us at JetPens, odds are you already have a stash of notebooks that you’d like to try with your fountain pens. You may be wondering, “How do I know if my paper is fountain pen friendly?” We list key considerations below.

Dry Time
Most fountain pen papers are less absorbent than typical papers, and inks will take longer to dry on them.
Most fountain pen papers are less absorbent than typical papers, and inks will take longer to dry on them.
The less absorbent a paper is, the longer it takes for ink to dry. A paper with very low absorbency will have less feathering, but it’s more prone to smudging because the ink sits on top of the paper while drying.

When a paper is more absorbent, it’s more likely that inks will bleed through (we’ll go over this situation below). You should choose a paper that has the right balance of dry times and bleedthrough for you. Left-handed writers may prefer a more absorbent paper, while those who use extra fine nibs with drier flow can consider using less absorbent paper.

If you’re worried about long dry times leading to smudged writing, blotting paper can be a lifesaver. Gently press it onto writing that's still wet to soak up excess ink. You can also place it between the pages of a notebook to prevent smearing. While you're writing, rest your hand on a sheet of blotting paper to keep hand oils from transferring to the paper and affecting how the ink dries.

Feathering
Papers that resist feathering will keep your writing neat.
Papers that resist feathering will keep your writing neat.
Feathering happens when ink spreads through paper fibers, resulting in an ugly, web-like mess. Low-quality paper is more prone to feathering. High-quality paper is designed to resist the spread of ink along its fibers so your lines stay crisp and clean.

Aside from the paper itself, nib size and ink formula can both play a role in the amount of feathering that occurs. Broader nibs put down more ink on the page, so there’s more ink that can soak into the paper’s fibers. Some inks are simply more prone to feathering regardless of nib size or paper, too.

Bleedthrough and Showthrough
For the best performance, seek out papers that have low showthrough and no bleedthrough.
For the best performance, seek out papers that have low showthrough and no bleedthrough.
When ink soaks through a page to the other side, that’s called bleedthrough. It can happen when paper is too thin or too absorbent, or when a fountain pen ink is particularly wet. In some cases, bleedthrough can be so extreme that it leaves a mark on the sheet behind it!

The fibers of fountain pen friendly papers are specifically woven to prevent this from occurring, but you may still see traces of what you’ve written on the other side of the paper. This “shadow” is also known as showthrough. The level of showthrough largely depends on the paper’s opacity, which can be affected by the paper’s thickness or the kinds of fibers it uses. A thicker paper will likely have less showthrough, but that doesn’t mean that it will have less bleedthrough.

Showthrough is not necessarily a weakness in fountain pen friendly paper. In fact, many of the recommendations in this guide have significant showthrough. The amount of showthrough that’s tolerable is unique to each fountain pen user. If you find it distracting or difficult to use the backside of a paper that exhibits showthrough, consider using a thicker paper instead.
Paper Color
Fountain pen papers usually come in crisp white, but some papers are offered in ivory or cream hues.
Fountain pen papers usually come in crisp white, but some papers are offered in ivory or cream hues.
A crisp, clean white is the standard for most fountain pen paper. Its neutral tone is the best choice for inks to show their true colors. White paper varies across different manufacturers: some papers are a bright white, while others are a soft off-white.

Ivory- and cream-colored paper options are also available. They’re easier on the eyes but they also change the appearance of colored inks slightly.

Paper Texture
Most fountain pen papers have smooth surfaces which allow the nib to glide across the paper. Others, like the Original Crown Mill Pure Cotton, have some texture for a tactile writing experience.
Most fountain pen papers have smooth surfaces which allow the nib to glide across the paper. Others, like the Original Crown Mill Pure Cotton, have some texture for a tactile writing experience.
Most fountain pen papers have smooth surfaces so nibs glide across the page. Some papers have hints of “tooth” or texture that provide tactile sensations.

Usually, a paper’s coating (also called sizing) affects its smoothness. A fully coated paper is slippery, and inks usually take longer to absorb and dry. An uncoated paper tends to be more textured and may soak up ink.

For all writers, we recommend starting with papers that are partially coated for smooth writing experiences and reasonable dry times. As your familiarity with fountain pens increases, you’ll develop your preferences in regards to paper texture.

Paper Weight
We compared 100 sheets of 52 gsm Tomoe River S (left) with 100 sheets of 75 gsm Sakae TP Iroful (right) in the image above.
We compared 100 sheets of 52 gsm Tomoe River S (left) with 100 sheets of 75 gsm Sakae TP Iroful (right) in the image above.
Paper weight—measured in pounds (lbs) or grams per square meter (gsm)—determines a paper’s thickness. A higher paper weight doesn’t necessarily mean that the paper is better or less likely to exhibit feathering or bleedthrough.

Paper weight matters most when it comes to combining sheets into a notebook or notepad. Thinner paper allows for notebooks to have more pages, though it also generally increases the likelihood of showthrough.

Sheet Style
Fountain pen paper comes in a range of sheet styles, like lined, dot grid, graph, and blank.
Fountain pen paper comes in a range of sheet styles, like lined, dot grid, graph, and blank.
Fountain pen paper comes in a range of sheet styles, including lined, dot grid, graph, and blank. Lined paper is great for everyday writing. Dot grid and graph paper offer guidelines that can also help for creating tables and diagrams. And blank paper is perfect for doodling and visual note-taking.

For those who prefer blank sheets, some manufacturers will include a template called a guide sheet that can be layered behind the paper to help keep your writing straight.

The Best Notebooks for Fountain Pens

Whether you’re a student who takes notes for class or a professional who project plans down to the last detail, notebooks for fountain pens help keep things organized.

The Best Fountain Pen Notebooks for Students: Kokuyo Campus Dotted Line Notebooks
Kokuyo Campus Dotted Line Notebooks combine dot grid with horizontal lines so you can take notes and draw function graphs on the same paper.
Kokuyo Campus Dotted Line Notebooks combine dot grid with horizontal lines so you can take notes and draw function graphs on the same paper.

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Students who have browsed the JetPens website may already be familiar with the Kokuyo Campus series. Kokuyo Campus Notebooks and Loose Leaf Papers offer fountain pen friendliness at budget prices. Our favorites have to be the Campus Dotted Line Notebooks thanks to their innovative sheet styles. They combine dot grid with horizontal lines so you can take notes and draw function graphs on the same paper.

The Kokuyo Campus lineup offers plenty of stationery items geared towards students that anyone can use. Read more about them in our guide.

Those who would benefit from rearranging notes can consider Kokuyo Campus Sarasara Loose Leaf Paper. The B5 sheets are similar in size to U.S. standard filler paper, though they can only be used with 26-hole binders.

The Best Fountain Pen Notebooks for Remote Workers: Tsubame Fools E-Style Horizontal Notebooks
Tsubame Fools E-Style Notebooks feature horizontal layouts that are excellent for remote workers.
Tsubame Fools E-Style Notebooks feature horizontal layouts that are excellent for remote workers.

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Tsubame Fools E-Style Notebooks feature horizontal layouts that are excellent for remote workers. They tuck neatly in front of computers or laptop keyboards without taking up much desk space. The JetPens team recommends sticking with the B5 size, which is similar to a composition notebook, but a larger A4 size is also available.

Tsubame Fools Notebooks are well-known for their charming covers. They’re filled with smooth, high-quality paper in your choice of white or cream. The sheets are lightly textured, so you have full control over your fountain pen. Inks take longer to dry and there is some showthrough, but it won't get in the way of using the back side of the paper.

The Best Fountain Pen Notebooks for Professionals: Kobeha Graphilo Notebooks
Kobeha Graphilo Style Notebooks are elegant choices for professionals because they fit nicely in any office setting.
Kobeha Graphilo Style Notebooks are elegant choices for professionals because they fit nicely in any office setting.

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Kobeha Graphilo Style Notebooks are elegant choices for professionals because they fit nicely in any office setting. Their neutral-colored covers won’t draw attention when taking meeting notes. These notebooks come in graph, lined, and blank sheet styles. Their smooth, off-white papers have just a hint of tooth and are ideal for use with fountain pens.

Kobeha Graphilo paper resists feathering and bleedthrough, even when combined with the wettest inks. This means that fountain pen ink effects like sheening and shading reveal their true potentials on this paper. However, as a trade-off, writing does take a while to dry. The Style Notebooks include sheets of SUITO blotting paper that can be used to absorb slow-drying inks.

Kobeha Graphilo also comes in packs of loose leaf paper.

The Best Planners for Fountain Pens

Planners for fountain pens promote productivity, offering a tactile way to organize your day. Our recommendations are undated, so you don’t have to worry about wasting pages if you skip days. For more information on all the planners we carry, read our Best Planners guide.

The Cutest Planners for Fountain Pens: Mark’s Log Diaries
Mark's Log Diaries come in horizontal weekly and daily formats, both of which offer plenty of space for tasks, doodles, and notes.
Mark’s Log Diaries come in horizontal weekly and daily formats, both of which offer plenty of space for tasks, doodles, and notes.

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Mark’s Log Diaries are not only cute, they’re functional, too. Choose from horizontal weekly or daily formats, both of which include monthly spreads for keeping track of appointments, plain paper for memos, and handy extra trackers like wishlists. No matter which planner you use, you’ll have plenty of space for tasks, doodles, and notes.

The paper in Mark’s Log Diaries smooth with just a hint of texture. Inks take some time to fully dry. There is some showthrough, but it wasn’t so bad that we couldn’t use the other side of the paper. The JetPens team also appreciates that the papers’ print colors match the cover colors.

The Best Minimalist Planner for Fountain Pens: Stalogy Editor's Series Notebooks
These minimalist Stalogy Notebooks were created to give editors ample space for keeping track of appointments, to do lists, and sketching ideas.
These minimalist Stalogy Notebooks were created to give editors ample space for keeping track of appointments, to do lists, and sketching ideas.

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These minimalist Stalogy Notebooks were created to give editors ample space for keeping track of appointments, to do lists, and sketching ideas. Each page has a header for noting the current day and a graph sheet style printed in a light gray. Inks dry quickly on this smooth paper, although it does display significant showthrough. Wetter inks or pens may also experience some bleedthrough.

Stalogy Editor’s Series Notebooks are available in a number of sizes, including compact A6 and larger A5 and B5 sizes. The 365Days Stalogy Notebooks have enough pages for planning throughout a calendar year, while slimmer 1/2 Year Notebooks are more portable.

The Best Bullet Journals for Fountain Pens: Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journals
Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journals feature thick 120 gsm paper.
Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journals feature thick 120 gsm paper.

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Bullet journaling relies on a system of writing down tasks, marking them complete, and “migrating” incomplete tasks to a different day. Since its inception, it’s expanded to include features like habit trackers, reading lists, and long term goal plans.

Leuchtturm1917 worked directly with the founder of the Bullet Journal, Ryder Carroll, to develop official Bullet Journals. They have everything you need to get started, including stickers to help you set up calendars. If you’re new to the bullet journal method, a guide booklet is included, or you can visit the official website for more information.

The Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journals feature thick 120 gsm paper. It’s smooth and inks dry relatively quickly. Although there’s very little showthrough, the heavyweight paper makes this planner more bulky and better for keeping at home or the office.

The Best Journals for Fountain Pens

While planners are typically used for organizing busy schedules, fountain pen users record their memories in journals. They also offer spaces for flexing creative muscles.

The Cutest Journals for Fountain Pens: Clairefontaine Collection 1951 Notebooks
Clairefontaine Collection 1951 Notebooks have covers reminiscent of typical composition notebook designs, but the paper inside is definitely an upgrade.
Clairefontaine Collection 1951 Notebooks have covers reminiscent of typical composition notebook designs, but the paper inside is definitely an upgrade.

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Clairefontaine Collection 1951 Notebooks have covers reminiscent of typical composition notebook designs, but the paper inside is definitely an upgrade. The bright white paper weighs in at 90 gsm and resists feathering, bleedthrough, and showthrough without requiring exceptionally long dry times.

The Collection 1951 Notebooks come in two versions: the glue-bound notebooks have ninety-six sheets, while the staple-bound notebooks have forty-eight sheets. Both versions feature charming cover colors for showing off your personality.

Learn more about the fountain pen friendly Clairefontaine lineup by reading our comprehensive guide.

The Best Everyday Journals for Fountain Pens: JetPens Tomoe River S Kanso Noto Notebooks
JetPens Kanso Noto Notebooks are packed with exquisite Tomoe River S Paper.
JetPens Kanso Noto Notebooks are packed with exquisite Tomoe River S Paper.

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Our Kanso Noto Notebooks are packed with exquisite Tomoe River S Paper. At just 52 gsm, it’s incredibly thin yet resistant to feathering and bleedthrough, so writers can journal with all of their fountain pens and inks. However, there is a high amount of showthrough, which may render the back side of the paper unusable depending on your tolerance.

For the JetPens team, the amount of showthrough is an acceptable trade-off for paper that handles fountain pen inks this well. The Kanso Noto includes 160 sheets of paper yet is only half an inch thick, making it wonderfully portable.

The Best Minimalist Journals for Fountain Pens: Midori MD Notebooks
Minimalist Midori MD Notebooks are carefully designed to give users a pleasant writing experience.
Minimalist Midori MD Notebooks are carefully designed to give users a pleasant writing experience.

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Minimalist Midori MD Notebooks are carefully designed to give users a pleasant writing experience. MD paper was originally developed in 1960 and has been continuously improved ever since. It has a fairly short drying time and soft, smooth texture that makes it ideal for everyday writing. However, there is a significant amount of showthrough, which may be inconvenient if you want to use the back side of the paper.

These notebooks have simple cardstock covers with cloth tape binding. The paper inside is more yellow in tone than other papers in this guide, which can make your colored fountain pen inks look slightly different.

Read our Midori MD comprehensive guide for more details about these minimalist notebooks.

The Best Notepads for Fountain Pens

Notepads for fountain pens are great for to-do lists and reminders. Many are available in smaller sizes than notebooks and journals, so you can tuck them in a handbag or shirt pocket.

The Best Professional Notepads for Fountain Pens: Maruman Mnemosyne Notepads
With a name that references the mother of the nine muses in Greek mythology, Maruman’s Mnemosyne Notepads are sure to inspire your creativity.
With a name that references the mother of the nine muses in Greek mythology, Maruman’s Mnemosyne Notepads are sure to inspire your creativity.

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With a name that references the mother of the nine muses in Greek mythology, Maruman’s Mnemosyne Notepads are sure to inspire your creativity. The semi-matte black covers are tastefully accented with gold foil stamping on the front for a sleek and professional look.

Mnemosyne paper is silky smooth with a relatively fast dry time and minimal showthrough. With an impressive array of sizes and styles to choose from, you can select the notepad that fits your needs. We especially love the lined memo pads that have bold dividing lines for organizing notes.

Read more about Maruman Mnemosyne notepads in our comprehensive guide.

The Best Everyday Carry Notepads for Fountain Pens: Rhodia DotPad Notepads
Rhodia DotPad Notepads have luxuriously smooth paper that displays minimal showthrough and bleedthrough.
Rhodia DotPad Notepads have luxuriously smooth paper that displays minimal showthrough and bleedthrough.

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It should come as no surprise that Rhodia DotPad Notepads are very popular in the fountain pen community. The luxuriously smooth paper inside has a dot grid sheet style that is noticeable enough to provide guidelines, yet its subtle gray color ensures it isn’t distracting. Inks dry quickly with minimal showthrough or bleedthrough. Since it’s so well-known and reliable, we use Rhodia DotPad paper for our fountain pen writing samples!

Rhodia Notepads are available in two binding styles. The twin ring version makes it easy to use the back side of the sheet without tearing it out of the notepad. The staplebound version features covers that are scored near the staples, allowing them to be folded back neatly.

Learn more about the entire Rhodia lineup in our dedicated guide.

The Best Portable Notepads for Fountain Pens: Leuchtturm1917 Reporter Notepads
Small, pocket-sized notepads like the Leuchtturm1917 Reporter are handy for writing down tasks or ideas as they pop up
Small, pocket-sized notepads like the Leuchtturm1917 Reporter are handy for writing down tasks or ideas as they pop up.

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Small, pocket-sized notepads like the Leuchtturm1917 Reporter are handy for writing down tasks or ideas as they pop up. Each notebook has many thoughtful details such as a table of contents, numbered pages, back cover pocket, and elastic band closure that protects the paper from becoming crumpled in a bag.

Leuchtturm1917’s 80 gsm paper has some texture that provides satisfying feedback. It’s absorbent so inks dry fairly quickly, but it also exhibits significant showthrough. If you prefer wetter inks or pens that put down a lot of ink, you may also experience bleedthrough.

Read our Leuchtturm1917 comprehensive guide for more information.

The Best Letter Writing Paper for Fountain Pens

Writing and sending a letter through the mail is a lovely way to use your fountain pens. High-quality letter writing paper is sure to impress your pen pals!

The Best White Letter Writing Paper for Fountain Pens: Clairefontaine Triomphe Notepads & Envelopes
Clairefontaine Triomphe stationery is a favorite among letter writers who use fountain pens.
Clairefontaine Triomphe stationery is a favorite among letter writers who use fountain pens.

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Clairefontaine Triomphe stationery is a favorite among letter writers who use fountain pens. With little to no showthrough and a downright silky texture, this bright white paper is a joy to write on.

The blank notepads include guide sheets which can be tucked under the pages and help you write in a straight line. Clairefontaine also offers matching envelopes with self-adhesive flaps that can fit A4 sheets folded into thirds and letter-size sheets folded in thirds.

The Best Lightweight Letter Writing Paper for Fountain Pens: Life Airmail Letter Pads & Envelopes
Life Airmail Letter Pads and Envelopes embrace the nostalgia of crinkly onionskin pages and envelopes striped with red and blue details.
Life Airmail Letter Pads and Envelopes embrace the nostalgia of crinkly onionskin pages and envelopes striped with red and blue details.

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Incredibly lightweight yet durable, Life Airmail Letter Pads and Envelopes embrace the nostalgia of crinkly onionskin pages and envelopes striped with red and blue details. During the early days of airmail, this kind of paper was a necessity because the cost of each letter was determined by its weight. Such cost-cutting measures are no longer necessary, but letter writers can still enjoy this translucent paper.

Inks dry quickly on the letter pad, and some colors may even appear differently on Airmail paper than on more opaque paper. However, because the paper is so thin, using the back side of the sheet is practically impossible.

Two Life envelope sizes are available. The Western No. 2 will fit sheets torn from the letter pad and folded into quarters with plenty of room to spare. The Western No. 6 requires the sheets to be folded in thirds. Both versions have self-adhesive flaps.
The Best Cotton Letter Writing Paper for Fountain Pens: Original Crown Mill Pure Cotton Writing Pads & Envelopes & Cards
Original Crown Mill Pure Cotton stationery is made from 100% pure cotton. It has a soft, plush texture that is smooth yet tactile.
Original Crown Mill Pure Cotton stationery is made from 100% pure cotton. It has a soft, plush texture that is smooth yet tactile.

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Original Crown Mill Pure Cotton stationery is made from 100% pure cotton. It has a soft, plush texture that is smooth yet tactile. The paper is on the more absorbent side, so ink dries relatively quickly without excessive feathering. However, there is moderate showthrough on the back of the paper. A guide sheet is included with every pad of blank paper. Matching envelopes are also available. The C6 envelopes perfectly fit an A5 sheet folded in half, while the C6/5 envelopes are made for A4 sheets folded into thirds.

For short correspondence that is no less elegant, Original Crown Mill also creates note cards.

The Best Loose Leaf Paper for Fountain Pens

Loose leaf paper for fountain pens is very versatile. Artists and calligraphers can create artworks without tearing paper out of notebooks. Students and professionals can hole punch it if needed and turn it into filler paper for binders. And those who plan can use it to create their own planner systems.

The Best Loose Leaf Filler Paper for Fountain Pens: Kleid Loose Leaf Paper
Kleid Loose Leaf Paper has a 2 mm graph sheet style that’s great for precise note-taking and diagrams.
Kleid Loose Leaf Paper has a 2 mm graph sheet style that’s great for precise note-taking and diagrams.

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Kleid Loose Leaf Paper has a 2 mm graph sheet style that’s great for precise note-taking and diagrams. It’s made with OK Fools Paper, a high-end Japanese writing paper that’s inspired by British foolscap paper. Writing feels smooth but not glassy, and inks dry fairly quickly. Wetter pens and inks may cause more showthrough. One thing to note is that when the ink is dry, the paper’s light blue grid does peek through the writing, which can be distracting.

Add Kleid Loose Leaf Paper to stylish Kleid Fleek Binders or other compatible Japanese binders.

The Best Colored Loose Leaf Paper for Fountain Pens: Raymay Decona Paper Refills
Soft pink Raymay Decona Paper Refills are great for adding color to Raymay Decona System Binders.
Soft pink Raymay Decona Paper Refills are great for adding color to Raymay Decona System Binders.

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Tired of planning with the same old white and cream paper? Try Raymay Decona Paper Refills. Their soft pink papers are great for adding color to Raymay Decona System Binders. Choose from dot grid or ruled sheet styles for note-taking and everyday writing, and undated monthly and weekly refills for keeping track of due dates and appointments. Combine the refills with Raymay Decona Accessories to create a binder customized to your needs.

The Decona Refills are made with Tant paper that is quite textured but still pleasant to write on. Inks dry fairly quickly although there is some showthrough. We noticed that ink does not feather, but lines can be affected by the paper’s texture. If you need your writing to be as crisp as possible, ivory Tomoe River Paper refills are also available.

The Best Calligraphy Loose Leaf Paper for Fountain Pens: SAKAE TP Iroful Loose Leaf Paper
Manufactured with a special surface treatment to show off inks, SAKAE TP Iroful Loose Leaf Paper is perfect for calligraphers.
Manufactured with a special surface treatment to show off inks, SAKAE TP Iroful Loose Leaf Paper is perfect for calligraphers.

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Manufactured with a special surface treatment to show off inks, SAKAE TP Iroful Loose Leaf Paper is perfect for calligraphers. Writing is exceptionally crisp, and the paper’s slight texture helps you maintain control over your pen. We find that the paper is perfect for demonstrating shading and sheening effects. Darker inks will be more prone to exhibiting showthrough, though.

Iroful Loose Leaf Paper is available in blank and dot grid styles. Please note that the dot grid is only on the front side of each sheet.

Portable Iroful Notebooks are also available and include a graph sheet style.

Honorable Mentions

These unique fountain pen papers didn’t fit our other categories but we think they still deserve a shout-out.

The Best Fountain Pen Paper for Ink Swatches: Col-o-ring Ink Testing Books
Fountain pen users can catalog their ink collections with Col-o-ring Ink Testing Books.
Fountain pen users can catalog their ink collections with Col-o-ring Ink Testing Books.

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Fountain pen users can catalog their ink collections with Col-o-ring Ink Testing Books. Their sheets are thick with some texture and can handle swatches made with cotton swabs, paintbrushes, fountain pens, and dip pens. Showthrough is essentially nonexistent, but we still suggest swatching ink on just one side to make flipping through the cards easier.

The standard version has sheets with enough space for swatching the ink and writing its name. The smaller Mini version can be dipped into ink bottles with wider mouths. The sheets are held together on a binder ring and ball chain, respectively, which is helpful when rearranging sheets. The Oversize version is larger and similar in size to a memo pad. This makes it ideal for swatching inks side by side to compare them.

The Best Sketchbooks for Fountain Pens: Stillman & Birn Sketchbooks
Pair fountain pens for drawing with reliable Stillman & Birn Sketchbooks. The writing sample was created using the Zeta series.
Pair fountain pens for drawing with reliable Stillman & Birn Sketchbooks. The above writing sample was created using the Zeta series.

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Many artists use fountain pens for drawing for their convenience and ability to produce precise linework. Pair these pens with reliable Stillman & Birn Sketchbooks. There are six different paper types to choose from, all of which handle ink well and produce little to no showthrough.

If you’re not sure which Stillman & Birn Sketchbook to pick up, the JetPens team recommends the Zeta series. It has smooth, heavyweight 270 gsm paper that’s best for wet and dry media, watercolors, and ink. Plus, its white paper shows off colors faithfully.

Check out our other favorite sketchbooks here if you like using media other than ink.

The Best Fountain Pen Paper Sampler: Yamamoto Fountain Pen Friendly Paper Collection
If you’ve ever wanted to try a sampling of different papers to develop your tastes, check out the Yamamoto Fountain Pen Friendly Paper Collection.
If you’ve ever wanted to try a sampling of different papers to develop your tastes, check out the Yamamoto Fountain Pen Friendly Paper Collection.

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If you’ve ever wanted to try a sampling of different papers to develop your tastes, check out the Yamamoto Fountain Pen Friendly Paper Collection. It includes several different types of premium paper that are sourced from various manufacturers in Japan. Each paper type includes a handy preface with details about the paper’s history and noteworthy characteristics, including information about dry times and showthrough.

Yamamoto frequently changes the papers that are included in this pad, but we think it’s a good trade-off for trying various A4 size fountain pen friendly papers in one convenient pack.

Writers who feel some trepidation about adding a stack of A4 paper to their collection can consider Yamamoto Paper Testing Volumes instead. They come with three types of paper, each with twenty-five sheets, in B7, A6, and B6 sizes.
Test Results

In order to find the fountain pen paper that best suits your needs, we tested each one to determine its smoothness, tendency to exhibit showthrough, and dry time in seconds. We used a TWSBI ECO Fine Fountain Pen inked with Herbin Perle Noire. Herbin Perle Noire is known for being a well-behaved and fast-drying ink. Your experience may vary depending on the pen’s nib, fountain pen ink, and paper you’re using.

Conclusion

There’s nothing quite like the feel of your fountain pen gliding over a sheet of super smooth paper. Do you have a favorite fountain pen friendly paper? Let us know in the comments below.

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Our JetPens Paper Sampler Pack includes five A5 size sheets of our most popular fountain pen friendly papers.
Our JetPens Paper Sampler Pack includes five A5 size sheets of our most popular fountain pen friendly papers.

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Looking to try fountain pen paper but not sure where to start? Pick up a JetPens Paper Sampler Pack! It includes five A5 size sheets of our most popular fountain pen friendly papers. You’ll have plenty of room to test out your favorite pens and inks and see which paper suits your preferences.
ProductPaper ColorSheet StylesAdd to Cart
Clairefontaine Collection 1951 Clothbound Notebook - A5 - Lined - VioletClairefontaine Collection 1951 NotebooksWhiteLinedAdd Items to Cart
Clairefontaine Triomphe Notepad - A4 - Blank - 50 SheetsClairefontaine Triomphe Notepads & EnvelopesWhiteBlank, LinedAdd Items to Cart
Col-o-ring Ink Testing BookCol-o-ring Ink Testing BooksWhiteBlankAdd Items to Cart
JetPens Tomoe River S Kanso Noto Notebook - A5 - Dot Grid - Charcoal GrayJetPens Tomoe River S Kanso Noto NotebooksWhiteDot GridAdd Items to Cart
Kleid Loose Leaf Paper - A5 - 2 mm Graph - Cream - 50 SheetsKleid Loose Leaf PaperIvory, WhiteGraphAdd Items to Cart
Kobeha Graphilo Notebook - Style - 8.3Kobeha Graphilo NotebooksWhiteBlank, Graph, LinedAdd Items to Cart
Kokuyo Campus Notebook - Semi B5 - Dotted 6 mm Rule - Pack of 5 ColorsKokuyo Campus Dotted Line NotebooksWhiteDotted LineAdd Items to Cart
Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal 2nd Edition - Medium (A5) - Green - DottedLeuchtturm1917 Bullet JournalsIvoryDot GridAdd Items to Cart
Leuchtturm1917 Reporter Notepad - A6 - Black - RuledLeuchtturm1917 Reporter NotepadsIvoryBlank, Dot Grid, Graph, LinedAdd Items to Cart
Life Airmail Letter Pad - Blank - 50 SheetsLife Airmail Letter Pads & EnvelopesWhiteBlankAdd Items to Cart
Mark's Log Diary - Undated Weekly - Green (Turquoise)Mark's Log DiariesWhiteDaily, Weekly HorizontalAdd Items to Cart
Maruman Mnemosyne N192A Twin Ring Memo Pad - Modified B7 - 5 mm LinedMaruman Mnemosyne NotepadsWhiteGraph, LinedAdd Items to Cart
Midori MD Notebook Journal - A5 - Dot GridMidori MD NotebooksIvoryBlank, Dot Grid, Graph, LinedAdd Items to Cart
Original Crown Mill Pure Cotton Writing Pad - A5 (5.75Original Crown Mill Pure Cotton Writing Pads & Envelopes & CardsIvoryBlankAdd Items to Cart
Raymay Decona Refill - A5 - Tant Paper - 4 mm Dot GridRaymay Decona Paper RefillsPinkCalendar, Dot Grid, LinedAdd Items to Cart
Rhodia DotPad Notepad - No. 18 (A4) - Dot Grid - BlackRhodia DotPad NotepadsWhiteDot GridAdd Items to Cart
Sakae TP Iroful Loose Leaf Paper - A5 - Dot Grid - 100 SheetsSAKAE TP Iroful Loose Leaf PaperWhiteBlank, Dot GridAdd Items to Cart
Stalogy Editor's Series 365Days Notebook - A5 - Grid - BlackStalogy Editor's Series NotebooksWhiteGraphAdd Items to Cart
Stillman & Birn Zeta Sketchbook - Wirebound - 7” x 10”Stillman & Birn SketchbooksIvory, WhiteBlankAdd Items to Cart
Tomoe River S 52 gsm Loose Leaf Paper - A5 - Blank - White - 100 SheetsTomoe River S Loose Leaf PaperIvory, WhiteBlankAdd Items to Cart
Tsubame Fools E-Style Horizontal Notebook - A4 - LinedTsubame Fools E-Style Horizontal NotebookWhiteLinedAdd Items to Cart
Yamamoto Fountain Pen Friendly Paper CollectionYamamoto Fountain Pen Friendly Paper CollectionVariousBlankAdd to Cart