When it comes to writing with a fountain pen, the paper you write with can be even more important then the pen itself! Everyone likes different types of paper, but when it comes to a fountain pen you want something that will help your pen glide over the pages.
So many people write with fountain pens because they find it relaxing and satisfying. While some people prefer to write in notebooks or journals with their fountain pen, others prefer finding the best paper for fountain pens that is loose leaf, like printer paper.
This can be for any number of reasons, such as writing letters, storing your work, or putting it in a binder so you can view your progress. If you mess up, it is also a lot easier to throw out a piece of paper instead of ripping a page out of a journal.
Let’s take a closer look at the best writing paper for fountain pens.
In This Guide...
Best Paper for Fountain Pens
Here are the things you should consider when selecting the best paper for fountain pens.
- Weight or thickness. This number, referenced in gsm, is the weight and thickness of your paper. The lower the gsm, the thinner the paper.
- Smoothness. What does this paper feel like to write on?
- Number of sheets in a package. This varies greatly between each selection.
- Size. When we look at paper for fountain pens, we are looking at copy and printer paper for fountain pens in some cases. If you are used to US paper sizes, this would be 8.5″ x 11″. However, many of these papers are in the A4 international form factor, which translates into 8.25″ x 11.75″.
- Color. Some of these papers are available in multiple colors.
- Lines. While everything in this list is shown in its blank form, many have other options available such as dot, square, and lined.
Now, let’s take a look at the best loose paper for fountain pens.
Tomoe River FP Loose Sheet
Tomoe River paper is the gold standard for fountain pens. It is super thin at 52 gsm, and an absolute pleasure and joy to write on.
This Tomoe River paper is shown in 8.5″ x 11″ white, plain sheets, but comes in a number of variations.
This truly contends for the best paper for fountain pen writing.
It comes in white and cream, as well as grid, dot, blank, and lined, all of which you can see if you click for more information.
Get more information on Tomoe River FP Loose Sheet
Tomoe River FP Loose SheetStrathmore 300068 25% Cotton Business Stationery
If you are looking for the best printer paper for fountain pens, this Strathmore option is a strong contender.
It is more on the premium side than traditional printer and copy paper for fountain pens, since it contains 25% cotton fibers.
It is sold in 500 package sheets, or reams. It is 8.5″ x 11″ and 90 gsm.
If you are looking for something a bit better than normal copy paper for fountain pens, then this is an excellent option.
Get more information on Strathmore 300068 25% Cotton Business Stationery
HP Premium24 LaserJet Paper
If you are looking for an economical option when it comes to printer paper for fountain pen writing, then this HP Premium24 ream is a great option.
It is the most cost effective on this list, and comes by the ream. It is a bit more premium than standard copy paper, and is 8.5″ x 11″ and 90 gsm.
Rhodia Head Stapled Pad No18
Rhodia is another classic when it comes to writing paper. At 80 gsm, it is a bit thicker than Tomoe River paper, but thinner than some of the print or copy options.
The secret of Rhodia paper is how smoothly it writes. It is infused with vellum to give it its very unique smoothness.
This A4 pad has 80 sheets which can be easily removed so it can be used as unbound paper for fountain pens.
The benefit of Rhodia paper is that it comes in so many different sizes, with so many different options for the pages such as dot, grid, lined, or blank.
This particular pad is blank, which is a favorite among many fountain pen users and calligraphers.
A close second favorite is the Rhodia Dot Pad.
Get more information on Rhodia Head Stapled Pad No18
Clairefontaine Triomphe Stationery Tablet
Next on the list is Clairefontaine paper, which is another favorite among writers. Clairefontane makes the paper for Rhoda pads and notebooks as well. It is however slightly thicker than the paper for Rhodia, but shares the same smoothness.
The pages of this Clariefontane Triomphe tablet can easily be removed for loose leaf functionality.
While Clairefontaine does make copy paper and printer paper, it is much thicker at 120 gsm than many of the papers on this list.
However, if you are looking for something a bit thicker, that can be a great option.
This pad is the A4 size, and comes with 50 sheets.
Get more information on Clairefontaine Triomphe Stationery Tablet
Choosing the Best Fountain Pen Friendly Loose Leaf Paper
We’ve put together a great list of options at every price point, taking every consideration for fountain pen writing into mind. Let’s take a look at these options one more time:
Hands down, our favorite paper for fountain pens is the Tomoe River FP Loose Sheet paper. It comes in the widest variety of options, as well as sizes. It is hard to find an excellent paper for fountain pens with US sizes in mind.
If you are looking for the economics of copy of printer paper for fountain pen writing, then the Strathmore 300068 25% Cotton Business Stationery and the is the most economical option.
The next two items on our list are pads that can easily have pages torn out for loose leaf purposes. These two premium options are a joy to write on and write smoother than most other papers out there.
The benefit of the Rhodia Head Stapled Pad No18 is that if you really like it, there are many other size and line options available. The Clairefontaine Triomphe Stationery Tablet is a true classic with blank or lined options.
If you are nervous about the thinness of the Tomoe River paper, then the Rhoida or Clairefontaine papers are your next best options.
No matter what you are looking for when it comes to finding the best paper for fountain pen writing, something in this list is sure to meet your requirements.