"Cheaper" High Quality Paper
Submitted by plutarcho on Thu, 2008-06-05 09:37.
So I love my Circa, but can't justify the expensive paper. What cheaper options do you guys use for high quality writing paper?
D*I*Y Planner
the best thing in printing since Gutenberg
Staples 28 or 32 lb. paper
...watch for it to be on sale and stock up like crazy! Even if you de-circify as several are starting to do (yes, some are actually starting to question Circa as the supreme answer to all things paper), beautiful paper is ALWAYS useful. I paid under $3 per ream last time I hit one of their sales.
You might also try Walmart/Target/K-Mart. I've occasionally seen heavier weight papers at one or the other of them.
As people have mentioned on other threads, you can have them cut the ream down for you if you prefer to print on sheets the size you use rather than print then cut.
Office supply store
Hi.
Get 28 or 32 lb paper from the office supply store in reams and punch it yourself. That's what I do. I like my own grid better than any of the patterns Levenger pre-prints anyway.
:)
shris
Agree !!
I have found little difference between the 28# and the 32# as far as how well the pages stay on the discs, but either are much better that the standard schlock 20# paper.
That said, I have managed to collect more than one way to bind papers: disc (Circa/Rolls), comb (GBC), ring, and I just got a quart of padding adhesive.
I can imagine something like a disc bound "center" section with a comb-bound satellite. Infinite diversity in infinite combination. You grok ?
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"I think the surest sign that there is intelligent life out there in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us." (Calvin and Hobbes/Bill Waterson)
Paper recommendations in the UK?
I've got about three different reams on the go at the moment (various manufacturers) and none of them is perfect.
It needs to be:
- thick enough to stay on circa rings (so probably 90gsm in the European system, rather than 80gsm copy paper)
- not have too much showthrough
- suitable for my inkjet printer (for printing out DIY planner pages)
- be nice to write on with a fountain pen.
This last one is causing me the most grief - lots of feathering on so-called inkjet paper. Would I be better off with laser printer paper?
Does anyone have any favourite brands?
Thanks
Kate
Free Paper Samples
Over on FPN, there is a thread about free paper samples from Mohawk papers. One of the posters reviewed his/her samples here.
The link for getting the paper samples is on their main page www.mohawkpaper.com
FPN, oh that's Fountain Pen Network, has lots of posts about the best paper for fountain pens generally as well.
The Mohawk site does allow you to select various weights of paper as well.
--kmorris
Mohawk Paper Samples
I've used the Mohawk site for free samples and they're quick and easy. Got the swatchbook to see many different kinds of paper, plus they sent five sheets of another sort of paper that I specifically requested. I think you can ask for up to five kinds of paper, and you usually get 3 sheets each.
Highly recommended.
Free Mohawk Paper Redux
I ordered a second set of samples from Mohawk after going through their swatch book and noted a couple of interesting things.
First, they're very proud of their environmental record. They use sustainable forestry methods and wind-powered manufacturing. They've been mentioned in international publications as among the best in the world in that regard. If that matters to you, it's a huge check in the plus column.
Second, I ordered a sample of their 130# cardstock. According to the order form online, you can only get two sheets (19"x12.5" !!!) but it looks like regardless of what you order, they throw in a pack of five. Very hefty stock, and although a little light for my taste in cover material, it would make excellent tab dividers. The sheets are huge too, doubling up is a definite possibility.
I also ordered Strathmore wove 24# writing paper samples, five sheets each in soft blue, soft white, ivory and soft grey. I'm looking forward to trying it.
Choosing between the two
Yes, I'd go with laser paper rather than inkjet for FP-friendliness. Not a universal rule, but so far, it seems to be generally true.
Thanks, that's really
Thanks, that's really helpful. I'd forgotten about FPN, but found some useful posts there, too. Laser paper it is.
Kate
Some inkjet papers seem to work...
Georgia Pacific Advantage inkjet paper from Costco works very well for FPs. It's 28# weight too, so it's much better than the usual stuff for copiers. Can't use it for laser printing (templates) though.
Walter
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"The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once." Albert Einstein and Buckaroo Banzai
Hammermill
I found that Hammermill General Purpose 24# paper works pretty well. I needed something that I could print templates on via the laser, but take fountain pen ink well. This one works pretty well and has a sufficiently smooth surface. The 20# recycled stuff sold for xerox copiers is not good enough.
Walter
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"The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once." Albert Einstein and Buckaroo Banzai