Favorite Practice Paper

[The.SardaarJi]

Hello @Eleen

Good Morning,

Nope, paper is just working fine for me, I have used Pilot Parallel pens and dip pens on it,, and no complains so far.

Regards
Aman

Hi,

Just to add.

If you are in India and looking for a *cheap / economic* practice paper, then PaperOne A4 Printing Paper 500 Sheets(100 Gsm) is the best.

I do most of my Calligraphy work on it.

You can order it online from Amazon India . http://www.amazon.in/PaperOne-A4-Printing-Paper-Sheets/dp/B01LZFABF9/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1485324991&sr=8-4&keywords=paper+one+100+gsm

Regards
Aman

Hi Aman,

I've tried on Paperone 100GSM however my nib will collect paper fiber does it happen to you?

Best Regards,
Eleen

[Tales from the Nib]

I know that lots use the HP premier choice paper, but the general principle seems that the UK version is different to the American one.
What practice paper are the UK members now buying,
Many thanks my friends 

[Simone Lettering]

My favourite practice paper for when I want to print guide sheets on them is the Clairfontaine ClairMail Smart Print Paper 60gr. It is great to use with my inkjet printer and is smooth enough for pointed pen calligraphy.
I also really like the Canson XL Marker paper, as it is transparent enough to put a guide sheet beneath it and it is also super smooth. I tried to print guide sheets on them, but the ink from my printer staid wet.
And I also use the Rhodia DotPads.

[AmandaW]

For Australians looking for practice paper (oh look 'Made in Germany' so maybe in Europe too :-) )

I couldn't find the HP paper here in Perth but can get this UPM Digi laser paper that works well. It's 120gsm. I looked online and see there's a 100gsm available as well but I haven't tried that one yet.

[RobertFontaine]

I have just started with 3 notebooks worth of Seyes ruled Claire Fontaine.   Definitely a good decision.

My improvement had stalled a bit.   The paper I was using was feathering a bit and it was hard to judge the quality of my thin lines.  I am also starting to see some significant improvements in letter shape, spacing and consistency again.   It's going to be a while still before my shading improves.  I tend to be too heavy and shift my weight too fast but I am seeing daily improvement again.   The better quality paper and seyes ruling are helping to give me a better sense of what I am trying to achieve.

[InkyFingers]

Strathmore Writing Pad and Calligraphy paper are excellent papers for me.  However, it is a bit pricey via Amazon.  Any other alternative? 

I have tried HP Premium Copy Paper ... not impressive.  Good for practice but does not give you the feeling of being loved.
Clarifontaine and Rhodia are good alternative ...pricey as is.

Thank you in advance for your kind suggestions.

[mintran]

I'm using Fabriano Ecoqua ($3 for a pad of 40 sheets) and Tomoe River ($10 for 100 sheets). I love Fabriano Ecoqua, it's very smooth, works well with Leonardt Principal and Sumi ink.

[Steph C]

I bought HP Premium Choice Laserjet paper from Amazon just now. They sell it at $9.15 per ream with $2 coupon, so just $7.15! 

https://www.amazon.com/HP-Premium-Choice-Laserjet-Letter/dp/B000099O2W

[Peter Oliver]

My favourite practice paper is Canon Top Colour which I find is superior to the HP paper. Also, it comes in 100, 120 160 gsm weight. Here in New Zealand it is about NZ$16  a 500 sheet ream (which I guess is about US$20).  I am not sure of it's availability in other countries.
It has a reasonably smooth surface, but still takes most inks well without feathering or bleeding.

[Peter Oliver]

Sorry about mistake in last post----$16 NZ is about $10 US (not $20).

[InkyFingers]

if you need real cheap paper and the best paper to practice... here it is.

i also heard if made from brazil, they have the same quality.

[Penda]

A bit pointless me recommending this as such, but I just have to share with folk who will appreciate...

At the weekend I had to pick up what is left of my dad's old stuff from his house as it is being sold (He died ten years ago and my stepmother is going into a care home, so I got the call and had to go to pick up everything that kind relatives packed up ready for me).  When I got it home, amongst the bits and pieces... a 1980s' electric typewriter, with spare ribbons, etc and a whole massive bag of 1970s/80s typing paper, including some Woolworth's 'Typing Paper' ad 'Victor Typing Bond'.  Am finding it extremely ink pen friendly for both FPs and dip pens!  Maybe because in the 70s there still were lots of people using ink..? 

As it's thin, it's perfect practice paper.  No feathering at all and very easy to see guidelines through.  I am determined to use it all!

I am guessing that as typing paper was often lightweight, it may be a bit different to many modern copier papers?  Totally wasn't expecting to find this amongst dad's stuff. But I will use it, as it will save my Rhodia and Clairefontaine and it is perfect for practice that only I will ever see.

[Erica McPhee]

Hi Penda,
I'm sorry to hear about your Dad. It sounds like he had a collection of some interesting things.

Is it Onion Paper? I remember typewriting paper from high school typing class. I LOVED it. It was almost like Vellum and had a nice feel to it. I don't even know if they still make paper like that - and so different from copier or printer paper.

Have fun with it! 

[Erica McPhee]

Now up to $13.87 on this site K mentioned above and $19+ at Staples. I think HP is on to us!

Erica,

I don't know if you're aware of this by now, but the HP Premium Choice can be purchased for around $10/ream.   
K

[gooseberrysprig]

Maybe this?

https://www.thepapermillstore.com/paper-mills/the-paper-mill-store/fidelity-onion-skin/