I enjoy writing and sketching, using a range of writing implements from basic ballpoint pens to fountain pens, mechanical pencils, and technical pens. While inexpensive paper serves most of my needs, I appreciate the benefits of premium paper when using fountain pens or markers, such as reduced bleed-through and feathering, or a smoother writing experience. Even without specific ink requirements, a good notepad or notebook can enhance the overall writing or sketching experience. Personally, I find dot grid paper to be particularly useful, offering the advantages of graph paper without the distracting grid lines.
Regular Printer Paper
While premium paper options have their advantages, it’s true that standard printer paper offers excellent economy and simplicity. It’s hard to beat the affordability of printer paper, typically priced around $5 to $7 for 500 sheets. If you’re on a tighter budget or have simpler needs, printer paper can be a practical choice.
To keep your papers organized, using a clipboard or a plastic folder can be helpful. These inexpensive tools can help you keep everything together and easily accessible.
When it comes to printer paper, there are several reliable options available. Hammermill multi-purpose inkjet printer paper is a popular choice, known for its versatility. Target’s house brand of similar multi-use inkjet paper is also convenient and suitable for most everyday printing needs. Generally, the brand of printer paper doesn’t significantly impact the results, but if consistency is important to you, sticking to the same brand for a stretch can be beneficial.
It’s worth noting that while printer paper may not offer the same premium experience as specialized paper, it can still serve you well for many writing and sketching tasks, especially if you prioritize affordability and simplicity.
Price: $5-7 for 500 sheets
Rhodia A4-Size Dot-Grid Notepad
I understand your preference for using standard copy paper for certain tasks and the shift towards using Rhodia notepads for specific purposes. Rhodia notepads, although more expensive, offer distinct advantages that make them worth considering.
One significant benefit of Rhodia notepads is the smoothness of the paper, providing a more enjoyable writing experience. The smooth surface allows your pen or pencil to glide effortlessly across the page, making the act of writing or sketching more fluid.
Another advantage is the dot grid pattern. The dot grid provides a subtle structure similar to graph paper but without the distracting grid lines. It offers guidance and helps maintain neatness and alignment while allowing for more flexibility in organizing your content. This feature can be particularly useful for sketches, diagrams, or precise measurements.
Additionally, the micro-perforated pages of Rhodia notepads make it convenient to tear out and remove individual sheets when needed. This feature is helpful if you want to share or archive specific notes or sketches separately.
Rhodia uses Clairefontaine 80g SuperFine Vellum paper, which is known for its smoothness and ability to handle different writing instruments and graphite. The slight tooth on the paper provides a pleasant tactile feedback and can enhance the writing or sketching experience.
In terms of size, A4 is roughly equivalent to letter-sized paper, while A5 is half the size. Choosing the size that suits your needs can contribute to better organization and ease of use.
While Rhodia notepads come at a higher cost compared to standard copy paper or legal pads, the improved writing experience, the dot grid pattern, and the high-quality paper make them a preferred choice for those seeking a more enjoyable and structured approach to their writing or sketching endeavors.
Price: $9 for 80 sheets
If you want to keep things together, the wire-bound notepads are another good option.
See Also: Rhodia A5 Wirebound at Amazon
Roaring Spring 5×5 Grid Engineering Pad
Engineer calculation pads sound like a great tool for those who work with sketches, calculations, and measurements. The dual-sided feature, with one side being blank/unruled and the other side having grid markings, offers flexibility in how you use each sheet.
When writing on the plain side, the grid markings on the other side can serve as a helpful guide, ensuring that your sketches or measurements maintain neat alignment. This feature can be particularly beneficial for engineering or technical drawings that require precision and accuracy.
Moreover, the fact that the grid lines on the back of the sheet are less prominent when the sheet is removed from the pad contributes to improved readability. This allows you to focus more on your sketches or calculations without distractions.
If engineer calculation pads are not readily available, you can achieve a similar effect by using a writing board with grid markings behind a plain sheet of paper. This DIY approach can help maintain alignment and aid in creating neat and organized sketches or calculations.
While engineer calculation pads may be a bit more expensive compared to memo pads or scratch pads, their unique features and utility make them a worthwhile investment, especially for those who frequently engage in engineering or technical work. The fact that they are punched to fit a standard 3-ring binder adds to their convenience and ease of organization.
Price: $9 for 100 sheets
Maruman MNEMOSYNE Notebooks
Maruman MNEMOSYNE notebooks offer a premium writing experience with their ultra-smooth paper and 5mm-grid layout. The micro-perforated feature allows for easy removal of pages when needed, adding convenience and flexibility to your note-taking or sketching process.
The choice of horizontal A4 (N180A) and smaller A5 (N182A) sizes provides options to suit different preferences and needs. A4 is similar to letter-sized paper, while A5 is half the size, making it more compact and portable.
One of the key advantages of using premium notebooks like Maruman MNEMOSYNE is the reduced ghosting and bleed-through compared to less expensive paper. The high-quality paper minimizes the visibility of ink or graphite on the other side of the page, ensuring a cleaner and more professional-looking result.
However, it’s understandable that the premium price of these notepads may lead to a concern about “wasting” the paper. To address this, you can consider using them more selectively for your most important or high-priority projects. Reserve them for tasks that truly require the benefits of the premium paper, such as detailed sketches, important notes, or projects with long-term value.
Alternatively, you can explore other more cost-effective options for day-to-day note-taking or less critical tasks while reserving the Maruman MNEMOSYNE notebooks for special occasions or projects that truly warrant their use.
Ultimately, it’s important to strike a balance between enjoying the enhanced writing experience provided by premium paper and being mindful of your usage to optimize cost-effectiveness.
Price: ~$18 for 70 sheets A4, ~$11 for 70 sheets A5
Midori MD Notebook
Midori MD notebooks offer a range of styles, and their 5mm grid pattern is a popular choice among users. One notable feature of Midori MD paper is its resistance to feathering and bleeding, which makes it particularly well-suited for use with fountain pens. This quality ensures that your writing remains clean and sharp, enhancing the overall writing experience.
The ability of Midori notebooks to fold completely flat when open is a practical feature that adds to their user-friendliness. This design aspect allows for easy writing and referencing, making them almost as convenient as using a notepad. However, it’s worth noting that add-on covers, whether Midori brand or third-party, may slightly affect this flat-folding capability. So, it’s important to choose covers that don’t impede the notebook’s functionality.
Midori notebooks have a minimalist and spartan design, focusing on functionality rather than excessive embellishments. This simplicity allows for a clean and distraction-free writing or sketching experience, where the focus remains on your content.
If durability is a concern, Midori offers add-on covers that can increase the overall robustness of the notebook. These covers, whether from the Midori brand or third-party options, can help protect your notebook and extend its lifespan.
Overall, Midori MD notebooks provide a balance between functional design and durability. Their fountain-pen friendly paper, fold-flat feature, and customizable cover options make them a practical choice for those seeking a straightforward and reliable writing companion.
Price: ~$12 for 88 sheets A5
LEUCHTTURM 1917 Notebook
Leuchtturm 1917 notebooks indeed offer a wide range of options to cater to different preferences and needs. Their variety of styles, including dot grid, ruled, Bullet Journal, and calendar planner, allows users to choose the format that suits their specific requirements. The availability of hard or soft covers provides additional flexibility in terms of durability and portability.
One notable feature of Leuchtturm 1917 notebooks is their extensive color range. This allows users to personalize their notebooks and select a color that resonates with their style and preferences.
The generous number of pages in these notebooks makes them well-suited for use as project notebooks or workshop journals. Having ample space to document and organize ideas, sketches, notes, and plans can enhance productivity and provide a cohesive record of your work.
However, personal preferences may vary, and it’s understandable that you find larger notepads or pages that can be removed and moved around more suitable for your workflow. Customizing your working environment to align with your preferences and needs can contribute to a more efficient and enjoyable creative process.
Ultimately, choosing the right notebook or notepad is a matter of individual preference, considering factors such as size, style, durability, and functionality. Exploring different options and experimenting with various formats can help you find the perfect fit for your specific workflow and preferences.
Price: ~$22 for 251 sheets A5
If you’re tight on budget, Amazon has their self-branded graph-ruled notebooks at 1/3 the price.