3 ms·

When I was a student I think I read online that (for water based inks) laser printer paper works well and better than a lot of notebook paper. I think something

When I was a student I think I read online that (for water based inks) laser printer paper works well and better than a lot of notebook paper. I think something about feathering or drying time but I don’t really remember. I’m not sure how true it was and I preferred having loose leaf paper with no lines so I was pretty happy feeling like I was getting well suited paper on the cheap.

dragontamer 4y ago
A notebook isn't just about the paper, but also the binding. If you're making your own notebook out of printer paper, I suggest you spend $10 on a 2-point hole punch and then buy the 2-point binders, which is far superior over staples. This should get you a good binding for personal use (sized for ~10 pages to 100 pages or so) with only 10-cents or so for the binding. Still, this gets you a "notebook" of size 8.5 x 11, which is too large for most purposes. (3-hole punch binders are a bit too big / heavy in most purposes in my experience, the 2-hole punch methods / folders / binders are superior for most purposes) Folding in half is usable, but now you gotta cut the edge if you want the paper to line up right. I guess good for ~10 sheets (20 pages after folding), but any more and things are pretty bad in my experience. ----------- B5 notebooks are just the right size: fitting inside of purses, my desk on the go. They're also auto-numbered (If you're buying higher-priced ones like LEUCHTTURM1917), come with built-in bookmarks, and come in a variety of styles (lines, dots, or plain). The main advantage to "making your own" is the ability to print out whatever design you want (ex: music sheets, or in my case... breadboarding plans for electronics). So I still make my own notes with 2-point binder + 8.5x11 paper these days. But for typical note-taking / day-to-day use, nothing beats a properly sized B5 notebook or pocket "Field Notes". -------- Auto-numbering is a surprisingly important thing in my experience, to the point that I have bought an automatic counting machine (aka: a stamp that auto-increments). This is useful not only for page numbers, but also for lists within a page. It turns a $2 Walmart notebook into something usable for work and is cheaper than buying a fancy pre-numbered notebook. Still though, those higher-quality notebooks from Jetpens are just really, really nice. And the fact that they have tested their paper and pages with a variety of inks, pens, and pencils with photographic proof is proof of Jetpen's quality of information.
- tuatoru 4y ago
  An incrementing number stamp sounds handy: faster than writing the numbers manually, which is what I do now. For me, rounded outer corners are also essential. Hard to do with copier paper.
- marymkearney 4y ago
  A vintage Bates stamp auto-numbering machine is a perfect complement to paper journals. It makes a satisfying whirr-thunk sound; the polished handle and the reset cogs are a tactile delight; and even the ink has a distinctive aroma. https://www.ebay.com/b/Bates-Numbering-Machines/57050/bn_81248319 https://www.ebay.com/b/Bates-Numbering-Machines/57050/bn_812...
syntheweave 4y ago
Printer paper does work great. It's designed to be disposable, though, so the lightest weight will buckle under heavy ink, and it also yellows and fades more easily than "archival" papers designed for art. The simplest kind of sketchbook I would make is a manila file cover for printer paper, bound by a binder clip. The manila is stiff enough to add some protection, and the clip makes it rigid.
BeetleB 4y ago
Laser printer paper varies widely in quality. Most of the ones I've used have a lot of feathering. I have had good experiences with the Target brand papers.

dragontamer 4y ago

A notebook isn't just about the paper, but also the binding. If you're making your own notebook out of printer paper, I suggest you spend $10 on a 2-point hole punch and then buy the 2-point binders, which is far superior over staples. This should get you a good binding for personal use (sized for ~10 pages to 100 pages or so) with only 10-cents or so for the binding. Still, this gets you a "notebook" of size 8.5 x 11, which is too large for most purposes. (3-hole punch binders are a bit too big / heavy in most purposes in my experience, the 2-hole punch methods / folders / binders are superior for most purposes) Folding in half is usable, but now you gotta cut the edge if you want the paper to line up right. I guess good for ~10 sheets (20 pages after folding), but any more and things are pretty bad in my experience. ----------- B5 notebooks are just the right size: fitting inside of purses, my desk on the go. They're also auto-numbered (If you're buying higher-priced ones like LEUCHTTURM1917), come with built-in bookmarks, and come in a variety of styles (lines, dots, or plain). The main advantage to "making your own" is the ability to print out whatever design you want (ex: music sheets, or in my case... breadboarding plans for electronics). So I still make my own notes with 2-point binder + 8.5x11 paper these days. But for typical note-taking / day-to-day use, nothing beats a properly sized B5 notebook or pocket "Field Notes". -------- Auto-numbering is a surprisingly important thing in my experience, to the point that I have bought an automatic counting machine (aka: a stamp that auto-increments). This is useful not only for page numbers, but also for lists within a page. It turns a $2 Walmart notebook into something usable for work and is cheaper than buying a fancy pre-numbered notebook. Still though, those higher-quality notebooks from Jetpens are just really, really nice. And the fact that they have tested their paper and pages with a variety of inks, pens, and pencils with photographic proof is proof of Jetpen's quality of information.

tuatoru 4y ago
An incrementing number stamp sounds handy: faster than writing the numbers manually, which is what I do now. For me, rounded outer corners are also essential. Hard to do with copier paper.
marymkearney 4y ago
A vintage Bates stamp auto-numbering machine is a perfect complement to paper journals. It makes a satisfying whirr-thunk sound; the polished handle and the reset cogs are a tactile delight; and even the ink has a distinctive aroma. https://www.ebay.com/b/Bates-Numbering-Machines/57050/bn_81248319 https://www.ebay.com/b/Bates-Numbering-Machines/57050/bn_812...

syntheweave 4y ago

Printer paper does work great. It's designed to be disposable, though, so the lightest weight will buckle under heavy ink, and it also yellows and fades more easily than "archival" papers designed for art. The simplest kind of sketchbook I would make is a manila file cover for printer paper, bound by a binder clip. The manila is stiff enough to add some protection, and the clip makes it rigid.

BeetleB 4y ago

Laser printer paper varies widely in quality. Most of the ones I've used have a lot of feathering. I have had good experiences with the Target brand papers.