You've found a pen you love. You've chosen an ink that makes you happy. And then you write on the wrong paper and watch the ink bleed straight through to the other side. It's a frustrating experience — and an entirely avoidable one.
Here's what you need to know about notebook paper, and how to choose the right one for your writing instrument.
The Most Important Number: GSM
GSM stands for grams per square metre — it's the standard measure of paper weight and thickness. The higher the GSM, the thicker and more absorbent the paper.
- Under 70gsm — common in cheap notebooks and office paper. Fountain pen ink will almost certainly bleed through and feather.
- 70–80gsm — acceptable for ballpoints and rollerballs, but borderline for fountain pens.
- 80–90gsm — the sweet spot for fountain pen use. Most quality stationery notebooks fall here.
- 90gsm+ — excellent. Rhodia uses 90gsm Clairefontaine paper; Maruman Mnemosyne uses 80gsm with a very smooth coating that performs above its weight.
Rule of thumb: If you use a fountain pen, look for 80gsm minimum. If you use wet, shading inks, go for 90gsm.
Texture: Smooth vs Toothy
- Smooth paper — the nib glides effortlessly. Ink dries slightly slower but shows shading and sheen beautifully. Best for fountain pens.
- Toothy paper — has more texture and grip. Better for pencils and some ballpoints; can catch on fountain pen nibs.
- Coated paper — very smooth, almost glossy. Ink sits on the surface and takes longer to dry. Can smear if you write quickly.
Bleed-Through, Feathering, and Show-Through
- Bleed-through — ink soaks all the way through the page. Caused by thin paper or very wet ink.
- Feathering — ink spreads along paper fibres, making lines look fuzzy. Caused by low-quality or highly absorbent paper.
- Show-through — you can see the writing from the other side when held to light, but it doesn't bleed through. Acceptable in most notebooks.
Quality paper like Rhodia and Maruman virtually eliminates bleed-through and feathering, even with wet fountain pen inks.
Ruling: Lined, Dot Grid, Plain, or Squared?
- Lined — classic. Good for prose writing, journaling, note-taking.
- Dot grid — the bullet journaler's choice. Guides your writing without dominating the page.
- Plain / blank — maximum freedom. Preferred by artists, sketchers, and free-form journalers.
- Squared / grid — structured and precise. Good for technical notes and diagrams.
Our Top Picks for Fountain Pen Users
We carry fountain-pen-friendly notebooks from Rhodia (90gsm Clairefontaine paper — our top recommendation, virtually no bleed-through even with wet inks), Maruman Mnemosyne (80gsm with a smooth coating that punches above its weight, perfect for bullet journaling), and Midori (for those who love the Traveler's Notebook system).
Quick Reference
| Notebook | GSM | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Rhodia Heritage Sewn Spine A5 | 90gsm | Fountain pens, journaling, gifting |
| Rhodia Classic A5+ | 90gsm | Everyday writing, best value |
| Maruman Mnemosyne A5 Dot Grid | 80gsm | Bullet journaling, structured notes |
| Rhodia Botanique Sewn Spine | 90gsm | Gifting, special occasions |
Come and Feel the Difference
Paper is one of those things you really need to experience in person. Visit us at Bangsar Village II and we'll let you write on a few different notebooks to find your favourite. Also worth reading: our Rhodia Notebook Guide for a deeper look at the full Rhodia range.