Fountain Pen Ink & Your Notebook: Paper Weight, Bleed, and Binding Explained
Dele
Can You Use a Fountain Pen in Your Sweet & Savage Notebook?
The short answer: yes — with a little know-how. Fountain pens deposit ink differently from ballpoints or rollerballs. They rely on capillary action, which means the paper's weight, surface texture, and absorbency all play a role in how your writing looks and feels. Here's exactly what to expect from our two notebook formats.
Our Notebooks at a Glance
We offer two notebook styles, both produced through our print-on-demand partner Printful at the size 5.5″ × 8.5″ (A5):
- Spiral Notebooks — wire-bound, 118 lined pages (59 sheets), 100 gsm interior paper
- Hardcover Notebooks — case-bound JournalBook format, 150 lined pages (75 sheets), 90 gsm interior paper
Both use a lined ruling and are printed on a bright white interior stock. These specifications come directly from our supplier and are the foundation for everything below.
Understanding Paper Weight
Paper weight is measured in grams per square metre (gsm). The higher the number, the thicker and more substantial the sheet — and generally, the better it resists fountain pen ink.
- 90 gsm (Hardcover Notebook) — A solid everyday weight. Most fountain pens with a fine or medium nib and a moderately wet ink will write cleanly with minimal feathering. Very wet inks or broad nibs may show through to the reverse side, though bleed-through (ink saturating completely through the page) is uncommon with standard fountain pen inks.
- 100 gsm (Spiral Notebook) — A noticeably heavier sheet that provides a little extra ink resistance. You'll find less show-through with wetter inks, and the pen glides with a satisfying amount of feedback.
Practical tip: If you use a wet nib or a highly saturated ink (think shimmer or sheen inks), leave the reverse side of each page blank, or allow a few extra seconds of drying time before turning the page.
Feathering, Bleed-Through, and Show-Through
These three terms describe different ways ink can misbehave on paper:
- Feathering — ink spreads along paper fibres, blurring the edges of your strokes. This is most common with highly porous, uncoated paper. Both our 90 gsm and 100 gsm stocks are smooth-surfaced and resist feathering well with standard fountain pen inks.
- Bleed-through — ink saturates entirely through the page. This is rare on 90–100 gsm paper unless you use extremely wet pens or apply excessive pressure. Our pages are not designed as dedicated fountain pen paper (such as 52 gsm Tomoe River), so very wet broad-nib combos may occasionally bleed if the page is kept damp.
- Show-through (ghosting) — you can see the impression of writing on the other side when held up to light. At 90–100 gsm, some ghosting is normal and considered acceptable by most fountain pen users. It's less visible in ordinary writing conditions.
Best ink choices for our paper: Medium-wet inks with fine or medium nibs give the best results. Pigment-based inks and iron gall inks tend to sit on top of the paper surface rather than soaking in, reducing ghosting further.
Binding: Why It Matters for Writing
The way a notebook opens is just as important as the paper inside it.
Spiral Notebooks — Wire-Bound, Lay-Flat
Our Spiral Notebooks use a metal wire coil that runs along the left edge. This means the notebook opens completely flat at every page — no fighting the spine, no pages curling into your hand. The 360° lay-flat design is ideal for fountain pen users because:
- Your hand rests evenly on both pages, reducing smearing risk.
- Writing all the way to the inner margin is comfortable and unobstructed.
- The coil keeps the binding consistent throughout the notebook's life.
Hardcover Notebooks — Case-Bound Flex Spine
Our Hardcover Notebooks use a case-bound JournalBook construction with a flexible spine. They open to approximately 180° flat, which is excellent for a glued binding. At the beginning and end of the notebook the spine may feel slightly stiffer; this is normal and eases with use. The hardcover protects the pages from warping if ink dampens the surface near the edge.
Quick-Reference Table
| Feature | Spiral Notebook | Hardcover Notebook |
|---|---|---|
| Paper weight | 100 gsm | 90 gsm |
| Pages (ruled) | 118 lined pages | 150 lined pages |
| Size | 5.5″ × 8.5″ | 5.5″ × 8.5″ |
| Binding type | Wire-coil, 360° lay-flat | Case-bound, ~180° flat |
| Feathering resistance | Good | Good |
| Bleed-through risk (standard FP ink) | Low | Low–moderate (very wet inks) |
| Best for | Active writers, open lay-flat use | Journaling, desk use, protection |
Care Tips for Fountain Pen Writers
- Allow ink to dry for 10–30 seconds before turning the page, especially with sheen or shimmer inks.
- Store the notebook away from humidity; moisture can cause the paper to cockle or ink to re-wet.
- For the spiral notebook, close the wire coil gently — avoid bending it back past 360° or it may deform.
- The hardcover's case protects against everyday bumps, but avoid storing heavy objects on top of it, as pressure can emboss the cover design into the first page.
Ready to Write?
Explore both collections and find the notebook that suits your writing style:
All paper specifications listed in this guide are sourced directly from our print-on-demand supplier, Printful, and reflect the verified product details for our notebook range.