Two years ago, I bought my first Clairefontaine round glass pen. Beautiful thing. Cost me $28 (circa 2023). I loaded it with a nice ink, grabbed a stack of copy paper from the office supply closet, and wrote a quick note. The result? Feathering, bleed‑through, and a puddle on the desk. That’s when I learned the hard way that not all paper is created equal.

This article compares Clairefontaine’s premium paper (the same paper used in their A6 notebooks) against standard 20‑lb copy paper. I’ll walk through three key dimensions: ink performance, cost per sheet, and environmental claims. Along the way, I’ll share the specific mistakes I made—including one that cost me $45 and a week of embarrassment. (Note to self: always test paper before committing to a batch.)

Dimension 1: Ink Performance – The Showdown

Let’s start with what matters most if you use fountain pens, glass pens, or dip pens. Clairefontaine paper (specifically their Triomphe line) is coated for smoothness and low absorbency. The ink stays on the surface, giving crisp lines, no feathering, and minimal ghosting. Standard copy paper is uncoated, highly absorbent, and designed for toner or ballpoint ink—not liquid ink.

My personal test (August 2024)

I wrote the same sentence with the same glass pen on both papers:

  • Clairefontaine A6 notebook page: Line width was consistent, edges crisp, no bleed. I could even write on the back side.
  • Copy paper: Feathering started within seconds, the line spread about 30% wider, and the back side was unusable. (I really should have known better.)

Take this with a grain of salt: the exact performance depends on ink viscosity and nib width. But the pattern is clear—Clairefontaine paper dominates for liquid ink. If you’re using a round glass pen (like the Clairefontaine one), you definitely want coated paper.

Dimension 2: Cost Per Sheet – The Surprise

Here’s where the comparison gets interesting. Standard copy paper costs about $0.02 per sheet (based on a 500‑sheet ream for $10, as of January 2025). Clairefontaine A6 notebooks (80 sheets) cost around $5.99 online, which is roughly $0.075 per sheet. That’s a 3.75x difference.

But the real cost isn’t just the paper. I once ordered 300 sheets of cheap paper for a project, printed guidelines, then tested my glass pen. Every sheet bled. Total waste: $6 in paper + $12 in ink + 3 hours of my time. That mistake (Q1 2024) taught me that cheap paper can be more expensive in the long run if you need to redo work.

Honestly, I’m not sure why more people don’t do the math. My best guess is they assume “paper is paper.” If you write fewer than 10 pages a month with a glass pen, the cost difference is negligible. For everyday journaling or correspondence, I’d rather pay $0.075 per sheet and avoid the headache.

Dimension 3: Environmental Claims – Mixed Feelings

Both types of paper can be made from recycled materials. Clairefontaine markets their paper as “sustainable” using pulp from certified forests. Standard copy paper often carries the same claim. Per FTC Green Guides (ftc.gov), a “recycled” claim must be accompanied by the percentage of recycled content. Most copy paper I’ve seen says “30% post‑consumer.” Clairefontaine doesn’t always disclose the exact percentage on their notebooks, which bugs me.

I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand, Clairefontaine’s paper lasts longer—less waste from bleed‑through. On the other hand, the coating process uses more energy and chemicals. If your top priority is minimal environmental impact, you might prefer uncoated paper that’s fully recyclable. But if you’re writing with liquid ink, uncoated paper becomes a single‑use waste product anyway. (Mental note: check Clairefontaine’s specific environmental report; I haven’t yet.)

Real‑World Recommendations

There’s no “best” paper for everyone. Here’s my honest take based on what I’ve screwed up:

  • Choose Clairefontaine (or similar coated paper) if: you use fountain pens, glass pens, dip pens, or any liquid ink. Also if you want a premium feel for correspondence or journaling. The Clairefontaine A6 notebook is a perfect size for pocket carry (fits USPS letter envelope dimensions: 3.5″ × 5″ to 6.125″ × 11.5″ per usps.com).
  • Stick with standard copy paper if: you only write with ballpoint pens or pencils, or you need bulk for draft printing. Just don’t expect it to work with a glass pen—speaking from experience.

And if you’re absolutely set on using a glass pen with cheap paper, at least test a single sheet before committing. I still kick myself for not doing that with my first batch. The $6 waste was trivial, but the embarrassment of showing a bleeding note to a client wasn’t.

Prices as of January 2025; verify current rates. I’ve never fully understood why some vendors charge $8 for a notebook and others $2—my guess is coating quality and brand lineage.