Best Paper for Archiving (Notebooks and Notepads)

Here are the most common fountain pen papers ranked for archival friendliness.

This is the paper I use on a daily basis and also some of the most common papers other fountain pen users typically use.

Notebooks: I use Leuchtturm 80 or 100 g/m2 paper (check on Amazon), which is acid free and high-quality, and takes fountain pen ink pretty well, and provides a pleasant writing experience with some nice feedback.

Notepads: I use Rhodia Le R No. 18 (check on Amazon), which contain 90 g/m2 high-quality, acid-free, pH-neutral, ivory vellum paper. It takes fountain pen ink extremely well (much better than Leuchtturm). It's a nice ivory paper that provides a very good read-back in my opinion. It's a tad smaller than A4 though.

Printing: I use Clairefontaine Trophée Ivory 80 g/m2.

Why Paper Choice Matters So Much

Paper is mostly made from wood pulp, which contains lignin, which will turn pages yellow and brittle and will deteriorate over time. The goal is to have a pH-neutral paper. Acid-free paper addresses this issue by removing the lignin through chemically processing the pulp. This paper will last a lot longer and won't disintegrate, if stored properly. Most quality (fountain) pen papers are acid-free and will last a lifetime.

The reason paper choice tops ink selection, is that your ink is as good as your paper. The paper carries the ink, and if it deteriorates, even the best archival inks won't matter.