Good paper makes an ordinary pen feel better. Here is what the numbers and names mean.
Weight is given in gsm, grams per square metre. 60 to 70 gsm is standard notebook paper, fine for pencil, ballpoint and most gel pens. 80 to 100 gsm is thicker, with less show-through, and suits planners. 120 gsm and above takes fountain pens, brush pens and markers. Sketching paper starts at about 140 gsm and watercolour paper at 300 gsm.
Sizes follow the international A series. A4 is 21 x 29.7 cm, the size of printer paper. A5 is half of that and the most popular journal size. A6 is pocket size. B5, at 17.6 x 25 cm, sits between A4 and A5 and is the favourite of students in Japan.
Ruling: ruled pages are best for writing; grid pages for maths, tables and diagrams; dot grid pages give guidance without visual clutter and are the standard for bullet journals; plain pages are for sketching.
Binding: thread-sewn notebooks lie flat and last longest. Spiral and wire bindings fold back on themselves, which helps on small desks. Glued notebooks are light and affordable.
Paper colour: white gives the truest ink colour, while ivory is easier on the eyes over long sessions.
A quick test for any notebook: write a line with your wettest pen on the last page, wait ten seconds and turn over. If you cannot see it, the paper will handle anything you own.