Varieties of Paper
I specialise in supplying paper, journals, and sketchbooks for artists. I use a wide range of paper types. On eBay I generally only offer books with the following three varieties of paper:
1) Plain handmade paper
My standard plain handmade paper is made from recycled rags. I do not use paper in which the rag pulp is diluted with recycled paper; and I use no bleaches or artificial chemicals. My handmade paper has plenty of ‘tooth’ – a furriness of surface, that gives you enhanced control when sketching with dry media such as charcoal, crayons, pastels, pencil etc. It is also suitable for synthetic inks (ballpoint, fibre, gel pens) and even oils. As with all handmade paper, however, there will be a degree of ‘bleeding’ if you use water-based inks or water colour, so I do not recommend it for use with a fountain pen.
2) Cartridge paper
'Cartridge' paper is a high quality, dense drawing paper. I supply a plain ivory cartridge paper of the highest quality. This paper is suitable for writing with any medium - water-based inks, biro, gel-pen, fountain pen etc and for water colour, as well as ‘dry’ media. This is the paper that will give best results for finely detailed work and calligraphy.
3) Sealed handmade paper
Many artists want the ‘tooth’ of handmade paper, but wish to use it with wet media (inks and water colour). For this purpose I have developed a ‘sealed’ handmade paper. It still has plenty of texture, but is sealed with a blend of organic substances that prevent ‘bleeding’. For connoisseurs of fine paper I also offer this paper with ‘deckled edges’. If you are in doubt about choosing the paper that is right for your requirements you are welcome to try some sample sheets - please just send me your postal address.
A note on the quality of handmade papers
I offer the following tips for selecting handmade paper of good quality:
Look out for dullness or ‘greyness’ and a mushy texture – these are signs that recycled paper has been added at pulping stage, in order to swell production and cut costs.
Hold a sheet of the paper to the light and check it for unevenness (one side of the page may be thick, while the other side is thin; or there are humps and hollows throughout) – signs of insufficient care at the mixing or pulping stage, and inadequate rolling and pressing. Unevenness in the thickness of paper severely reduces your control of shading and colouring.
Avoid paper that is suspiciously bright or white – this effect can only be achieved by bleaching. The addition of such chemicals to paper will compromise the durability of pigments. | 
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