Good fountain pen paper can provide a smooth writing surface while allowing fountain pen inks to display characteristics such as shading and sheen. The wrong paper, however, may result in feathering, bleeding, or excessive show-through.For fountain pen users who prefer the A5 format, loose-leaf refill paper offers another important advantage: you can choose your own planner, binder, and page arrangement without being tied to a particular notebook.One particularly interesting option is Sanzen Tomoe River 68gsm, a lightweight Japanese paper available in A5 format.In this guide, we’ll look at what makes A5 fountain pen refill paper different, how 68gsm compares with 52gsm, and why pre-punched Tomoe River paper can be useful for A5 ring planners.
What Makes Good A5 Fountain Pen Refill Paper?
Fountain pen users tend to look for somewhat different characteristics than users of ballpoint or gel pens.
Because fountain pens use liquid ink, different pens and nibs can put considerably more ink onto the page. A good fountain pen paper should therefore provide a pleasant writing surface while controlling the interaction between the ink and the paper.
Depending on your fountain pen, nib, and ink combination, useful characteristics may include:
- Smooth writing
- Good line definition
- Low feathering
- Good resistance to bleeding
- Controlled show-through
- Attractive ink shading
- Visible ink sheen
- A pleasant writing feel
No paper behaves identically with every fountain pen and every ink. A fine, relatively dry nib can behave very differently from a broad, wet, or flex nib.
That is why experienced fountain pen users often experiment with different combinations of pen + nib + ink + paper.
Why Choose A5 Fountain Pen Refill Paper?
A5 is one of the most useful sizes for fountain pen journaling and planning.
At approximately 148 × 210 mm, A5 provides considerably more writing space than pocket formats while remaining compact enough for everyday use. A5 is part of the standardized A-series paper sizes defined by ISO 216.
For ring-planner users, A5 also has another advantage: pages can be removed, rearranged, and replaced.
This makes A5 refill paper particularly useful for:
- Fountain pen journals
- Daily planners
- Commonplace books
- Ink journals
- Notes
- Study
- Creative writing
- Project planning
- Personal organization
A5 is a useful compromise between portability and writing space, which is one reason it remains popular among stationery and fountain pen enthusiasts.
Why Sanzen Tomoe River 68gsm Is Interesting for Fountain Pen Users
Sanzen Tomoe River 68gsm is a lightweight Japanese paper that has attracted considerable attention from fountain pen users.
The 68gsm format provides a somewhat more substantial feel than ultra-light 52gsm paper while remaining relatively lightweight.
That balance can appeal to people who enjoy the characteristics associated with Tomoe River paper but prefer a sheet with a little more physical substance.
For an everyday A5 refill, 68gsm is an interesting option because it combines relatively low weight with a more substantial feel than very lightweight papers.
It is also available in formats suitable for loose-leaf use, making it possible to combine fountain pen-friendly paper with a customizable A5 planner or ring-binder system.
68gsm vs 52gsm Tomoe River: What’s the Difference?
This is one of the most common questions among fountain pen enthusiasts.
The simplest answer is that they provide different writing experiences rather than one being universally better than the other.
52gsm
52gsm paper is exceptionally lightweight and thin.
It can be attractive if you want:
- Maximum page count without adding much bulk
- Very lightweight journals
- A distinctive thin-paper writing experience
- A paper known for showcasing fountain pen inks
68gsm
68gsm is somewhat more substantial.
It may appeal to users who want:
- A little more physical substance
- A practical everyday writing surface
- Fountain-pen-friendly paper for planners and journals
- A balance between lightweight paper and a more substantial sheet
Fountain pen enthusiasts have preferences for both weights. Personal preference, nib size, ink choice, and tolerance for show-through all play a role.
If you are unsure which weight you prefer, trying a small sample of each can be the best way to decide.
Cream or White: Which Should You Choose?
Sanzen Tomoe River 68gsm A5 paper is available in Cream and White.
The choice is primarily about personal preference and the type of writing experience you want.
Cream
Cream provides a warmer writing surface and can be particularly attractive for:
- Personal journals
- Long-form writing
- Traditional stationery
- Vintage-inspired fountain pen setups
- Warm-toned inks
White
White provides a brighter, more neutral background and can be particularly attractive for:
- Ink swatches
- Color comparison
- Note-taking
- Planning
- Bright and saturated inks
- Users who prefer stronger color contrast
Neither color is inherently better. The important thing is choosing the surface that you personally enjoy looking at every day.
Punched vs Unpunched A5 Fountain Pen Paper
This is where A5 refill paper becomes particularly interesting.
Explore our A5 fountain pen paper refills to find Japanese fountain-pen-friendly paper in punched and unpunched formats for compatible A5 binders and planners.
Unpunched A5 Paper
Unpunched A5 sheets provide maximum flexibility.
You can:
- Punch your own holes
- Use the paper for custom projects
- Create your own planner layouts
- Use alternative binding systems
- Use the sheets for general writing and stationery projects
6-Hole Punched A5 Paper
6-holes spacing: 19 – 19 – 70 – 19 -19mm ( 0.75 – 0.75 – 2.75 – 0.75 – 0.75 “)
Pre-punched paper is designed for convenience.
Instead of buying loose paper and preparing it yourself, you can place the refill directly into a compatible A5 six-ring planner or binder.
For someone who writes every day, this small convenience can be surprisingly valuable.
Our 6-hole punched A5 format spacing ( 0.75 – 0.75 – 2.75 – 0.75 – 0.75 “) is designed for compatible A5 six-ring planner systems. Because hole spacing can vary between manufacturers and products, always check your specific planner before purchasing.
A5 Fountain Pen Refill Paper for Filofax-Style Planners
If you use an A5 six-ring planner, pre-punched paper can save considerable preparation time.
Our A5 punched format uses a two-groups-of-three-hole configuration designed for compatible A5 six-ring systems.
The holes spacing is 19mm – 19mm – 70mm -19mm -19mm
The punching configuration has been physically tested with compatible planner systems.
Important: planner specifications can vary. Please check the hole spacing and dimensions of your specific planner or binder before ordering.
How Many Sheets Should an A5 Fountain Pen Refill Paper Have?
There is no single correct answer.
A smaller pack can be convenient for testing a new paper. A larger pack makes more sense if you already know you enjoy the paper and use it regularly.
Our Sanzen Tomoe River 68gsm A5 refill contains:
100 sheets
When both sides are used, that provides up to:
200 writing sides
For someone who journals regularly, 100 sheets provides a substantial refill without making the product unnecessarily complicated or difficult to store.
How Does Sanzen Tomoe River 68gsm Perform With Fountain Pens?
Ink Swatch on Sanzen tomoe river paper 68 gsm:
(left to write, 1 line): Jack Frost, Yama-budo, Cafe des iles, Blue Ed noel
Line 2: Guitar Taisho ( Innocent Mauve, Emotional Olive, Smoky Navy)
One reason fountain pen enthusiasts pay close attention to paper is that paper can influence how an ink looks on the page.
Depending on the particular pen and ink combination, fountain pen users may notice characteristics such as:
Shading
Some inks produce variations from lighter to darker tones within individual strokes.
Sheen
Certain highly saturated inks can develop a contrasting surface color when enough ink accumulates.
Line Definition
The interaction between the nib, ink, and paper can influence how clearly the characteristics of a fountain pen nib appear on the page.
Show-Through
Because 68gsm remains lightweight paper, some show-through can be visible depending on the ink and pen.
It is important to distinguish show-through from bleeding.
Show-through means writing from the opposite side can be visible through the sheet. Bleeding occurs when ink penetrates through the paper.
The result can vary significantly between inks, nib sizes, and writing pressure, so we recommend testing your favorite fountain pen and ink combination before committing to a large writing project.
Fountain Pen Paper Tip
Don’t judge fountain pen paper using only one pen and one ink.
A paper that performs beautifully with a fine Japanese nib and moderately wet ink may behave differently with a broad nib and heavily saturated ink.
If you are evaluating a new paper, try several nib widths and inks before deciding whether it suits your writing style.
Sanzen Tomoe River 68gsm A5 Fountain Pen Refill Paper: who is it For?
This paper is particularly interesting for people who:
- Use fountain pens regularly
- Keep an A5 planner
- Maintain a fountain pen journal
- Enjoy experimenting with fountain pen inks
- Want loose-leaf Tomoe River paper
- Prefer removable and rearrangeable pages
- Want pre-punched A5 paper
- Prefer to choose between Cream and White
- Want 100 sheets in one refill
It can also be useful for people who already own an A5 ring planner but want to use a more specialized fountain-pen-friendly writing paper.
Why Use Loose-Leaf Fountain Pen Paper Instead of a Notebook?
A notebook provides simplicity: open it and start writing.
Loose-leaf paper provides flexibility.
You can:
- Remove pages
- Rearrange pages
- Add new pages
- Move notes between sections
- Create your own planner system
For fountain pen users who enjoy customizing their writing system, this flexibility can be a major advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sanzen Tomoe River 68gsm good for fountain pens?
Sanzen Tomoe River 68gsm is widely used for fountain-pen-oriented notebooks, journals, and paper products. Actual performance can vary depending on the fountain pen, nib, ink, writing pressure, and individual preferences.
Is 68gsm better than 52gsm?
Neither is universally better. 52gsm is thinner and lighter, while 68gsm provides a somewhat more substantial sheet. Your choice depends on your preferred writing feel, planner requirements, and tolerance for show-through.
Is A5 a good size for fountain pen journaling?
Yes. A5 offers a useful balance between writing space and portability and is widely used for journals, planners, notebooks, and ring-binder systems.
Is the A5 paper available punched?
Yes. Our Sanzen Tomoe River 68gsm A5 paper refill is available in a 6-hole punched format as well as an unpunched format.
Is it available in Cream and White?
Yes. Both Cream and White are available.
How many sheets are included?
Each pack contains 100 sheets, providing up to 200 writing sides when both sides of the paper are used.
Can I use both sides of Sanzen Tomoe River 68gsm paper?
Yes. Both sides can be used. The amount of show-through depends on your fountain pen, nib, ink, and writing style.
Is the punched paper compatible with every A5 planner?
Not necessarily. A5 describes the paper size, but hole spacing and punching specifications can vary between planner systems. The hole spacing of the 6-holes that we are offering is this:
19mm – 19mm – 70mm – 19mm -19mm
Please kindly check your planner’s specifications before purchasing.
Conclusion
The appeal of good fountain pen paper is not simply that it prevents ink from bleeding.
It is about the entire writing experience: the feel of the nib moving across the page, the way an ink settles into the paper, the appearance of shading, and the occasional flash of sheen.
For fountain pen users who prefer an A5 format, Sanzen Tomoe River 68gsm refill paper combines a lightweight Japanese paper with the flexibility of loose-leaf pages.
Available in Cream and White, and in 6-hole punched or unpunched formats, it gives you the flexibility to build an A5 writing system around the paper you enjoy using.
Shop Sanzen Tomoe River 68gsm A5 Fountain Pen Refill Paper →
