Why I Chose 80gsm B7 Bulky Paper for My Notebooks

— Choosing 80gsm B7 Bulky paper: A thoughtful decision for the fountain pen community

If you have spent any time in the fountain pen community, you know that paper matters as much as the pen itself.

The perfect ink can look dull on the wrong surface. A beautiful nib can feel scratchy and unpleasant. And there is nothing quite as disappointing as turning a page to find your carefully crafted words bleeding through to the other side.

When I set out to create my notebooks, I knew the paper had to be exceptional. I chose B7 Bulky paper for notebook—a fountain pen‑friendly specialty paper made by Nippon Paper Industries at their legendary Ishinomaki mill.

But then came the question: 70gsm or 80gsm?

The standard B7 Bulky paper is available in 70gsm. Many reviewers have praised it as a high‑performance paper that handles a wide range of inks and nibs with no feathering or bleed‑through. So why did I choose the heavier 80gsm variant?

Let me walk you through my reasoning.

The B7 Bulky Paper Story

Before I explain the weight decision, it is worth understanding what makes B7 Bulky special in the first place.

B7 Bulky paper is produced by Nippon Paper Industries using a unique bulking technology—a manufacturing process that achieves low base weight while maintaining high paper thickness. In simple terms: the paper feels thick and substantial without being heavy.

The result is a paper with a plush, cushioned feel—often described as borderline “squishy”. It has a very slight texture that provides pleasant feedback while writing, rather than the glassy smoothness that some papers offer.

But the real magic is in how B7 Bulky interacts with ink. The lightly coated surface holds ink on top rather than absorbing it immediately, which means sheen and shading are pushed to their absolute peak. In fact, some reviewers have rated B7 Bulky even better than Cosmo Air Light for bringing out that metallic, glossy sheen that fountain pen enthusiasts obsess over.

70gsm vs 80gsm: The Numbers

Let us look at the technical specifications.

According to Nippon Paper Industries’ official data:

That is a 20‑micron difference—approximately 18‑19% thicker.

This might not sound like much, but in the world of fountain pen paper, those extra microns make a tangible difference.

Why 80gsm Matters for Fountain Pens

1. The Bleed‑Through Question

The single biggest concern for fountain pen users is bleed‑through—when ink penetrates the paper and appears on the reverse side.

Many mass‑market notebooks use 70gsm or lighter paper that simply cannot absorb liquid ink cleanly. The result is feathering—ink spreading along paper fibres into fuzzy edges—and bleed‑through, where the ink shows through to the other side.

For fountain pens, especially those with wetter nibs, anything under 70gsm is a gamble. Even at 70gsm, some papers show occasional bleed‑through with wet inks.

80gsm is widely considered the “gold standard” for fountain pen paper. At this weight, the fibre density is high enough to hold liquid ink without allowing it to penetrate through.

By choosing 80gsm over the standard 70gsm, I am giving you an extra layer of confidence. Whether you are using a wet broad nib, a flex pen laying down heavy lines, or a heavily saturated sheening ink, this paper will hold up.

2. Ghosting and Opacity

Ghosting—the faint visibility of writing from the other side—is another concern. Even if ink does not bleed through, seeing the text from the previous page can be distracting.

80gsm paper has higher opacity than 70gsm. The extra thickness means less show‑through, making both sides of every page genuinely usable.

With 192 pages in each notebook, that matters. Every page should be a pleasure to write on, not a compromise.

3. A More Substantial Feel

There is something satisfying about writing on paper that feels substantial without being bulky.

The 80gsm B7 Bulky, at 127 μm thick, provides a more premium tactile experience than the 70gsm version. It feels more like a proper notebook and less like thin, insubstantial sheets.

Yet because of Nippon Paper’s bulking technology, the paper remains lightweight despite its thickness. You get the best of both worlds: a substantial feel without an excessively heavy notebook.

The Trade‑Off: Drying Time

I want to be transparent about one thing.

Because B7 Bulky holds ink on the surface to maximise sheen and shading, drying time is slightly longer than on standard copier paper.

This is not a flaw—it is a feature of premium ink‑display papers. The same coating that produces spectacular sheen is the reason ink takes a moment to set.

What the Community Says

The fountain pen community has responded positively to B7 Bulky.

In a detailed review of the Yamamoto Paper Fountain Pen Friendly Paper Collection, the 70gsm B7 Bulky was rated “High” for fountain pen friendliness, handling all tested inks and nibs with no feathering or bleed‑through.

The texture was described as similar to Cosmo Air Light—a heavier paper with a very slight texture and that coveted “squishy” feeling.

If the 70gsm version already performs this well, imagine what the 80gsm version can do.

My Final Decision

I chose 80gsm B7 Bulky paper for three reasons:

1. Peace of mind. I want you to write with confidence, not anxiety. Use your wettest nibs, your heaviest sheening inks, your most saturated colours. This paper can handle it.
2. A premium experience. The extra thickness provides a more substantial, luxurious feel without making the notebook heavy or unwieldy.
3. No compromises. The fountain pen community deserves paper that performs at the highest level. 80gsm is the gold standard, and I am committed to delivering nothing less.

The Result

My notebooks feature 192 pages of 80gsm B7 Bulky paper, sewn‑bound to lay completely flat, available in four layouts: Blank, 5mm Dot, 5mm Grid, and 7mm Lined.

They are A5 size—the perfect balance between portability and writing space.

And they are built for people who understand that great writing starts with great paper.

Whether you are journaling, sketching, planning, or simply enjoying the ritual of putting pen to paper, these notebooks are designed to elevate the experience.

B7 Bulky paper 80gsm—because your ink deserves better.

— Danika

Have questions about the B7 Bulky paper? I would love to hear from you. Drop a comment below or reach out through the website.