Paper Review: Sterling Ink, Owl Paper, Hobonichi & Aura Estelle’s New Sanzen Paper

Paper Review: Sterling Ink, Owl Paper, Hobonichi & Aura Estelle’s New Sanzen Paper

One of my lovely readers sent me a sample of the new paper that Aura Estelle will be using in their planners for 2026. My plan was to review this new Tomoe River Paper 52gsm white (New Sanzen) paper on its own but it quickly became clear that a comparison was needed between not just…

Notebook Review: Mark’s Inc. EDiT B7 Grid Notebook (320pp)

Notebook Review: Mark’s Inc. EDiT B7 Grid Notebook (320pp)

While attending the DC Pen Show, I had an opportunity to participate in a survey at the Pilot USA table. The tam at Pilot was asking attendees to compare to types of paper using various pens and asked a series of questions as to why we preferred one over the other. Upon completing the survey…

Paper Test: Wonderland 222 New Planner Paper for 2026

Paper Test: Wonderland 222 New Planner Paper for 2026

Liisa at Wonderland222 gave me the opportunity to test the new papers that will be used in the Wonderland222 2026 planners. This paper is a conscientious choice not to use the 52gsm Sanzen Tomoe River paper that caused so many issues last year across the planner and stationery community. What they will be using is…

Paper Review: Sakae TP Iroful Loose Leaf A5

Paper Review: Sakae TP Iroful Loose Leaf A5

Review by Tina Koyama A friend who writes with both graphite pencils and fountain pens told me about Sakae Iroful paper. He said it’s made for fountain pens, but he enjoys writing on it with pencil, too. I found that intriguing. At first blush, the two types of instruments seem to have opposing needs: Pencils…

Ink Swatch Art: Colorverse Colorspace Hubble-C Swatch Art Card

We also know some folks who create ink swatches so beautifully they could be considered art. Well Colorverse has tried to make some “out of this world” space art with their new Colorverse Colorspace Swatch Art Cards ($6-7 for 30 cards). Printed on Colorverse’s 200 gsm Nebula Paper, these cards reveal cool space themed designs…

Notebook Review: Traveler’s Short Trip Passport Size

While at the California Pen Show, I was able to score a few samples from the Traveler’s/Plotter table. Not that I needed any Traveler’s Notebook samples. I’ve been a loyal fan of Traveler’s for …. hmmmm… over a decade now! But it was a delight to revisit some of the classic refills. Because Traveler’s is…