Write Now - Ep.112: Stationery & Letter Writing

[@45sandlps]

Sorry, just remembered something else. If you want a line guide for any pad, that is darker or wider between lines or narrow to suit your style, make one in MS Word or the like. Use either the A4 or A5 template, insert a single column table with 5 lines, select all and change the font size to 14 or your preferred, go to Borders and Shading and make the horizontal lines thicker as in 2 to 3 PT, and take out the end verticals. To add lines to the rest of the page just keep entering down and the format will be applied. Insert a sheet of your paper and print.

[@Gouletpens]

Great tip, thanks for adding it! - Colin

[@davidjacobson5710]

I use this stationary (Triomphe) as well. Love it.

[@nikkay3148]

Loved this! You guys are great!!! I'm starting to write a letter right now because of you two. :)

[@LovkynaPeral]

Handwritten Letter is the best. 💌

[@turnercorey2839]

instablaster

[@raelastander2346]

I just bought the Original Crown Mill in light blue, envelopes and paper, from Goulet, of course. I love it. Beautiful letter presentation.

[@Allthough]

Happy to see a paper episode! I love the more textured papers myself. I just can't seem to warm up to Tamoe River.... I always write on both sides, and I rarely use fine points. So, the Original Crown Mill Laid Paper is one of my favorites.

[@maxvanbalgooy]

To show the difference in paper textures, use a raking light (a light held at a sharp angle to the paper) and identify whether it is coated or not. Makes a big difference in absorption of ink as well as the feel of the nib when writing.

[@kiavonne]

G.Lalo texture = laid paper (relates to how the paper is made and dried), deckle edge = hand torn paper edge (or simulated). I've used all these papers you've showcased, and I like them all. Right now, I'm using the creme Tomoe River (I only write on one side of the page for letters and the TR looks very nice in creme), and I'm liking it a lot. I'm sure it would cost a fortune (being premier Italian paper), but I'd also like to see Goulet Pens carry Amatruda La Carta di Amalfi paper in creme. Talk about luxury with both a very nice texture for fountain pens and deckle edges. Thanks for the great video!

[@Gouletpens]

I'll pass along that product suggestion! Looking to add more paper/stationery in 2019. - Colin

[@kiavonne]

@@Gouletpens Cool, thanks, Colin! www.amatruda.eu/product-category/writing-and-business-cards/

[@viraj__shah]

I would love to see a Write Now on the Opus 88 line. They are damn good looking pens but I have a hard time deciding on which one to get since they're similarly priced, eyedroppers, etc. So I'm sure there are differences in nib sizes (#5 vs #6, etc.) but I don't see anyone covering a comparison of the whole lineup (I've only seen one on one comparisons).

[@45sandlps]

A great subject done well, plenty to try. If you're worried about a wet pen on smooth paper smudging, just use a blotter on the last paragraph before turning the page. Goulet Nation would be the only reason I'd start using Facebook!

[@kephrarubin]

I'm more into ink and paper than pens myself 😊 good vid

[@villegas24]

Same, I think I have all the pens I really want. The rest would be just fillers.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Very nice video! I still haven't found the right pen/ink combo for the G Lalo paper but I'll keep looking. My favorite paper is Tomoe River paper for pen pal writing!

[@villegas24]

I just got into leinenpapier (laid) paper. What a new experience.

[@AnzanHoshinRoshi]

Thank you, Drew and Lydia.

[@CaptainWumbo]

One of the interesting things about letter writing is that if it is meaningful people will tend to keep it in a way they don't keep email. At the end of the year post cards can be a nice way to let people know you're alive and what your current address is. Still, it's very rare I post something rather than email it, even if the message is personal, unless it is combined with a gift. Perhaps I'm missing out.

[@Gouletpens]

Might be time to change that! Writing a few letters could turn into a few more. :) - Colin

[@vincentlake]

What would be a good stationary set to use with a flex nib such as a Noodlers Ahab, that tends to write a little wetter?

[@kimberlyhornikel771]

Should I in fact only write on the front of a printed stationery page? Should my letters be limited to no more than 2 pages total (the number allotted by the paper to envelope ratio) ? Is it acceptable for the stationery and the envelope not to match (as I run out of stationery much faster the envelopes) And is there a source where I can find out proper etiquette?

[@anthonygrimm222]

There are penpal groups on Facebook also

[@heribertocastro6652]

Anyone else think of Seinfeld with the licking an envelope a day? HAHA

[@Gouletpens]

Definitely crossed my mind! Don't want to end up like Susan... - Colin

[@bourgeoise2]

I have been researching Crane's stationery and note cards. Crane's is not mentioned in your review. What are your thoughts about it? Is it compatible with fountain pens? If so, which Crane's stationery and note card product would you recommend? Thank you.

[@jayfinger5436]

bourgeoise2 I love Crane paper. I bought two different sets for Christmas cards, both 100% cotton with kid finish. I thought the only difference between the sets was ivory vs cream paper, but it turned out that the cream feathered whereas the ivory did not. I wish I had written down their sku numbers to look up the difference, because I'm guessing there is more to that than just "ivory vs cream". But I will use them again in the future for sure. The kid finish is rougher than I'm used to. Drew's comments in the video were spot on, even if he was talking about laid and not kid. I normally use Japanese EF & F nibs, but those were uncomfortable to write with on this paper. So I inked up a stub that I don't regularly use because it is to wide and smooth for me normally, and that was great. People receiving notes on this are very impressed with the paper. People who know nothing about fountain pens and inks can still pick up fine paper and appreciate it. Too be clear, I wouldn't normally use this, my journals are all Tomoe River. But for occasional correspondence when you want the occasion to be clearly important, this is excellent paper.

[@stargazer1359]

Good info...Looking for textured paper. Thanks!

[@BenNixon32]

This is an off topic question for this video, but I’m looking to buy a TWSBI 580 pen as an upgrade from my Metropolitan. Are the medium nibs comparable between these two pens? If TWSBI’s medium is broader than Pilot’s, I’ll get the fine nib. What do you think? Thanks!

[@Gouletpens]

I would say the Fine is a bit closer to the Metropolitan Medium nib! You can compare for yourself with our Nib Nook tool: www.gouletpens.com/pages/nib-nook - Colin

[@dragorsi]

I'm curious, is the price to post letters the same regardless of envelope shape and size? Here in Hungary it's not, but I have no idea how it works for the rest of the world. I make my own envelopes and mostly use Tomoe River (or if I'm lazy X;D a lined paper from Muji). All these look really nice, but not easily accessible here. Plus TR is TR. :D

[@LovkynaPeral]

Here is Slovakia is only Gramm what is important. Like 50 g Letter or 100gramms... The Size is not Important really.

[@invisuu6280]

Here in Slovenia, a letter is anything that is less than 2 kgs. Which is weird, because I've sent huge packages as letters before, because they weighted less than 2 kgs.

[@Gouletpens]

Yeah, I think weight is the biggest factor more so than shape & size. - Colin

[@LovkynaPeral]

@@invisuu6280 yes here too, letter can be almoust 2 Kg.. But start by 50gramms.so i mean it. But size is not so important

[@dragorsi]

@@LovkynaPeral @invisuu @TheInkNouveau Thanks! We have the weight thing here as well (yep until 2 kgs you can send flat enough stuff as a letter), but if something is differs from the standard (like a wax seal :/) I have to pay extra. So I need to be very careful of my envelope choices unfortunately.

[@Blessed-px2rh]

The camera was messy and frustrating to see them try and fail to focus. Painful to watch

[@inerlogic]

I don’t like the Triomphe..... Tomoe River FTW

[@safarimom]

Same here. I just received my first pad of Triomphe this week. I tried a combination of 8 or more pens and inks. Most of the pens were skipping or not writing at all yet they all write nice and juicy on Tomoe River and even on copy paper. I only used 2 sheets. I think I will give the rest away. Plus the inks look amazing on tomoe river. I feel better now knowing that I am not the only one who dosn't love it.