I'd like to share some of my thoughts about different paper. I've been experimenting these past few weeks on paper that is rollable without creasing (so I can mail my work) yet also robust enough to counteract marker bleeding.

In all of these trials I've settled on using micron pens because of their pigment durability and their variety of colors and line thicknesses. A different pen or marker will have different results, but I feel like micron pens are ubiquitous and provide enough quality to be a sensible option for everyone.

My first posters were made on Strathmore 300 Series bristol board. The smooth surface is easy on the pen nib and lines are consistent from start to finish. The one drawback is that the paper is very stiff and hard to roll without creasing.

Next I tried more specialized paper, specifically Fabriano cotton paper. I really like the feel and flexibility of this paper, the company watermark is a nice touch, and the slight texture of the page adds a lot of dimension to the artwork itself. The cream color of the page is also a nice feature that sets it apart from other paper options. This choice had a lot going for it before putting any markers to the page. Too bad the paper gunks up the pen over time. My posters on this paper always started out nice but by the end the lines attained a dried-out look as the pen nib started getting clogged with particles.

Right now, I'm using Borden & Riley Paris Paper, and it's the greatest I've found so far. It's got a smooth surface which lowers friction between the page and the pen nib, helping to iron out subtle irregularities. It's hefty enough to feel strong, yet flexible enough to roll up without complaint. I haven't noticed any bleeding when using this paper, and it has an appealing semi-glossy finish that gives my drawings that nice "poster" quality. The only drawback I've found is the limited color variety with this paper. White is your only option, and after trying a few cream colored pictures on Fabriano paper, it's hard to go back to boring milky white.

So that's it for now. Borden & Riley Paris Paper is my recommendation for anybody who questions their current paper choice. If anybody has other suggestions, I'd like to hear them.

I think the equivalent (to micron) pens I get here more commonly are Pilot DR drawing pen, but they started to get much less common in the last year. I got a couple of microns to compare and didn't notice any difference. My replacement was the ZIG Millennium pens which are just as good. Good black blacks.

I have tried these black UNIPin pens too though, and I like them a lot, the colour is slightly warmer than the ZIGs or the DR pens, quite handsome.

You get great quality of line with the finer pens, and no bleed at all. I can't decide if the bleedlessness is to do with the paper, the pigmented ink or the water-basedness. I admit I still like the real vibrance you get with dye-based alcohol pens (sharpies), good bright colours. Though these double ended ZIG writers are my go-to pens. Wide range of pigmented colours, a thin end (which is good for fine work, about 0.8mm ish) and a fat end for impact (about 1.2mm) and actually seem to last for ages. A sharpie lasts about half a page before it starts drying up.

I've been sticking with bristol board but it must be lighter weight than yours Gensior, because it's ok to roll. Althoughs it's a real problem to get the curl out of it once it's been rolled - it doesn't fall out on its own. But good and smooth, and so doesn't gum up the pen tip.

I would love to use a paper with a bit of tooth, a bit of texture like a watercolour paper with it's deckled edges and all that, and I've got a couple of beautiful sheets, but it's pretty expensive ($10 ish) so I've been too afraid to try it.

sn