Yamamoto Writing Pad Bank Paper (A5)

Bank Paper is a writing paper originally developed by Mitsubishi Paper Mills in 1960 for bank ledgers – documents that needed to remain legible for decades. Yamamoto Paper has incorporated this paper into their Writing Pad block: 100 sheets in A5, blank, with a surface that feels unusually firm and even under the nib. The formula of a blend of different cellulose types and cotton gives the paper a distinctive character – not soft and yielding like many writing papers, but slightly cool and stable, with a smoothness that holds ink with precision.

Features

• Cellulose-cotton blend, 66.3 g/m²: The cotton content gives the paper specific strength and durability. Ink dries quickly and doesn't bleed – no feathering, no bleeding, minimal ghosting with double-sided use.
• Smooth, firm writing surface: Fountain pen inks reveal their full colour and shading on this surface. Fine and extra-fine nibs glide without resistance; broad nibs and stub nibs produce every stroke with sharp definition.
• High opacity for double-sided use: Despite its comparatively light weight, ink from the reverse side barely shows through – both sides of each sheet are fully usable.
• Blank sheets with double-sided underlay sheet: The included underlay sheet has a 6 mm grid on one side and 12 mm lines on the other – for placing underneath for structured writing without lines appearing on the actual sheet.
• Top-edge binding: Clean adhesive binding at the top edge; individual sheets can be removed without tearing or fraying.
• "Three Diamonds" watermark: Each sheet bears the watermark of Mitsubishi Paper Mills – a recognisable quality hallmark visible when held to the light.
• Acid-free: The paper won't yellow and remains stable over time – suitable for documents intended for long-term archiving.

Use & Tips

• Fountain pen with fine to broad nib: Bank Paper shows ink shading and sheen particularly clearly. Anyone writing with wet nibs or highly shading inks will immediately notice the difference from ordinary office paper.
• Liquid ink rollers and glass dip pens: The firm, uniform surface provides a secure, clear line quality with these writing tools – no feathering at the stroke edges.
• Drafts, letters, daily notes: The blank pages and underlay sheet system are equally suited to free writing and structured pages with even line spacing.
• Calligraphy with stub nib: The smooth surface allows sharp transitions between hairlines and thick strokes. Water-based inks and fountain pen inks adhere evenly without running.
• Tip for dry nibs: Because the surface is very smooth, dry or reluctant nibs can struggle here particularly easily. With a well-adjusted, sufficiently wet nib, however, the paper performs flawlessly.
• Archiving: The acid-free nature makes written sheets suitable for long-term storage – for letters, diary pages or handwritten documents you wish to preserve.

For Paper Enthusiasts

Bank Paper was created in 1960 by Mitsubishi Paper Mills for use in bank ledgers – records that needed to remain legible under daily use and mechanically durable. The specific blend of different cellulose types and cotton is not a decorative feature, but a functional response to this requirement: cotton fibres increase tear resistance and dimensional stability against moisture, while cellulose components control smoothness and opacity. The "Three Diamonds" watermark is Mitsubishi Paper Mills' internal quality seal and is visible on every sheet when held to the light. Yamamoto Paper has made this paper accessible as part of their Writing Pad series because such speciality papers are rarely available as writing blocks outside their original industrial use – and because production of these quality grades is not secured long-term.

Technical Specifications