Laurel Denise planner interior pages are made with 130 gsm premium paper. This includes our short pages, planner inserts, and the pages found in The Kristy and The Mae planners. Our planner monthly divider tabs are made with 290 gsm heavyweight cardstock for added durability.
Shopping for a planner online means you can't flip through the pages or test your favorite pen before it arrives. That's why we've put together this guide. Here's a closer look at the paper we use, how different writing tools perform, and where you can see real pen tests before you buy.
We believe a planner should be just as enjoyable to write in as it is to plan with. That's why we put just as much thought into the paper as we do the layouts.
Interior pages
Our planner pages, short pages, planner inserts, and the pages found in The Kristy and The Mae planners are printed on 130 gsm premium paper, creating a smooth writing experience while helping minimize bleed-through with many everyday writing tools.
Monthly Divider tabs
Our planner monthly divider tabs are printed on 290 gsm heavyweight cardstock, giving them the durability to stand up to frequent page turning throughout the year.
What does 130 gsm paper mean?
Paper weight is measured in grams per square meter (gsm).
While the number itself doesn't tell you exactly how a paper will feel, it does provide a consistent way to compare paper across different products.
We chose 130 gsm paper because it creates the writing experience we were looking for: pages that feel substantial, write smoothly, and help minimize bleed-through while still being practical for everyday planning.
Will my favorite pen bleed through?
Most everyday planning pens perform beautifully on our 130 gsm paper.
The exact experience depends on the writing tool, ink, tip size, and even how heavily you write.
Things that can affect pen performance include:
- Ink formulation
- Tip size
- Writing pressure
- How much ink the pen lays down
Very wet inks and alcohol-based markers may show more ghosting or bleed-through than ballpoint or gel pens.
Can I see how different pens and planning tools perform?
Absolutely!
If you'd like to see how different writing tools perform on Laurel Denise paper, we recommend visiting Dr. Inkwell's Lab.
Dr. Inkwell has tested everything from ballpoint, gel, rollerball, and fountain pens to highlighters, white out, reusable plastic inserts, and other planning tools. His methods are... unconventional. His conclusions, however, are surprisingly useful.
Visit Dr. Inkwell's Lab
What's the difference between ghosting and bleed-through?
These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they're actually different.
Ghosting
Ghosting means you can faintly see your writing through the back of the page, but the ink has not passed through the paper.
Bleed-through
Bleed-through means the ink has soaked through the paper and is visible on the opposite side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the paper the same in every Laurel Denise planner?
All Laurel Denise planner interior pages are printed on 130 gsm premium paper, including short pages, extra pages, and The Kristy planner. Planner divider tabs are printed on 290 gsm heavyweight cardstock.
Why did you switch from pounds (lb) to gsm?
We've updated our paper specifications to use gsm (grams per square meter) because it's the international standard for measuring paper weight. It provides a more consistent way to compare paper across different products and manufacturers.
I use a specific pen. Can you tell me how it performs?
Probably!
Dr. Inkwell has tested many of the writing tools our customers use every day, including:
- Ballpoint pens
- Gel pens
- Rollerball pens
- Fine liners
- Fountain pens
- Highlighters
- Brush pens
- Permanent markers
- White out products
If you're using one of our reusable plastic inserts, Dr. Inkwell has tested those too. We recommend writing on plastic inserts with an ultra-fine permanent marker for the least amount of smudging. When you're ready to reuse the page, erase your writing with a dry erase marker and wipe the page clean.
Start by visiting Dr. Inkwell's Lab to see if your favorite writing tool has already been tested.
If you don't find it there, head over to our private Laurel Denise Love (LDL) Facebook community. Our planner community loves comparing pens, sharing writing samples, and helping each other discover new favorites.
We recommend doing a quick search in the group first. If your pen hasn't been discussed yet, ask away! There's a good chance someone has already tested it. And if not, you've just given another planner person the perfect excuse to try a new pen. 😊
I still have a question.
We're always happy to help! If you have a question about our paper, writing tools, or anything else, reach out to our Customer Care team. We'll do our best to answer your question or point you to the right resource.