Where can I find typewriter paper?

July 12, 2010 1:34 PM

Where can I find (modern/non-vintage) typewriter paper? Does anybody make it anymore?

I just purchased 3 vintage typewriters and I'm wondering where I can find proper typewriter paper (not the generic all-purpose stuff), particularly in Canada if possible. I can't seem to find anything using google at all. Also, it would be helpful if anybody knows the "proper" spec's for typewriter paper (i.e. paper finish, weight, composition--25% cotton, I think?)--perhaps it's out there but no longer referred to as "typewriter paper" and I don't know what to look for? The vintage stuff is cool but expensive and hard to find, so I'm trying to find a contemporary supplier. Thanks in advance!

posted by 1000monkeys to Technology (5 answers total)

Best answer: Do you mean bond paper?

Any good stationery store should carry it, as well as quite a lot of office supply stores. Your local Staples or Office Depot or whatever you guys have over in Canadiastan might not have it in stock, but usually they carry it online.

Assuming Toronto has its share of graphic designers, invitation printers, and crafty folk, your best bet is probably at a store which calls itself a "paperie" or otherwise markets itself as a source for high quality paper and stationery goods.

Here in New York I would try Paper Presentation or Kate's Paperie. I'm sure something like that exists in Toronto.
posted by Sara C. at 2:04 PM on July 12, 2010

Best answer: I have been typing since the mid 1960's (I started on a manual typewriter). I am very familiar with typewriter characteristics. Typewriters use exactly the same kind of paper that photocopiers use. It's just called copy paper now, instead of typewriter paper. You do not have to use any special paper, it does not require a high fiber content, a special coating, or any other special features. Just use regular paper. If you are not getting a good result the most likely problem would lie in the ink ribbon, not the paper. Or the keys could be dirty and need to be cleaned. Those are the usual causes of degraded typing quality. Typewriter keys collect fiber from the ribbons and get clogged. Clean them with a solvent (such as turpentine) and a toothbrush. Ribbons eventually run out of ink, but they can be re-inked. Just paint the ink on them with a brush (as you unroll them, not all at once). Or get new ribbons, of course. They are not as widely available as they once were.
posted by grizzled at 2:04 PM on July 12, 2010 [2 favorites]

Do you mean onion skin paper?
posted by otherwordlyglow at 2:25 PM on July 12, 2010

Response by poster: Thanks to Sara C and grizzled, I'm marking both of your answers as best answer, since they are both very helpful to me (not because I'm trying to be fair lol).

otherworldlyglow: I wasn't particularly asking about onion skin paper, although it was in the back of my mind--it might be nice for sending letters (especially internationally) but I'm looking more for decent quality paper for daily typing. Thanks!
posted by 1000monkeys at 2:31 PM on July 12, 2010

Yeah, when someone says typing paper, something in the 14 pound range comes to mind. Standard xerographic paper was made thicker so it wouldn't jam in the printer. Beyond that, "nice" paper is "nice" paper.
posted by gjc at 3:09 PM on July 12, 2010