'They' changed my lined paper. Recommendation needed

November 20, 2018 10:19 AM

For years and years I have kept work notes on pads of lined paper. These are supplied to me by the office, I don't purchase them myself. The past few months, something has changed with the quality of the...adhesive isn't quite the right word, but the rubbery stuff at the top that holds the papers together. Now, when I fold pages back to get to the next page, the used pages fall off after a few days. This never used to happen. I've tried both office provided options available to me yellow pads and white pads (all from a big box stationary / office supply place), and they both have this fault.

I'm having to keep loose paper in order, and my 'system' has been messed up. I am looking for a recommendation for pads of lined paper, standard 8 1/4" x11 "size that hold the paper together, even when pages are folded back. I am not interested in moving to a spiral bound book. I just want to keep to the system that has worked for me in the past, and am happy to pay out of pocket. Needs to be buy-able / order-able in Canada. Thanks in advance.

posted by walkinginsunshine to Shopping (9 answers total)

Would something like a "legal pad" work for you? These have an extra covering over the adhesive, and I believe they're stapled at the top, so the sheets don't come off easily. They're perforated for when you do want to remove them.

(Not sure about availability in Canada from this particular source, but this might give you a better search term.)
posted by hydra77 at 10:33 AM on November 20, 2018

Look for pads where the sheets aren't just held by an adhesive at one end, but where the ends are secured by staples and the sheets are torn off at perforations. The sheets will fold back and stay there unless you take the positive step of tearing off at the perforations.

There are millions of brands of these. Here's one.
posted by JimN2TAW at 10:34 AM on November 20, 2018 [1 favorite]

I just throw a binder clip on the top of our sub-par notepads that do this. Keeps things together plus gives me a place to attach loose notes and my pen.
posted by msbutah at 10:46 AM on November 20, 2018 [9 favorites]

I find this happens when they get old or maybe they got a bad shipment. A clip serves well, even a clipboard.
posted by theora55 at 10:51 AM on November 20, 2018

Do any of your old (satisfactory) pads have an identifying brand or even stock number? Maybe that would help with the supplier.

If you do end up having to buy your own, Rhodia/Clairefontaine are the gold standard, though spendy. They're international standard size, so are hilariously difficult to fit on Canadian "standard" shelves.
posted by scruss at 10:58 AM on November 20, 2018

You can make your own! This way you control the quality of the adhesive stuff, quality and weight of the paper, size of the pads, and the amount that gets put on. I've done this at past office jobs during green initiatives, using scrap paper. It's really easy, but not super convenient. I never had a problem with the rubbery stuff not holding.
posted by Syllables at 11:19 AM on November 20, 2018 [2 favorites]

I've had good luck with Mead Cambridge pads -- they are perforated at the top, but seem to hold together for months if not years of regular use.
posted by LeeLanded at 12:06 PM on November 20, 2018

I ran the mail room and copy center for a non-profit and we made these pads all the time. You just need paper, padding glue (ours came in big plastic jars), and something heavy or firm to hold the paper in place while the glue dries.

You could add more glue to the pads your work is providing or you could just make your own pads. It is really easy to do.
posted by tacodave at 3:45 PM on November 20, 2018

I would get the adhesive, as Syllables suggested and reinforce the office pads that you already have.

Aside: my father used that adhesive to make a pad of dollar bills to give to his youngest grandson once.
posted by SLC Mom at 10:41 AM on November 22, 2018