****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I ran out of both my Copic X-Press Blend it paper and the Neenah solar white 80lb card stock on my last paper purchase. I knew I loved the Copic paper, so trying the Neenah was not only a cheaper option, but if I liked it I had 250 sheets vs my 125 sheets from Copic. After running out of those two...and they were both able to do the job I wanted, to use in card making (not for card bases). I did find the Neenah to be quite yellowing compared to the Copic paper, so when I heard other card makers trying this paper...I thought it only fair to give it a chance against my preferred Copic paper & Neenah paper.The first thing I noticed was that this is not marketed as cardstock, the second, that for the number of sheets this paper was almost a third of them will admit I've only gotten to hold, feel, and try my Copics on this Hammermill paper for a short time, as I haven't had it that long.I have attached some photos, with more examples to come with the Copic markers at work on all three of these papers. For now, I have four to share with you. The first shows how my paper came packaged and the shape it arrived it. The second photo shows the only tear...if you want to call it damage to my package...and that was a small slit of one of the creases in the ream packaging, with absolutely zero damage to the the paper inside!The third picture shows all three of the papers I mention in this review. Can you tell which is which? (Photograph was taken under an Ott-lite for the best comparison). For the third photo your choices are: Hammermill, Copic, Neenah. (Answers found at the very end). The fourth picture shows two papers. Can you tell which is the Hammermill and the other Copic?More comparisons and photos to follow, as I get use to this new paper more as well as my opinion of the overall paper for Copic marker use.1. Copic, Neenah, and Hammermill. 2.Hammermill, Copic------------------This is my update that I promised all. I have added one more photo that hopefully will be of interest to those that want to use this paper for Copic coloring use. Using Memento Tuxedo Black ink I stamped a small stamp on all three papers that I mentioned in my initial review: Copic X-Press It Blending Paper, Neenah 80lb white cardstock, and the Hammermill Color Copy Digital Cover 100lb paper. Using the same stamp and the same colors each of the penguins were colored as close as I possibly could. I do not claim to be a fantastic at Copic coloring but I thought it might be interesting to a few the colors I used. The penguin: N4, N2, N0. The beak & feet: Y17, Y15, Y13. The earmuffs: V09, V15...with the tip to tip technique to blend these colors not side by side in the Copic system.What are my thoughts about this Hammermill paper instead of the Copic paper or Neenah cardstock? I'm still in love with the Copic paper. For me it comes in #1 every time. It is very white, I love the weight, and the markers just glide across it! The Neenah is my second runner-up. The Hammermill comes in third.Both Neenah and the Hammermill are smooth. But if money was no option I'd pass on the Neenah simply because the paper tends to yellow. It also does not feel as smooth to me as the Copic. I have used the 80lb Neenah paper as I don't make my own card bases. But the 100lb Neenah is thicker than the Copic, and the 80lb Neenah is thinner. Because the Copic paper is not rated by lb, and instead by gsm, it's hard to know what it's weight is. Based on this amateurs` calculations the Copic comes out to be between 93 and 97 lb paper. To me, it's the perfect weight.The Hammermill is 100lb, but that isn't the first things that jumped out at me...and not doing this test side by side was essential to me remembering what it is like to color on each and what I loved and didn't love so well. Paper is a personal preference but I hope this helps someone. This Hammermill paper is smooth to the look and touch, but I could feel a good deal of friction when coloring. The paper seems to really suck the Ink from my marker...even with a small image like this. From top to bottom the penguins I colored are on: 1. Copic, 2. Neenah, 3. Hammermill. I don't think this is bad paper, and I fully intend to try and use my ream before replentishing my paper supply. Time will tell. I've heard people say this is a duplicate paper of the Copic. It is definitely not!If price is a concern, definitely try this. I still believe this is excellent paper for the cost. I also believe if you do cards, enjoy the Neenah! But if your entire works of art are done with Copics...invest in the Copic paper!
