120gsm vs 160gsm Journal Paper: Which Should You Choose?
If you’ve ever bought a journal that looked beautiful… then watched your ink ghost, feather, or bleed through the page, you already know: paper matters. One of the quickest ways to understand journal paper quality is GSM.
But here’s the thing: higher GSM isn’t automatically “better.” It’s about what you write with, how you journal, and what kind of writing experience you want.
Let’s make this easy.
What does “GSM” actually mean?
GSM = grams per square metre. It’s the weight of the paper, and it often correlates with thickness and opacity (how much show-through you see).
-120gsm is a premium “everyday” weight: sturdy, smooth, and versatile.
-160gsm is a heavier, art-friendly weight: thicker, more resistant to show-through, and extra forgiving with juicy inks.
Other things also matter (paper coating, fibre, finish), but GSM is a great starting point.
The quick answer
Choose 120gsm if you want:
-a lighter, more “book-like” journal feel
-crisp writing with most pens
-a great balance of quality + portability
-more flexibility for everyday planning, lists, and long-form journaling
Choose 160gsm if you want:
-maximum protection against ghosting (show-through)
-a plush, thick-page feel
-more confidence with fountain pens, brush pens, and heavier inks
-a journal that can handle creative pages and mixed media better
If you’re still unsure: your pen choice is the deciding factor (we’ll cover that next).
How each paper feels in real life
120gsm: the “do-it-all” paper
120gsm is ideal if you:
-write daily
-fill lots of pages
-use fineliners, gel pens, ballpoints, and most fountain pens
-want pages that turn easily and feel satisfying but not bulky
The vibe: smooth, clean, “premium notebook” energy—great for writing-heavy journaling and planning.
160gsm: the “extra calm” paper
160gsm is ideal if you:
-love bold ink and saturated colours
-use brush pens, wet fountain pens, or markers
-want minimal show-through even with darker inks
-want pages that feel substantial and luxurious
The vibe: thick, sturdy, “I can do anything on this page” confidence.
Pen + tool guide (this is where the choice becomes obvious)
If you mostly use:
Ballpoint / rollerball / gel pens
✅ 120gsm: excellent
✅ 160gsm: excellent (just thicker than necessary)
Fineliners (Micron-style), felt tips
✅ 120gsm: great
✅ 160gsm: extra clean, less show-through
Fountain pens (especially medium/broad nibs, wet inks)
✅ 160gsm: safest choice
✅ 120gsm: still great for many setups, especially finer nibs and drier inks
Brush pens / mild highlighters
✅ 160gsm: best for layering
⚠️ 120gsm: usually fine for light use; heavy layering may show
Markers / heavy blending
✅ 160gsm: far more forgiving
⚠️ 120gsm: depends on marker type; test first
Watercolour / very wet media
✅ 160gsm: more resilient
⚠️ 120gsm: light washes may be okay; heavy water will challenge most journal papers
Ghosting vs bleed-through (and why they’re not the same)
These two get mixed up a lot:
-Ghosting = you can see the writing from the back of the page, like a shadow.
-Bleed-through = ink actually soaks through, leaving marks or dots on the next page.
In general:
-160gsm reduces ghosting significantly and helps prevent bleed-through.
-120gsm typically has minimal ghosting with most pens, but very wet inks or heavy marker use may show more.
Who 120gsm is perfect for
Choose 120gsm if you’re:
-a writer (long entries, morning pages, story drafts)
-a practical planner (to-dos, schedules, notes)
-a student or professional who wants quality without “art-paper thickness”
-someone who wants a journal that feels substantial but still easy to carry
Best for: everyday journaling, planning, note-taking, reflection, memory keeping.
Who 160gsm is perfect for
Choose 160gsm if you’re:
-a fountain pen lover who enjoys wet inks and bold lines
-a bullet journaler who uses brush pens, stamps, or layered colour
-someone who hates even mild show-through
-a creative journaler (collage, doodles, decorative spreads)
Best for: bullet journaling, creative spreads, ink-heavy writing, art-adjacent journaling.
A simple “choose your paper” checklist
If you answer “yes” to two or more below, go 160gsm:
-Do I use fountain pens with medium/broad nibs?
-Do I layer brush pen colours or shading?
-Do I want near-zero ghosting?
-Do I use markers or very saturated inks?
-Do I decorate pages often?
If you answer “yes” to most of these, go 120gsm:
-Am I mostly writing (not decorating)?
-Do I want a lighter journal for everyday carry?
-Do I use gel pens / fineliners / ballpoint most days?
-Do I like pages that feel “book-like” and easy to turn?
What we offer at Tumbitri Meri
At Tumbitri Meri, both paper options are designed to feel like an upgrade: bright, clean pages with a smooth writing experience—the kind you’ll actually want to come back to.
If you’re a writer-first journaler, you’ll likely love the balance of 120gsm.
If you’re an ink and layout person (or you just want extra confidence), 160gsm is the cozy “yes, this will handle it” choice.
FAQs
Is 160gsm always better quality?
Not automatically. It’s different, not “better.” If you write a lot and want a journal that doesn’t feel bulky, 120gsm can be the better experience.
Will 120gsm work with fountain pens?
Often, yes—especially with finer nibs and drier inks. If you’re using wet inks or broad nibs, 160gsm is safer.
Does thicker paper mean fewer pages?
Sometimes, but journal design varies. Focus on how you use your journal day-to-day: writing volume, tools, and preferred feel.