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On The Paper Trail...: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Joe and Lisa
Join Joe Crace and Lisa Vanness each episode as they dive into the world of pens, inks, paper, and everything that makes analog a more thoughtful, meaningful experience. Between Joe’s decade-plus of experience running The Gentleman Stationer, and Lisa’s history navigating the retail pen and ink industry “behind the counter” at Vanness Pens, the series blends personal reflection with practical insight into the daily realities of the stationery industry. Expect honest, approachable conversations on topics ranging from journaling to collecting to personal stories from stationery travel!
Latest Episodes
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- 3 days ago47 min
Episode 19: Pen, Paper, & Ink Problems (Terminology Part 2)
This week we discuss Pen, Paper, & Ink Problems, and the different terms commonly used in the stationery world to describe these issues. We specifically focus on problems with ink flow in fountain pens such as skipping, hard-starting, and railroading, as well as paper bleed through and show through. We also recap our recent "On The Paper Trail Live in Nashville Event". A huge thanks to all of you who turned out, and it was wonderful to see so many faces in person! While we make every effort to be descriptive for our audio-only listeners, you may wish to view the companion YouTube channel as well. Show Notes and LinksOn The Paper Trail Live in Nashville RecapPilot Juice Up Fountain Pen Kaweco Lunar Sport RollerballsPilot Grance Fountain PenMidori Color SpiralTWSBI ECO Jade Jelly + Bronze Fountain PenKaweco Lunar Sport Fountain PensTRAVELER'S Company 2027 Dated RefillsMidori Planner TabsTri-Star Studio Custom Fountain Pens
- 2 weeks ago41 min
Episode 18: Fountain Pen Terminology
Do you ever feel lost talking about fountain pens? Whether you're brand new to this hobby, or are a seasoned user who's simply never explored topics such as pen repair and nib customization, it's easy to get overwhelmed by all the different terms and expressions people use. For this episode we thought it would be fun to talk through the different parts of the pen and a basic overview of how a fountain pen functions. Future episodes will revisit terminology and discuss things like pen problems, nib modifications, and more! We also share some last-minute details on the On The Paper Trail Live event coming up this weekend in Nashville. Please note that in this episode, we walk through the parts of a fountain pen and a fountain pen nib. While we have done our best to describe everything for audio listeners, we strongly encourage you to watch the video as well if you would like a visual demonstration. Show Notes and LinksOn The Paper Trail Live in Nashville - Advance Tickets RequiredLeonardo Momento Zero PuraseY Fountain PenPenultimate InksGentleman Stationer Store Hours and LocationVanness Pens Store Hours and Location (Fort Smith Location Opening for Fountain Pen Day!)Get caught up on previous episodes, and find more information on the main podcast informational page.
- Sep 30, 202641 min
Episode 17: Journaling for Mental Health (Part II)
Episode 17 continues our discussion on Journaling for Mental Health! September is National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness month, so for these two most recent episodes we have been discussing a topic important to both of us: journaling for mental health and self-care. Part II dives into less traditional journaling techniques that we have both experimented with in the past, including creative practices such as doodling and ink swatching, quote collecting, handwriting practice, sticker journaling, and more. Disclaimer: Our discussion here is highly personal and specific to us and our own individual situations. Journaling is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment. If you need help, or feel that you need to talk to someone, we strongly encourage you to speak with a mental health treatment professional. Show Notes and LinksNational Suicide Prevention MonthOn The Paper Trail Live in Nashville (October 16-18)New Gentleman Stationer StorefrontT.G.S. x Tono & Lims Exclusive InksPilot Frixion WaaiPilot Custom 845 Vermillion Urushi Fountain PenLamy 2000 Fountain PenPilot Juice UpDavinci Raymay 6-Ring RefillsWearingeul Thumbelina InkLisa's New StickersKaleidocraft PrintsGet caught up on previous episodes, and find more information on the main podcast informational page.
- Sep 15, 202652 min
Episode 16: Journaling for Mental Health (Part I)
September is National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness Month, so for Episode 16 we decided to talk about a topic that's close to both of us: Journaling for mental health and techniques we both find helpful for self care. Part I discusses our own techniques, and Part II will discuss additional journaling techniques that we may not use all the time but have tried in the past and break out periodically. Of course, we also make time to discuss the recent San Francisco Pen Show, new shop arrivals, and upcoming events!Disclaimer: Our discussion here is highly personal and specific to us and our own individual situations. Journaling is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment. If you need help, or feel that you need to talk to someone, we strongly encourage you to speak with a mental health professional. Show Notes and LinksNational Suicide Prevention MonthPilot S20 BallpointKuru Toga Wood Mechanical PencilMark'Style Tous Les Jours Ballpoint PenMidori PlannersVinta InkPennoniaRoterfaden RestockSchon DSGN Lil' DipperArt of Creation Panel DiscussionDallas Pen ShowOn The Paper Trail Live in NashvilleGet caught up on previous episodes, and find more information on the main podcast informational page.
- Aug 31, 202658 min
Episode 15: The Art of Creation (Live Panel from the 2026 San Francisco Pen Show)
Join Joe and Lisa as they co-host "The Art of Creation," a panel discussion at the 2026 San Francisco Pen Show featuring a discussion with three independent makers in the stationery industry. We had the opportunity to ask our guests about their creative process, followed by an audience question and answer session. Please note that this was a live panel recording, and the audio may be uneven in parts. We have attempted to optimize it as best we can. If you would like to view the video of the panel session, you can find it at the On The Paper Trail YouTube Channel. Show Notes and Links to Guest ProfilesIan Schon of Schon DSGN, a manufacturing company based in Philadelphia making fountain and ballpoint pens. Schon DSGN pens each have a unique look and feel, some pens being heavier made out of brass or copper and others from super lightweight Engineered Plastics or Anodized Aluminum. Iris Au of Glassophy, which aims to express its ideas through the art of glass lampworking. Glass lampworking is a technique that uses heat exceeding 1000 degrees Celsius to soften glass into suitable shapes, allowing for various shaping techniques such as dotting and scribing, combined with other precious materials like gold, Silver, and artificial opal.Daryl Lim, Founder of Atelier Musubi, Singapore-based maker of small goods and specialty notebooks.Get caught up on previous episodes, and find more information on the main podcast informational page.
- Aug 19, 202646 min
Episode 14: Favorite Fountain Pen and Ink Combinations
Do you ever feel that some fountain pen and ink combinations work especially well together? Have you found that switching inks can make a pen write better? Today we talk about how to pair fountain pens and inks to optimize your writing experience. We each go through three of our favorite pen and ink combinations, and discuss why we like specific inks in specific fountain pens. While we try to describe everything in as much detail as possible in the show audio, those who wish to view products in real time should check out the video stream or see the show notes and links for additional information.Podcast Video StreamShow Notes and LinksJoe's DC Pen Show RecapVanness Hummingbird Green Ink Platinum Classic Fountain Pen InkGalen Leather Legacy CollectionLeonardo Momento Zero Pura Fountain PenLeonardo Momento Magico Fantasy SeriesLamy x Uni Kuru Toga Inside Mechanical PencilsOnionBrand Leather Notebook CoversPilot Iroshizuku InkJoe's Inks from JapanTWSBI ECO Bahama YellowKyo-no-Oto InkCallifolio InkSan Francisco Pen ShowDallas Pen ShowOn The Paper Trail Live in Nashville
- Jul 29, 202646 min
Episode 13: Permanent Inks for Our First Ink Episode!
Our first fountain pen ink episode, where we discuss permanent inks! In this episode you'll learn about document inks, pigment inks, and iron gall inks, including relative waterproofness and lightfastness, pen care, and more. Fountain pen ink is a huge topic, so expect more ink-related episodes as we break things down into manageable chunks. While we try to describe everything in as much detail as possible in the show audio, those who wish to view products in real time should check out the video stream or see the show notes and links for additional information.Podcast Video StreamShow Notes and LinksSunderland MK1: Roterfaden TGS_25Lochby Mini Pocket JournalJoe's 10 Fountain Pen PostCustom Nib StudioPilot Grance Fountain PenKaweco Pearlescent Green PerkeoGalen Leather A4 FolioDocument InksKakimori Pigmented InksDiamine Forever InksPlatinum Pigment InksPlatinum Iron Gall InksKWZ Iron Gall InkDiamine Registrar's Ink (Iron Gall)Results of Our Water Test
- Jul 15, 202640 min
Episode 12: Our Favorite Papers!
With a podcast called "On The Paper Trail," it was only a matter of time before we talked about our favorite papers and how we use them! In this episode, we discuss paper rulings, spacing, texture, bindings, and other factors that affect how we select which paper we use every day. This week's customer questions address understandably confusing paper-related topics such as the meaning of a "lie flat" notebook and the differences between international paper sizes and the less exact sizing standards used by U.S. manufacturers over the years. While we try to describe everything in as much detail as possible in the show audio, those who wish to view products in real time should check out the video stream or see the show notes and links for additional information. Podcast Video StreamShow Notes and LinksPilot Kakuno (Lisa's Pen)Pilot Iroshizuku Ku Jaku (Lisa's Ink)TWSBI ECO Rootbeer Fountain Pen (Joe's Pen)Pilot Custom Heritage 92 (Joe's Pen)Joe's Japan Ink Recap Post (For Photos of the Inks Being Discussed)Kobe Nagasawa Inks Kakimori A5 NotebooksKakimori PensKakimori Inkstand InksMidori MD Cotton PaperNakabayashi Logical Prime PaperMaruman BasicsMaruman Mnemosyne Hardcover Hierarchies of Fountain Pen Friendly Paper (T.G.S. Paper Resource)On the Paper Trail Live in Nashville Event Page
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About On The Paper Trail...
Join Joe Crace and Lisa Vanness each episode as they dive into the world of pens, inks, paper, and everything that makes analog a more thoughtful, meaningful experience. Between Joe’s decade-plus of experience running The Gentleman Stationer, and Lisa’s history navigating the retail pen and ink industry “behind the counter” at Vanness Pens, the series blends personal reflection with practical insight into the daily realities of the stationery industry. Expect honest, approachable conversations on topics ranging from journaling to collecting to personal stories from stationery travel!
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