Hello Ruz, 

Finding interesting paper to write and type on is an aspect of the hobby I really like. Looking on my papers shelf I have at least 30+ different varieties with various manufacturers labels on them. The fountain pen community has a paper characteristic they call “fountain pen friendly.”

A number of the Japanese mills make some interesting papers. Some of the mills here in the USA like to call the nicer papers “fine.” I like to use paper that is at least 25 percent cotton. I have also found if the paper is too heavy or thick it doesn’t always feed well in my typewriters. In all my older machines I use some kind of a backing sheet for typing. This is particularly necessary for thin, onionskin papers. I have also used handmade paper to type on. I think if it feeds well it’s worth trying to type on it. I also use an IBM Wheelwriter 10 that uses a correctable typewriter ribbon. The correction involves a separate lift-off ribbon. On most smooth papers it will completely remove the ink but on paper with more texture it leaves a little ghosting and won’t fully erase. 

One of my typewriter pals does as @skywatcher suggests and frequents thrift, charity and antique shop looking for “boxed” stationery sets. 

The only time I load plain printer/copier paper is when I get a grandkid with an interest to try typing.

Did I mention I love paper?

George

I prefer the off-white, ivory, cream colors in papers. The onionskin papers I have are I suppose white and very non-bright. I don't know why brighter and brighter white printer paper became a thing? Perhaps color shows up somewhat better with it.

I have some tried both blue and purple ribbons. For most of my typing I just use black or black/red ribbons. Obviously it's just what ever we each find appealing. In my various and assorted pens though only one has black ink. My favorite fountain pen ink is Bungubox Piano Mahogany. If the ribbon sellers would produce that color I think I'd put it in most of my typewriters. As it is the closest I've found is sometimes I've been lucky enough to get a black/red ribbon where the red has bled into the black. I have suggested the color to the ribbon sellers but so far no one has made the ribbon on purpose.

George

Hi Again Ruz

Interestingly enough, I was thinking about Joe Van Cleave and his affection towards newsprint paper when I was writing my reply. If you can get Crayola products in Australia, see if you can find the Crayola brand Doodle Pad. The pad contains 60 sheets of 9" x 12" medium weight, off-white newsprint paper. Another option is if you have stores like Dollar-Tree or Dollarama or other low cost stores like that, they will often sell less expensive copy/print paper which isn't as bright as some printer paper. I like the 87 bright paper for general note taking on typewriters.

What kind of writer you are may also have an influence on the weight of paper you prefer. The standard 20 pound (75g/m²) paper limits you to 5 pages in an envelope to stay under the 30 gramme threshold for a postage stamp. I was given some 9½ pound (36g/m²) typing paper a few years ago, 13 pages in a home made #9 envelope still comes in under 30 grammes. One of my favourite airmail papers was Elco brand Atlantic Clipper in pale green, but it's no longer made.

Words like Color, Valor and Honor are like a U-2 song, they can be spelled 'With or Without U'. If you are English, it's Colour, if you are American, it's Color, and if you are Canadian, either seems to be acceptable.

As for coloured ribbons, I enjoy a selection of different colours. Green and Brown are probably my favourites with blue and purple not far behind. Brown type on bright white paper is easier on the eyes than black type on the same paper, but black type looks great on cream, ivory or even green paper. Hope this gives you some food for thought.

At our previous home, I made wooden window frames for shoji screens with washi paper.  The decor of our previous home was modern-Japanese.

I ended up buying many rolls of washi...as I replaced the paper every year or two in the Spring...as is done in Japan.

I will cut up some of the rolled washi into typewriter-sized sheets and place them in a big heavy book to flatten them out as they are rolled in Japan.

It makes for interesting typing paper.  You can still see the fibers of the mullberry wood-pulp used to make the washi paper.
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