On The Paper Trail...

Joe and Lisa
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Hobbies
  • Twice monthly

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!

  1. 18 hr ago

    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 Profiles Ian 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.

  2. 19 Aug

    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 Stream Show Notes and Links Joe'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

  3. 29 Jul

    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 Stream Show Notes and Links Sunderland 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

  4. 15 Jul

    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 Stream Show Notes and Links Pilot 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

  5. 30 Jun

    Episode 11: Why Is My Fine Nib Not Actually a Fine?

    Have you ever written with two fountain pens of the same model and same nib size, only to notice subtle (or maybe not-so-subtle) differences in line width? As retailers, we get questions about this topic all the time, and have experienced this ourselves in our own personal collections, so we wanted to talk about why this happens and what you can do to help ensure you get the nib closest to your desired line width. We also talk a bit about upcoming pen shows and events, including the DC, San Francisco, and Dallas Pen Shows, as well as our own On The Paper Trail Live Event in Nashville! Show Notes and Links Pilot Custom 823 (Joe's Pen) Pilot 4+1 Wood Multi Pen (Joe's Pen)Nagasawa Odyssey Starseeker (Lisa's Pen)Savannah James Stickers (Lisa's Stickers)TGS Roterfaden RestockOnionBrand Notebooks TWSBI ECO Rootbeer Fountain PensCoffee StickersOpus 88 Cloud Dancer Fountain PenDC Pen ShowSF Pen ShowDallas Pen ShowOn The Paper Trail Live in Nashville

  6. 16 Jun

    Episode 10: We're Back from a Stationery Trip To Japan!

    Joe and Lisa are back from their recent stationery trip to Japan, and ready to discuss all of the things they discovered while they were there! Join us as we recap two weeks in Tokyo, Hamamatsu, Osaka, and more, including visits to stores like Itoya, Kakimori, TRAVELER'S Factory, Nagasawa, Loft, Hands, Kingdom Note, Toyooka Craft, and other favorites. Are we going back? You bet. Show Notes and Links Opus 88 Sapphire Demonstrator (Lisa’s Pen)Pilot Kakuno (Lisa’s Pen)Pilot Custom Heritage 92 (Joe’s Pen)Pilot Custom 845 Urushi (Joe’s Pen)New Arrivals From Galen LeatherTom’s Studio Ori HighlightersToyo Steel BoxesAnterique PensKakimori Make Your Own NotebookKakimori Make Your Own InkToyooka CraftJoe’s Japan Trip Blog Recap (Visits to Itoya, Ancora, TRAVELER'S Factory)Joe’s Japan Trip Blog Recap (Kakimori Notebook and Ink Bar)Joe’s Japan Trip Blog Recap (Ink Shopping in Tokyo)Joe’s Five Favorite Things He Brought Home from JapanGet caught up on previous episodes, and also find more information about our first On The Paper Trail Live Event, which will be held in Nashville from October 16-18, 2026! Tickets are now on sale! Check out the main podcast informational page for additional details.

  7. 13 May

    Episode 9: Fountain Pen Nib Sizes, Explained

    We're less than 10 days out from an epic trip to Japan, so in this week's episode, we decided to talk Japanese fountain pen nibs and the differences in nib size designations across different regions, as well as the availability of specialty grinds. We also discuss why Fine Medium is the ONLY appropriate nib size (j/k), and answer listener questions about choosing the correct combination of nib, ink, and paper for your specific writing experience. Don't miss your chance to come hang out with us in person October 16-18, at ⁠On the Paper Trail: Live in Nashville⁠! Event details have been made public, and ⁠Weekend Pass⁠ and ⁠Day Pass⁠ event tickets are now available to purchase. Dr. Grip Ballpoint (Lisa's Pen).⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Opus 88 Savannah Zebra (Lisa's Pen).⁠⁠⁠⁠Benu Pixie (Lisa's Pen).⁠⁠⁠⁠Pilot Custom 823 (Joe's Pen)⁠⁠.⁠⁠Laurett's Ballpoint (Joe's Pen)⁠⁠.⁠⁠Traveler's Company Ballpoint (Joe's Pen)⁠⁠.⁠⁠Pilot Metropolitan Fountain Pens⁠⁠.⁠⁠Lochby 6-Ring Binders.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Lochby Tomoe River 6-Ring Refills.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Tono & Lims New Arrivals.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠New Lamy Safaris.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Grandpa's Basement (Clearance).⁠⁠

  8. 29 Apr

    Episode 8: 2026 Planners and Notebooks Quarterly Review

    This week we check in with our 2026 planners and notebooks to see whether they're still working for us now that we're 1/4 of the way through the year. (Wait, how did that happen?) We talk about what's working with our current planners and notebook systems, what may not be working, and what, if anything, we need to change about our current stationery setup. We also discuss upcoming stationery-themed travel, and we might have more details on our On The Paper Trail: Live in Nashville Event that will take place in Nashville October 16-18! Show Notes and Links Mark's Inc. "Days" Ballpoint (via Vanness Pens). Diamine Spring Green (via Vanness Pens). Pilot Grancé (via Vanness Pens). Pilot Custom 912 with PO Nib (via TGS Curated Shop). Pilot Prera (via TGS Curated Shop). Bungubox Dandyism Ink (via Vanness Pens). On The Paper Trail Episode 1. Wonderland222 Back to Tomoe River Announcement. Ask TGS: Flying with Fountain Pens. Lisa's Shipping Update Video.

See All (15)

About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    Joe and Lisa
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Joe and Lisa
  • Show Website
    On The Paper Trail...

You Might Also Like