inexpensive paper in a "pad"

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hi

i am running low on my large sheets of cheap paper that i use for everything from paper negatives
to cyanotypes. i have gone to the local art supply stores looking for an inexpensive paper that isn't buffered
and came up empty.

does anyone have any suggestions for an inexpensive paper that might be in 18x24 sheets that isn't thick
like cold pressed water color paper and unbuffered?

i can't really afford 2-4$ / sheet

thanks in advance for your help/suggestions -

john
 

Newt_on_Swings

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You can try finding deals online, I know sometimes arts and craft stores such as michaels have random 25% off sales. Try retailmenot and slickdeals for online coupons and deals. Also if you have a student ID many stores have a discount, like 10% off. Pearl paint, Utrecht and dickblick have this.

Also maybe putting up a flyer at a nearby university or college to buy partially used paper. Lots of students don't use up supplies and end up tossing them after the term if they decide to go into another field.

Or you can make your own and press it. Screen material is cheap, 4 pieces of wood for a frame, and bricks or books for the press. You can get the raw materials from old paper scraps.
 

Loris Medici

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Not sold in pads to my knowing, but you may wish to try Masa paper. It's a very thin (but very robust regarding its weight) paper that works well (= no problems + great density) with all the iron processes. (Cyanotypes, Vandykes, Argyrotypes, Kallitypes, Pt/Pd...) See this for instance. (USD 1.28 per 21x31" sheet... Actually, when I first purchased this paper a couple of years ago, it was only USD 0.75 per 21x31" sheet - anyway, it still has a very very good price; 1.28 / 4 = USD 0.32 per 10.5x15.5"...)
 
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hi loris, newt on swings, and george

thanks for your suggestions !

i found a 100sheet pad of some sort of inexpensive paper ( 10¢/sheet i think )
i will test it soon to see how it holds up .. its not thick, its not thin, its kind of "meh" ...
i also got an ID on the inexpensive paper i have been using
no one was able to ID it for where i bought the paper ( pad ) so
i trucked down to the RISD store and the woman there knew the paper
and had used it before ... it's BUTCHER PAPER ...
she said it kind of has a waxy feel to it ( i just thought it was cheap and "glossy" but what do i know )

i was told i can get it at big box stores so we'll see ...
i haven't ever had trouble with it so when the time comes, i look forward to getting some more -

thanks again!
- john
 

Newt_on_Swings

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I am glad everything turned out well and you discovered what your paper was! Is this is same type of paper that you see on deli counters? that they wrap your sandwich in? if it is then that stuff is really cheap by the roll! what a deal!

 
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