Paper is a material you meet with your hand as well as your eye. A sheet that works beautifully with pencil might be less comfortable with a wet pen. A thick page may still let ink spread. Start with the tool and the task, then pay attention to the sheet.
Weight tells only part of the story
Grams per square metre describes mass per area. It is useful for comparing papers, but it does not directly tell you thickness, surface finish or how ink will behave. Two sheets with the same listed weight can feel quite different.
If possible, handle a sample. Bend it gently, turn it towards a light, and feel the surface. Notice whether you want a flexible page for a pocket book or a firmer sheet for a loose note.
Match the surface to the mark
A little texture can give a pencil a pleasing grip. A smoother finish can make a fine pen feel more continuous. These are starting points, not guarantees: the particular paper and tool still matter.
Test with the pen or pencil you normally use. Write a short line, draw a small filled square and try a light stroke. Let ink dry, then turn the sheet over. Look for show-through, spreading at the edges and ink that reaches the reverse.
Look at colour and contrast
Cream paper gives a page a different character from bright white. Some people prefer its gentler appearance; others want more contrast for small writing or diagrams. Compare the same mark on both under the light where you work.
Printed ruling also changes the experience. Faint dots can guide a diagram without dominating it. Clear lines may be more useful for dense notes. A blank sheet leaves every placement to you.
Try a little before buying a lot
Use a few pages before committing to a large supply. A small pad, a sample sheet or a notebook you already own is enough for a useful comparison. Keep a note of the tool and paper together so you can repeat a combination that works.
Choose what makes the task comfortable. The most expensive paper is not automatically the best paper for a shopping list, a rough sketch or a letter.