So I have a bunch of copic markers, and I've been anticipating using them. But I wanted to get some paper that will help maximize their best features (blendability, smooth coverage with no marker streaks...) and so I did research on trying to find some economic alternative to the relatively expensive copic marker paper. I've been eyeing this Borden & Riley bleedproof paper for a while, and I've felt the texture of the paper, and thought it to be a really promising paper.

But I brought it home and tested it, and the blendability of the copics on it wasn't very good (correction: it didn't blend at all), and it wasn't as bleedproof as I'd expected it to be. In fact, I tried magazine paper, where the ink sits on the paper for a bit before it dries, and tried blending it there... No blendability. So either there is something wrong with my blender marker, or copics aren't what I thought they were to be.

Anyone have any suggestions on paper surfaces or tutorials on how to correctly use these darn expensive but promising markers???