I also thought, that when you use a store bought journal look out for hot pressed watercolor paper as oopsed to the rougher grade which does not like fine details pens etc .. I do not know what is available in your part of the world...but visiting local paper mills often lets you choose the type of paper that can be bound into a journal ..
I am lucky to live near one that carries a lot of seconds and misprints for a fraction of the original cost
