No. 9: Paper Choices
My preferred papers and sizes from years of journaling
What’s in a notebook? As I enter my ninth year of journaling, I’ve realized that so many aspects of a notebook define your experience. Of course the paper itself has a lot to do with it, but it’s also about the size of the notebook and how it fits in your hands, your everyday bag, your travel backpack or luggage. And as amazing as the paper quality might be, if it doesn’t scratch the writing itch perfectly with your favorite pen - which, be it a ballpoint, pencil, gel or fountain pen, is an intensely personal choice - then it’s probably not going to be your favorite.
I’ve used a number of different papers and layouts through my analogue journey. After experimenting with various planners and journals, I’ve landed on a few favorites of my own. These notebooks are not only familiar to me, but they also have housed countless memories, notes and thoughts. Here are my three go-to combinations that I reach for on a regular basis.
PLOTTER DP Paper - Dot Grid (Bible/Personal Size)
Whenever I need to add something to my personal planner, this dot grid tearaway notebook is a reliable companion. The dots are presented in a light gray color, providing clear guidelines while being subtle on the eyes. The slightly larger dots on the edges and the center give you an easy way to split the page in half or quadrants.
I’ve used this paper for lists, ideas, all kinds of things. Because of the way the sheets are glued together, I can write directly onto the sheet and tear the edge afterwards, or vice versa - sometimes it’s easier to separate the individual sheet first, place it where I want to in the ring binder, and then write. The key here is flexibility, and there’s plenty of it with this refill.
The dot grid refill, like a majority of other PLOTTER branded refills, is made of DP paper, which stands for “Designphil Pocketbook paper” and is an originally formulated paper from the parent company Designphil. It’s cream-colored, which I prefer for everyday writing. It takes fountain pen ink wonderfully, too - so much so that I’ve swatched my ink samples onto the panel layout refill, made of the same DP paper.
The bible size, equivalent to personal size, is already well-known in the planning community for its versatility and portability - it’s a great option for keeping on my desk or tossing into a medium-sized bag of my choice. As long as the PLOTTER bible size remains my personal planner, the dot grid paper will tag along for the ride.
Midori MD Paper - Blank (TN Regular Size)
If you’re at all familiar with my analogue journey, it probably is no surprise to you that Midori MD paper is a favorite. I was introduced to this paper from using traveler’s notebooks (TNs) and quickly fell in love with its slightly toothier feel. MD paper took all the media I use beautifully - fountain pen ink, watercolors, brush and gel pens.
As previously mentioned, I find cream-colored paper to be easier on my eyes for everyday use. The case with MD paper is no different - I’ve used the A6, A5, and the matching TN sizes in both white and cream colors, but I still enjoy the cream paper more. Case in point: when picking a short trip refill (a standard, blank refill with half the number of pages as the original refill), I always pick the one with cream MD paper.
In terms of the paper size, I’m partial to the larger TN regular size for a couple of reasons. It’s a perfect fit for brochures, for one, which makes travel journaling and keeping ephemera inside quite convenient. It has the length of an A5 page that provides plenty of room for writing, while the narrower width helps with portability. When I want to capture something wider, I’ve also turned the notebook around to use it in a horizontal orientation.
It’s by far my favorite paper size to travel with, remaining true to its namesake. I’ve completed a number of TN regular size refills made with Midori MD paper, and I appreciate how easily available they are so that I can keep them well-stocked in my stationery cart for future use.
Tomoe River Paper - Grid (B6 Slim Size)
Last but not least, there’s the classic Tomoe River Paper, affectionately shortened to TRP within the stationery community. Well-known for its thinness and ability to showcase fountain pen ink properties well, it’s a favorite among many - and you can count me in that group.
I got to try TRP when I bought my first Hobonichi in early 2017 and was mystified (in the best way possible) as to how this paper was able to take stamp ink, and even watercolors in addition to fountain pen ink. The signature crinkly noises the paper makes when you flip through full pages is yet another charm of it.
As much as I liked the sizes Hobonichi offered (A6, A5, and the Weeks among them), what really clicked with me was the B6 slim size from Nanami Paper called the Cafe Note.
The Cafe Note B6 is a simple, no-nonsense notebook with grid pages from beginning to end. It’s customizable because of its openness - I’ve read about how people use these books as their bullet journals, for example. The B6 slim size is, in my opinion, the perfect in-between answer to the “A6 vs. A5” dilemma, where you have more space than the A6 but can still carry it with you on the go more easily than the A5.
I’ve been using this notebook as a commonplace book to gather inspiration and take notes on articles or books I consume. It’s the place where I finally unloaded all of the tutorials I bookmarked and never revisited again on my phone. The generous number of pages in this Cafe Note means when this book is finished, it will be full of knowledge I’ve taken in over time - something I can look through and surely be able to find a gem in.
I have several extras of the Cafe Notes with the Tomoegawa TRP1, which I’m certain will last me a very long time. As silly as it may sound, there’s a sense of security in knowing that I have a dependable stack of notebooks with plenty of pages in each one.
When I fell headfirst into creative journaling, I had little idea of how many papers there would be, let alone the different sizes of papers. I’ve been lucky to not only have easy access to these excellent notebooks online, but also have the means to afford them. I’m by no means saying that you must try the papers I shared here - merely that they have elevated my writing experience, and that should you have the chance to try any of them in your life, to please do so.
Honorable Mentions
Other papers I’ve enjoyed writing on include Nolty’s proprietary version, which I’ve used as a language journal before to keep my Korean going. Although I took a pause on doing so because of the time commitment, it was a fun exercise in practicing my mother tongue to tell daily stories.
Kokuyo’s Jibun Techo Biz paper was also a great choice for work. Combined with its A5 slim size and a relatively thin profile, it had its own place in my work bag during the days of my city commute.
Another interesting brand to note is Yamamoto Paper - they produce their own bank paper and sell paper bundles so that you can try all different kinds to figure out what really works for you. Labeled as Paper Tasting, these packs are an amazing option for anyone looking to explore the world of paper.
A repeated theme in this post is that again, the choices of writing instruments and papers are very personal. You may have read this post and thought, “none of what was talked about here applies to me”, or you likely have your own favorite that cannot be dethroned by anything else. But that’s precisely what I love about the stationery world - there really is something for everyone, and what works for someone else might be completely different from what you would have picked. We can learn from each other’s choices, discover new things, and keep expanding what we know and enjoy about this corner of ours.
I, for one, am looking forward to trying even more types of paper through my continued writing journey. Feel free to let me know your favorite papers and notebook sizes, what you house in them, how you hold them dear. There’s always more space for analogue stories.
I love learning about what stationary, pens, inks etc other people use. It's such a personal choice and full of character! 💖