Six notebooks make up the collection. All are A5 in size and have 236 dot grid or ruled pages. As much as I wanted to launch with plain and graph pages, too, I had to set some boundaries. So we're starting out with our most popular sheets, but plan to launch the others later on.
This first run is a limited edition and there will be just 100 notebooks of each design variation. Each notebook is numbered by hand on the back page.
The notebook begins with a simple printed bookplate for dedicating to your pal, or putting your reward and contact information. We've all got to do our bit to help lost notebooks find their way back home.
Two contents pages and numbered pages throughout allow for easy navigation. As you move through the notebook, the page numbers gradually change colour, taking you through the spectrum. This was the most time consuming part of the design process but definitely the most satisfying to see printed up.
Time to get geeky. If you've been following the design journey over on Instagram, you'll know that I've been searching for a resilient inner paper stock.
I've chosen a 100gsm, smooth, ink friendly paper stock with minimal show through. It's suitable for use with fountain pens, highlighters, ballpoints, rollerballs, coloured and graphite pencils, plus brush and ink pens, too.
What about markers? It's annoying when your marker shows or bleeds through to the other side of the paper. I've specifically opted for a paper which is fantastic for using with markers. I've tested my Tombows (Dual Brush, Twin Tone, Fudenosuke), Faber-Castell Pitt, Pentel Sign and Brush Pens, 20+ black brush pens and various drawing pens. I'm able to use both sides of every sheet. But, a warning, there will be very noticeable show through with tougher, alcohol based markers like the Windsor and Newton Promarker, because this isn't heavy sketchbook paper.
Choosing the binding was a no brainer. Lay flat binding means the notebook opens without forcing the spine. This method backlines the inner pages within the spine and the cover is bound on with front and rear hinges only, leaving the inner section free to move with ease. It's like casebound binding (you know the kind used in hardback books?) but for paperbacks.
So that's the inside of our first notebook. If you've just found this page and missed Part One of the tour, be sure to check it out here. If you'd like to buy a notebook for yourself, head here.
