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Our notebook covers and gift sets feature G . F Smith Colorplan paper, manufactured in the Lake District. This collaboration is our homage to the exquisite paper-making process, showcasing how these premium papers journey from the landscape to your desk.
Obsessed with the beauty and possibility of paper, G . F Smith is the UK’s largest specialist paper company, and the dedicated supplier of creative papers to the creative industries. The company was founded in London in 1885 by globe-trotting stationery salesman George Frederick Smith. Over the following century, George’s paper merchants built a reputation for quality and service and became renowned as passionate pioneers of the paper industry. G . F Smith became a certified B Corp in June 2023.
Colorplan remains one of G . F Smith’s most extraordinary achievements in paper making.
Over the last 80 years, it has continually refined and evolved the range, which now spans 55 colours, 25 embossings and 10 weights – all made sustainably in Britain and available worldwide.

Understanding the roots of our notebooks brings us to the heart of the process:
The Paper Mill
You can find more information about G . F Smith’s commitment to paper and the environment here
How is the paper made?
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The paper machine
The paper is then piped to the paper machines. After going through a refining process, the 99% water and 1% fibre stock comes onto the paper machine. It flows through onto the 'wire' which is a moving mesh conveyor belt. The water is then drained through the mesh using gravity and vacuums. This leaves a mat of fibres on the top of the wire.
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Paper making
At the end of the wire section, the wet sheet is cut into the required width using small jets. The sheet is then fed into the press section where water is squeezed out by heavy rolls. The paper passes into a drying section, then through rolls to control surface smoothness. At this point the paper contains around 7% water.

The Embossing and Debossing

At G . F Smith's headquarters in Hull, paper embossing is done using a mix of Victorian-era machines and modern technology. One of the original embossing machines, an impressive relic from the company's early days, still operates on the ground floor/ A highlight of the enduring legacy of traditional craftsmanship.
The embossed texture comes from heavy metal rollers, which can produce many different embossed effects. We incorporate these techniques into our notebook covers and gift boxes, providing a luxurious and tactile experience.
Each of our notebooks feature a unique emboss. Some examples can be seen below.

From pulp to pages
Once the paper is made, the parts are put together by a family run book bindery in Buckinghamshire. They bind and print the notebooks with veggie inks. This seamless journey from responsible sourcing to the final product underscores the unparalleled quality and craftsmanship of G . F Smith paper.
Choose from dot grid, plain or ruled paper inside our notebooks.

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Designing our notebook collection
Step into our blog and discover the process of the design of our notebooks.