Nathaniel Fried
Anyone who has ever had to look through their office or bag for a piece of paper when a great conversation or thought knows the importance of having a notebook. That’s where a moleskine leather notebook comes in handy. It’s always there and is waiting for your next big idea.
When it comes to picking out the right journal for you, you’ll be surprised how many choices are out there. Extra large sizes are slightly bigger than A5 while the large sizes are slightly smaller. Keep reading to find out what makes a great notebook so that you can find it once you’re out shopping!
Note Book Sizes
Moleskine leather notebooks come in all shapes and sizes. There are many standard/common sizes (such as B6/A4), but there are some slight variations on the sizes. Then there are some brands like Moleskine that have a custom sizing.
Note books are sized with a letter (A or B) and a number from 4-7. Here’s a rule of thumb, the higher the number, the smaller the notebook. So if you wanted a large notebook, select an A4 or B5 notebook. But for a smaller notebook, go for an A7 or B6.
Paper Weight (GSM)
GSM (grams per meter squared) refers to the paper’s thickness. Larger paper is considered higher quality paper, and have less “show through” if you’re writing with a fountain pen. So make sure you get the moleskine leather notebook whose GSM suits your preferences.
Page Rulings and Layouts
Notebooks come in a myriad of rulings. Increasingly, we’re starting to see notebooks have multiple rulings – some blank and some ruled for example. The main ruling will always be in your product description, title, or specifications.
Line ruled notebooks are the most standard type. The standard ruling is at 7mm, used by most stationary designers (like Rhodia). Moleskine notebooks have a 6mm ruling. Exercise books tend to be wider at 8mm.
As for layouts notebooks come in plain, grid, and dot grid. There are even some specialist layouts like the French ruled notebooks (seyes), so make sure you know what layout you want before making buying one!
Acid Free & Recycled Stocks
Most notebook paper is bleached white. Also, bleached paper can become acid-free for the longevity of drawing and writing. Acid-free paper is ideal for notebooks and pages you’ll want to keep such as a diary or journal.
Recycled paper is uncoated papers that are partially or fully comprised of recycled paper. Recycled paper is considered to be more environmentally friendly and can tend to have more character. However, it doesn’t perform well as bleached papers when using certain pens like fountain pens.
Conclusion
When searching for a moleskine leather notebook, try to find out which one is best for you. Need to write notes for a business meeting? Then try an A4 notebook. Want a pocket-sized notebook to take with you while traveling? Get an A7. No matter which one you choose you’ll have a leather notebook ready to store all of your thoughts and ideas in one safe place.
