How to choose the best notebook for Bullet Journaling
Start with your budget: How much can you justify spending? We stock notebooks ranging from £6.95 to £30+
Ruling: Lined, squared, dot-grid or plain. Dot grid is the most popular choice as it allows for a mixture of writing, doodling and tables with the dots acting as a guide.
Number of pages: do you want to fit a whole year in one notebook or are you happy to work your way through two or three, simply starting a new one when each one is full?
Paper size: A5 is by far the most popular size but if you want to carry your journal with you (and have small handwriting) there are many smaller options. If it is going to sit on your desk then B5 or even A4 will give you more space.
Paper weight: GSM or grams per square metre, refers to the thickness of the paper. The thicker the paper, the less likely your are to suffer from bleeding or ghosting. Bleeding is when the ink seeps through to the other side. Ghosting is when you can see your writing through the page. Thicker paper is not always better. It depends what sort of pens or other media you plan to use in your journal. If you want to use paints and alcohol markers, you need to look for a sketchbook with a high GSM but if you want to use a fountain pen, the smoothness of the paper is going to be more of a priority.
Do you need, or would you prefer not to have additonal features: pen loop, back pocket, bookmark(s), elasticated closure, Index, numbered pages, pen test page, grid helpers (darker dots to show you the midpoint), hard/soft cover, linen, paper or leather cover.
Brand Story: how important are the ethics of the manufacturer to you? Think about where it is manufactured, the source of the paper etc.My top notebook suggestions for bullet journalling:
Our best selling notebook brand is Archer & Olive. Created by Bonnie Kuhl as part of her own journey through journaling to support her mental health, in Texas.
New ranges are launched each quarter as well as an everyday collection.
Archer & Olive
A&O notebooks are available in multiple sizes and rulings with A5 being the most popular choice for bullet journalling.
- Hardcover with a choice of finishes;
- 192 pages (A5);
- 160 gsm paper;
- Gift box;
- Foil details;
- Ribbon bookmarks;
- Elasticated closure;
- Pen loop;
- Back pocket.
A British alternative to A&O is Yop & Tom. If you have used an Archer & Olive notebook previously, you will find the quality very similar but with some lovely extra features and a lower price!
- A5 Journal –148 x 210mm
- 180 pages (152 with dot grid)
- Gold debossed emblem
- 120 GSM uncoated paper - Smooth to write on and thick enough to prevent bleeding and ghosting
- Lay-flat binding
- Key, Index and Pen Test pages
- Gusseted back cover pocket
- Elastic fastener
- Ribbon Bookmark
Yop & Tom is a British company but their journals are manufactured in China to keep costs down. They have already released a range of colours and designs and plan to continue to launch more. They also have a lined journal available.
I find these journals amazing quality for the price. Perfect for someone who is confident setting up their own journal, likes using a range of pens and is happy with slightly thinner paper to keep the overall weight of the notebook down.
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