Batist Leman knew exactly what he wanted from a notebook:
- No lines: I get distracted by all those lines in most notebooks. I literally can’t read words on them. Or rather: there is no instant focus on the important stuff
- Pages should be fixed: For a while I used map full of regular printing paper, I liked it, but after a while it gets messy, the pages get scrambled up, etc.
- Every page must be the front page for a certain time. When I take the notebook out of my bag I don’t want to search for the page I’m focused on, it needs to be just there.
- Often I put my notebook in front of my laptop, the notebook needs to fit between the laptop and my belly. A horizontal A4 fits.
- A notebook should not be tiny. I need to make sketches, note miniature drawings. An A4 fits.
He couldn’t find anything on the market that fit the bill, so he decided to make his own at the local copy center. Here’s what he did:
- Buy a pack of paper, and take 50-60 pages from it (Max €/$ 1)
- Go to the local copy center
- Ask for 2 transparent covers. (Always use protection!) (Max €/$ 1)
- Ask to ring the bundle (Max €/$ 1)
A great idea. Check out his post for more details.
Matt
on 28 Jun 11The best thing about no lines is the ability to use picture and charts instead of words. A quick wire frame is worth a whole page of just talking about it.
Im still a computer paper person, maybe because ive never thought about binding it. good stuff.
Micah
on 28 Jun 11Also liked the “Buy Now!” Link at the bottom of the article. Funny stuff.
Neil N
on 28 Jun 11Personally, I would find a form of graphing paper with very light lines. I like to draw tables and charts, and I am a neat freak, so they have to be aligned, with sharp 90 degree corners, etc.
Either that or keep a metal (not plastic!) ruler with the notebook at all times. for making nice straight lines.
Matt
on 28 Jun 11Found that the biggest constraint of computer paper is that it is so thin any type of marker bleeds though. Should i go for a better paper or marker selection? Goes well with the Rework chapter ‘design in marker’
Damian
on 28 Jun 11Great idea – reminds me of a kickstarter project I backed: Bound Custom Journals. Check it here: http://kck.st/jAZPeR
(I’m not associated with them at all – just think they have a great and seeing this post think that there are others who might agree with me)
Brad Dowdy
on 28 Jun 11This is becoming a popular thing among the pen and paper circles that I travel in. If you are looking for an upgrade to basic computer paper but is still reasonable cheap and available, try Double A paper: http://www.facebook.com/DoubleApaper.USA
I am using a 5”x8” custom pad that one of my readers sent me recently, cut and bound from Double A. It holds all types of inks very well, and is especially popular with fountain pen users.
Martin Weber
on 28 Jun 11Funny thing is I am using such notebooks for 30 years now. 80 pages, perforated and punched holes, cardboard back. Should be below €2. Baffles me that those are not widely available in the US. (In Austria / Germany they are called “Collegeblock” :) )
Philip Karpiak
on 29 Jun 11Hmm, why didn’t I think of that. I’ve gone printerless for the past year or so but I still got a stack of printer paper and a need for an A4-sized notebook…
mcmlxxxvii
on 29 Jun 11I have been using Fabriano Artist’s Journals since last year after trying Moleskines for awhile but never really using them. The best way I can describe them is a paperback novel made out of the really nice drawing paper, with a ribbon added for a placeholder.
Alex Humphrey
on 29 Jun 11Very nice! Simple and easy is the way to go. Much cheaper than spending time to research and buy the perfect notebook
cindy
on 29 Jun 11Sounds like he could use a Circa/Rollabind/punch notebook system. http://levenger.com/circa
Sandy Naidu
on 30 Jun 11I am big fan of all things stationery…I have so far not tried making my own notebook though. Might give it a try now…
Anonymous Coward
on 30 Jun 11@Neil N: Maybe Whitelines?
(No connection.)
Carmen Delessio
on 30 Jun 11Inspired! I made my own notebooks.
One difference, I bought this relatively inexpensive comb binder on Amazon. Get combs separately.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QWEN5K
James
on 03 Jul 11For a number of years I used blank paper to make notes, and then I switched to ruled paper and used that for a few years.
I found that on blank paper I wrote very rough notes, in larger text and with less sentence structure, while with ruled paper I wrote more prose-like notes.
No idea whether it’d make this sort of difference for other people, but for me it was a good thing – it make me focus more and get clearer what I was trying to say. Using blank paper I was lazier.
Hamid
on 05 Jul 11Very nice and easy to made! I made my own notebooks also.
This discussion is closed.