Notebook (Stationery) Guide: Stylish Designs, Types, and Ruling Styles
Types of Notebooks
When we were young, we used notebooks for drawing, in school for studying, and as adults, we use them for work and schedule management. Looking back, notebooks have been one of the most enduring stationery items in our lives. In the past, lined notebooks, commonly known as university notebooks, were the standard. However, today there are many different types of notebooks available. With diverse designs and a wide range of options suited for various purposes, in this article, we will introduce notebooks from three perspectives: shape, ruling style, and size.
Binding notebooks: The most common type of notebook is bound in the center using thread or adhesive. This is collectively called a "binding notebook." It is easy to use and affordable, making it the most popular choice. One of the benefits of binding notebooks is the wide variety of designs available. From fancy to colorful, retro designs, and even international styles, there is a wide range of options to choose from depending on personal preferences and intended use.
Ring Notebooks: A ring notebook consists of paper with holes punched and bound together with plastic or metal rings. Not only are they visually appealing, but they also open a full 360 degrees, making them easy to write in—many people love using them. Since the covers are often made from durable materials, they’re resistant to damage even when carried in a bag, making them very practical. It’s also easier to tear out pages compared to bound notebooks.
Tear-off Notebooks: These notebooks are bound in a single volume, but each page can be torn off individually. While "tear-off" was originally a feature of report pads, these notebooks serve as a hybrid between a regular notebook and a report pad, addressing the latter’s tendency to get damaged when carried around. The pages often come pre-punched for use in binders, allowing users to organize them even after tearing them out. This convenient functionality has made tear-off notebooks increasingly popular in recent years.
Loose-Leaf Paper: Surprisingly, loose-leaf paper has a long history and is said to have originated from "loose-leaf books" that allowed pages to be added or removed. Essentially, it consists of individual sheets with punched holes, used with a binder. Because it's easy to rearrange, add, or remove pages, it's especially useful when carrying a large amount of material. For students in particular, it eliminates the need to keep separate notebooks for each class, making it a very practical choice.
Slide-Bar Clear Holder: This is a type of holder where loose-leaf or other papers are placed between polypropylene (PP) covers, and then bound by sliding a rail along the edge to keep everything together. The covers and rails are often sold separately, and colorful options are available, making them convenient for organizing documents by color. Since they became available at 100-yen shops, these holders have gained popularity in both office and home settings.
Slide-Style Ringless Notebook: This innovative notebook uses a special metal clip to securely hold papers without punching holes. With a single touch, you can insert new sheets and use it like a regular notebook or to organize documents. It also allows you to bind papers of different sizes together, making it versatile for various situations. As a newly released product, it builds upon the strengths of traditional notebooks while addressing their drawbacks—potentially becoming an essential item in the future.
Binder: A file folder used to hold loose-leaf paper, binders have remained a beloved stationery item alongside loose-leaf sheets. With a wide range of accessories available—such as index dividers and pockets—you can create a personalized and easy-to-use binder. From luxurious leather versions to lightweight plastic ones, the long history of binders means there are countless options to choose from, which adds to their appeal.
Types of Rulings
Most notebooks come with ruled lines, and there are actually many different types beyond just the common widths like A, B, C, and U.
Paying attention to these details can make choosing a notebook surprisingly fun. Try selecting one based on how and what you plan to use it for.
Blank:Blank notebooks are perfect for drawing pictures or illustrations, jotting down ideas, or creating collages with cutouts—they offer the highest degree of creative freedom.
With nothing on the page, a blank notebook gives you a sense of infinite possibility. However, some people may feel unsure where to start, and the way you use it might even reflect your personality.
If you're using it for illustrations or drawing, things like bleed-through, durability, and the feel of the paper become important. Also, the best paper will differ depending on the tools you use—whether it's a fountain pen or pencil—so trying out different types of paper can be a fun experience.
Ruled (Horizontal Lines):Ruled lines typically come in four standard widths: A rule with 7mm spacing, B rule with 6mm, C rule with 5mm, and U rule with 9mm.
The most common are A and B rules.
If you want to draw graphs or write with a blank line in between, C rule is often used.
Some students are experts at choosing different rules depending on the subject, but it’s nice to have options to match your handwriting size, style, and preferences.
Dot Grid:Dot grid notebooks are popular for their stylish look. They can be used for both vertical and horizontal writing, and are convenient for drawing graphs and diagrams, making the notebook very versatile.
According to KOKUYO, Japan’s largest stationery manufacturer, dot grid notebooks were inspired by the elegant and purposeful note-taking style of University of Tokyo students (https://www.kokuyo-st.co.jp/stationery/dotkei/story.html#book). Everyone uses notebooks differently, but the highly versatile dot grid might become the mainstream going forward!
Graph/Grid Paper:In terms of versatility, graph/grid paper notebooks are as popular as dot grid ones. There are various types of graph paper, but they make it easy to align the vertical lines at the start of each row for horizontal writing, and the horizontal lines at the start of each row for vertical writing, allowing you to create beautifully finished notes.
They are also very useful for drawing graphs, charts, and tables, as the proportions are easy to understand. Like dot grid notebooks, graph/grid paper notebooks might soon replace traditional lined notebooks.
Original Ruled Lines:In the past, ruled lines in notebooks varied widely depending on their purpose, such as for illustrated diaries, kanji practice, music staff paper, or English writing. If you can’t find a commercially available notebook that suits your preferences, there are now websites where you can create your own custom notebooks. Some services allow you to design your preferred ruled lines using applications like Illustrator and submit your designs, while others offer semi-custom options where you can choose from preset styles. Using these services to create a unique, personalized notebook sounds like a lot of fun. As mentioned in the "Summary" section, SlideNote’s online store also sells paper that can be printed with your original ruled lines, so be sure to check it out!
