How to pick your notebook for Bullet Journal

The bullet journal is a "back-to-traditional" organisational tool. It has won many fans not only from those who like being organised with to-do lists, but also from many craft and stationary enthusiast. If you've not heard of bullet journalling (or bujo for short), it is a system using a combination of long term and short term to-do lists, coupled with calendars to keep organised. Variations include meal prep lists, shopping lists, goals, etc. Many craft lovers also use their bujos for variations of paper crafts (like scrapbooking) and calligraphy.

There are a good variety of different types and styles of notebooks available on the market. One of the most common dilemmas most newbies to bullet journalling have is what type of notebook to use. It might seem quite trivial for those who have never stepped into the bullet journalling world, but in fact the different types of notebook are used quite differently.

To pick your first bullet journal, I've tried to categories the different types of notebooks. The 5 broad categories  are: binding type, size, paper type, print on paper and cover type.

1. Binding Type

The types of binding include: book bound, binder bound and traveler (elastic) bound. The type of binding generally alters the way a bujo is organised and used.

Book bound

Moleskein book bound notebook

Book or spiral bound notebooks are probably the most common with the largest variety of sizes, paper types and print. Book binding are either glue bound or thread bound, or a combination of the two.

Pros

- Lightweight and easy to carry around

- Large variety in terms of size, paper type and print.

- Large price range. You can easily get a cheap version from your local supermarket to the branded expensive version from boutique stationary shops.

Cons

- Difficult to remove pages when 'mistakes' are made.

- Difficult to organise page without 'page wastage'.

- Pages tend to get bulky and difficult to write when printable templates or too much accessories (e.g. stickers, washi tape) is used.

Binder bound

Kikki-k binder journal.

Binder bound notebooks or jorunals are probably the most versatile with the most variations. There are many standarised sizes (A7, A6 and A5) with set hole arrangements. 

Pros

- Easiest to remove pages when needed.

- Easiest to organise pages with tabs without 'page wastage'

- Wide variety of template and printables to save time from drawing spreads.

- Will not 'bulk' like book bound when stickers and washi tape is used.

- Can have different type of pages within one journal (e.g. plain, lined, grid, templates).

Cons

- Relatively heavy and bulky for the same paper size.

- Difficult to write on the left page if right-handed due to binder (and vice versa for left-handed).

Traveler (Elastic) bound

Midori traveler's journal

Traveler bound notebooks are generally a leather or fabric cover journal with an elastic binder use for holding multiple notebooks. The most common brand for this type of journal is Midori with imitation versions known generally as Fauxdori or Dori. A traveller bound journal is somewhat of a variation between a book bound notebook and a binder bound journal.

Pros

- Light weight and easy to carry around.

- Can be modified into a wallet.

- Can be used with a variety of notebooks with different prints (e.g. plain, lined, grid, templates).

Cons

- Requires forward planning and difficult to change.

- Individual notebook tends to bulk with printables and accessories (e.g. stickers, washi tape)

2. Size

The most common size of a bullet journal is A5 size. This is the also most common size for most book bound bullet journals. Other variations in size for book bound and binder bound are in A7, A6, B6, B5 and A4.  For binder bound journals, the actual size of the binder is significantly larger than the paper size (e.g. the paper in the binder could be A5, while the binder size would be B5).

Leuchtturm1917 sizes (A6, A5, A4)

For Midori/ Fauxdori notebooks, sizes come in passport size, medium and standard (22x11cm) in order of size from smallest to largest. 

Size also comes in terms of number of pages. Most varieties start from about 50 pages to large notebooks with over 300 pages.

Size is largely a personal preference. The smaller the notebook, the more portable. The larger the notebook, the more space for templates.

3. Paper type

Variations in paper type are largely in terms of paper weight and paper colour.

Paper weight

Most branded notebooks pride themselves on their notebook's paper weight. The lightest weight paper start from 50 gsm, heaviest notebooks around 300 gsm. These are some pros and cons for heavy paper weight notebooks.

Pros

- Less likely to ghost or bleed through the page. Best for art and calligraphy pens.

- More suitable for artwork particularly with water colour.

Cons

- Books tend to have fewer pages to compromise for thickness and weight.

- More expensive.

When picking a notebook based on paper weight, select one based on the type of writing tool you normally use. I personally use fine gel-tip pens, hence 80-100 gsm would be my ideal paper weight.

Paper colour

The other difference with paper is with it's colour. There are different shades of white and ivory. This is also personal preference.

4. Print Type

The most common print types include: blank , lined , grid, dot grid, and functional print.

(From top left clockwise) Lined, Dot-grid, Square-grid, Grid (From: Vector Paper Patterns)

Blank notebooks are great particularly for artwork. Lined notebooks are most common form. Dot and square grids are best for designing templates and banners. There are notebooks with calendar spreads, address book spreads, todo lists, etc.

Daily Schedule spread (From: AliExpress)

5. Book covers

Sandwich notebook by Daycraft

Book covers come in a very large variety. There are paper-back (soft) cover notebooks, hard cover notebooks, fabric cover notebooks, and leather notebooks.

Soft cover notebooks are lightest. Hard cover and fabric notebooks tend to be heavier. Hard cover notebooks are good in terms of wear-and tear, while fabric notebooks tend to be troublesome when it gets dirty. Leather notebooks give great rustic look. On the other hand, there are very interesting notebook like the Sandwich cookie notebook by Daycraft.

Summary

In summary there are a wide variety of notebooks. There is notebooks and journal for bullet journalling each with it's own purpose. If you are looking for a first notebook, I would recommend you start with a cheaper notebook with fewer pages. Once you get the hang of bullet journalling, you will soon figure out what type of notebook you need.

Happy bullet journalling!

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