Despite what we may think, for someone who works in a creative space, no piece of tech will replace a quality notebook for quick notes or sketches of ideas and projects when you’re on the go.
The problem is, like many other product landscapes, the options that are available when it comes to a good pen or good notebook are almost endless and can cause headaches and confusion trying to find the best one for your type of work.
With that in mind, we wanted to build a guide to best notebooks for artists, designers and illustrators. But before you can start sketching your next big idea that will change the world, knowing what to look for and things to consider for each product is important.
So let’s start there shall we?
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What To Look For When Buying Notebooks
If you’ve ever stopped by your local office supply store and strolled down either the notebook or pen aisles, the number of choices available to you is staggering. It is no wonder that many creatives will go through notebook after notebook until they find the best one for them.
But what should you look for in each? Let’s take a look.
A good notebook should be made of better quality materials than the notebooks that you had in college. You’re a professional now, you should own something with substance.
Let’s take a look at what you should consider when buying a notebook.
Size
This factor will be different for everyone. A lot of the decision in regards to the size of the notebook you’re using comes from what you’re using it for. If you are typically going to do more writing in your notebook, you may be ok with a book-size notebook. On the other hand, if you are primarily going to be sketching and drawing, a larger notebook could be more accommodating.
Paper
The paper that you use in your notebook of choice will typically be influenced by three major areas. These include:
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Media
Specifically speaking, what type of writing or drawing utensil do you plan on using most often with your notebook. If sketching is the primary focus of your notebook, finding one with sketching paper will likely work best for you. Many notebook manufacturers will make notebooks that work well with many types of media including markers, ink, fountain pens or even watercolor.
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Weight
If you’ve never gone paper shopping, it can be eye-opening to learn that paper is offered in different weights. The higher the weight of the paper will be relative to the thickness of the paper. A thicker paper can resist getting wet without rippling or buckling. Some weight is better suited for using with certain pens so that the ink doesn’t smudge or even bleed through.
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Finish
When it comes to the finish of the paper, the term refers to the texture of the paper, For many illustrators, having a paper with good texture can add a sense of realism to what they are drawing, giving it a feel of being real and coming right off the page for some.
Cover
For many creatives who may use a notebook for sketching, the cover can become a makeshift hard surface to draw on. Choosing a notebook with a flimsy cover may not be the best choice. Coincidentally, for writers, having a book-type can be more beneficial so you don’t have to flip back and forth continuously.
Price
It always boils down to this. You may have found the perfect notebook for your needs. It does everything you need it to short of making a good cup of coffee. Then you see the price and almost fall over. A good, high-quality notebook shouldn’t cost more than your rent but at the same time, shouldn’t cost so little that you can find it at the dollar store either. Finding a good middle ground is your best option here.
The Best Notebooks for Creatives in 2019
When we started to look around and gather information for our list, we realized that there are a lot of options out there and we needed some help. For our recommendations for the best notebooks in 2019, we actually reached out to our Facebook group for suggestions and what our readers use.
Click on any of the links below to get more information on a certain product, or if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, keep reading for more information.
Notebooks
- Moleskine Classic – $15
- Moo Hardcover Notebook – $20
- Field Notes – $10
- Moleskine Smart Notebook, Creative Cloud connected – $13
- Leuchtturm Master Classic – $35
- Livescribe Notebook – $23
- Evernote Sketchbook with Smart Stickers – $20
The Best Notebooks Compared
The Best Notebooks for Designers in 2019
To some, a pen and notebook go together like peanut butter and jelly or ketchup and french fries. Essentially made for one another. The best pen and notebook feel like an extension of your hand and the perfect writing surface for all of your ideas.
We wanted to shine a light on those that even in their simplicity, can make a world of difference for someone who works in a creative field.
So if you’re ready, let’s read ahead a bit.
Moleskine Classic
As it was also featured in our best gear article, seeing multiple offerings from Moleskine is no surprise at all. People can get obsessive over owning a notebook from Moleskine and it all started with the Classic. A straightforward notebook with a practical design, it is available in different styles including colored notebooks, memo books and even “smart” versions (see our 4th item).
The variety and quality offered by the company that started little more than twenty years ago as well as the convenient size of many of their notebooks, designed to be easy to take with you or throw into a bag will keep these at the top of many lists for the best notebook available for a long time.
- CLASSIC MOLESKINE NOTEBOOK: Moleskine classic notebooks are perfect notebooks for writing journals, a daily diary, or note taking in college classes or meetings. Moleskine notebooks are beloved by...
- DURABLE COVER & ELASTIC CLOSURE: Hold writing projects & notes in your Moleskine notebook with an elastic closure band & inner storage folders. Leather-like classic Moleskine cover & thick, ivory...
- GIFT QUALITY NOTEBOOKS: Moleskine planners, journals and notebooks come in hardcover or softcover and colors like black, red, blue, green and brown. The binding and cover have a durable finish,...
- DELUXE QUALITY PAGES: Moleskine's thick, ivory paper pages in a hardcover Moleskine notebook, softcover Moleskine notebook, cahier or volant journal, or Moleskine planner are perfectly textured for...
- MOLESKINE IS LOVED FOR A REASON: Writers, students, artists, professionals & travelers love Moleskine notebooks & planners. From lined to unlined, dotted to graph paper there's a Moleskine notebook...
Moo Hardcover Notebook
While Moo may have made a name of themselves with their almost-endless array of business cards, many people aren’t aware that they also make some high-quality notebooks, among other things. Crafted with the same care that is given to your business cards, they are available in both hardcover and softcover, but we have a soft spot for the hardcover option.
Available in a range of colors, the paper is non-glare, ruled, crisp and ready to use right out of the box. A colored, 16-page section of colored paper in the middle of the notebook can give you a scrap paper area to jot down those random thoughts during the day. The best feature, which will make left-handed people swoon is that the notebook will lay flat when open thanks to its binding.
- MOO HARDCOVER NOTEBOOK: Full of clever details to get you organized, the MOO hardcover notebook mixes premium materials with practical design.
- 160 PAGES OF LUXURY & LAY FLAT DESIGN: Swiss-bound with 160 pages of Swedish Munken Kristall paper, the MOO Notebooks have lined pages with a smooth, non-glare writing surface that won't yellow with...
- HANDY CENTRAL SEAM & HEAVYWEIGHT TOP SHEET: 16 pages of G.F Smith unlined color paper (so doodle away) helps separate work from play. The top sheet protects the inside pages and the lay-flat design...
- TOUGH, TACTILE COVER: Made from durable book cloth, this tough cover stands up to backpacks and bags and has a thick, quality feel.
- MOO PREMIUM PRINT: We love great design and believe it can work wonders for every business. That's why MOO makes it simple to create beautiful, expertly crafted business stationery and promotional...
Field Notes
One look at these vintage-styled notebooks ad you may think that someone found a collection of their granddad’s old notebooks laying around. Measuring 3.5 x 5 inches, the small notebooks come with 48 pages and are perfect for a quick sketch or jotting down notes on the go with its saddle binding.
Available in three styles, Aaron Draplin’s, Field Notes design harkens back to pocket ledgers, agricultural memo books and for the on-the-go designer, is a must-have item.
- Memo Books Mixed 3-Pack Plain Ruled Graph Notebook
- Notebook
Moleskine Smart Notebook, Creative Cloud connected
These days, just about everything we use is connected and now, that even includes the notebook you use on a daily basis. With the Smart Notebook from Moleskine, anything you write can be transferred to your Creative Cloud account by taking a picture of your work with the Moleskine, which is an app connected to the Creative Cloud, and will sync the image as a JPG or SVG which then allows you to edit it in Illustrator or Photoshop.
Technology can be amazing and with this notebook, it can also help you be super productive during your day.
- SMART NOTEBOOK: Combines the flexibility & memory-enhancing tactile feedback of an old-school analog notebook w/ the convenience & shareability of digital note apps. This smart notebook works...
- WITH NCODED TECHNOLOGY: Invisible Ncoded technology embedded within each page enables the Moleskine Pen+ to recognize where it is within the notebook and to transfer all your freehand notes from page...
- FROM PAGE TO SCREEN: Companion app seamlessly transfers what's written on the notebook page to your device, digitizing your analog notes & allowing you to notate, share, search, edit, & organize your...
- MOLESKINE VERSATILITY: In addition to the iconic notebook, the Moleskine family of products includes both digital & analog writing & lifestyle technology, including smart notebooks & apps, bags,...
- MOLESKINE QUALITY: Moleskine is dedicated to quality, culture, travel, memory, imagination, & personal identity--in both the physical & digital world. We bring this commitment to our notebooks, bags,...
Leuchtturm Master Classic
At a whopping 233 numbered pages, the Leuchtturm Master Classic notebook definitely gives buyers their money worth. While for many, having a smaller, thinner notebook may be the way to go, this is for those who feel otherwise.
Deliberately designed to last you quite some time, the paper comes in four different options – ruled, plain, squared or dotted. Which one you choose is a matter of preference but get ready to have this one for quite some time.
- Hard cover and stickers for labeling and archiving
- Numbered pages and blank table of contents for easy organization and notes
- Acid-free and ink proof paper, expandable pocket inside back cover, page marker and elastic closure
- Thread-bound opens flat
- 233 numbered pages, 8 perforated pages, 8.75 x 12.5 x 0.86-inches
Livescribe Notebook
Another entry from Moleskine, the Livescribe Notebook will or should be familiar to anyone who uses a Livescribe pen. Designed aesthetically like any other Moleskine notebook, the pages feature three controls for the Livescribe+ features at the bottom of each page.
These controls work with an app and once they are sync will make any notes appear in digital form on the app. This can be really handy for someone who may temporarily misplace their notebook on a busy day.
- Moleskine Livescribe 1 Notebook Ruled Black Large
Evernote Sketchbook with Smart Stickers
While this is technically a Moleskine notebook, it is also different. Many people, creatives, bloggers and more use Evernote on their phone to keep track of notes, web pages, and other things. With the Evernote Sketchbook with Smart Stickers, write or sketch whatever you want on the page and then use one of the included Smart Stickers to tag the page.
Take a picture through the Evernote app and it will appear right inside your Evernote account. If you use Evernote and you want more flexibility with the files you’re saving, this is right up your alley.
- SMART NOTEBOOK: Combines the flexibility & memory-enhancing tactile feedback of an old-school analog notebook w/ the convenience & shareability of digital note apps. This smart notebook works...
- WITH NCODED TECHNOLOGY: Invisible Ncoded technology embedded within each page enables the Moleskine Pen+ to recognize where it is within the notebook and to transfer all your freehand notes from page...
- FROM PAGE TO SCREEN: Companion app seamlessly transfers what's written on the notebook page to your device, digitizing your analog notes & allowing you to notate, share, search, edit, & organize your...
- MOLESKINE VERSATILITY: In addition to the iconic notebook, the Moleskine family of products includes both digital & analog writing & lifestyle technology, including smart notebooks & apps, bags,...
- MOLESKINE QUALITY: Moleskine is dedicated to quality, culture, travel, memory, imagination, & personal identity--in both the physical & digital world. We bring this commitment to our notebooks, bags,...
The Best Notebooks Compared
Choosing the Best Notebook for Your Needs
Finding the best pen and notebook can take time and effort. Going through different notebooks to find a kind of paper that works best and a pen that feels like an extension of your hand is difficult, which is why you may see people with dozens of notebooks and cups full of pens.
We hope that our list of the Best Notebooks for Creatives in 2019 helped to give you some ideas so you can avoid that fate but if you have a favorite notebook that isn’t on our list, let us know in the comments below.
Related posts:
- 17 Essential Tools for Designers
- Best computers for designers
- Best printers for designers
- Best monitors for designers
- Best tablets for designers
- Best mouse for designers
- Best earphones for music-lovers
- Best cameras for designers
- Best microphones for designers
- Best office chairs for designers
- Best external hard drives for designers
- Best monitor calibrators for designers
- Best pens for designers
- Best smart phones for creatives
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