Decide what the notebook is for
A school exercise book, a gift notebook in a bookshop, a corporate notebook with a logo and a dated planner are four different products. They differ in format, paper, binding and price point. Start with three answers: who buys it, at what retail or resale price, and through which channel. A notebook sold online needs a strong cover photo and clear specification in the listing. A notebook for a conference needs a logo position and delivery date. See our notebooks and planners for the range we work with.
Format
Most European buyers use ISO formats. A5 (148 × 210 mm) is the standard for gift and office notebooks, A4 (210 × 297 mm) for school and meeting notes, A6 (105 × 148 mm) for pocket notebooks. B5 (176 × 250 mm) is common for students. Non-standard sizes are possible, but they waste paper on the sheet and can raise the price.
Paper: weight, colour and sheet count
Paper weight is stated in gsm. The table shows typical choices; the right one depends on the pens your customers use.
| Paper weight | Typical use |
|---|---|
| 60–70 gsm | School exercise books, economy notebooks |
| 80 gsm | Standard office and student notebooks |
| 90–100 gsm | Gift notebooks, dotted journals, fountain pen use |
| 120–160 gsm | Sketch pages, bullet journals, mixed media |
Paper colour is usually white or ivory. Ivory reduces glare, white shows colour better. State the sheet count, not only the page count: 80 sheets are 160 pages. Heavier paper and more sheets add weight, and weight drives freight cost. For more on paper see paper and cards.
Test show-through with the pens your customers will use. A gel pen or fineliner on thin paper can show through, and a highlighter can bleed. We give the supplier’s paper data on the product page; we do not promise properties beyond it.
Ruling and page layout
- Lined: usually 6, 7 or 8 mm line spacing, with or without margin.
- Squared: usually 5 mm, common in school maths books in many countries.
- Dotted: usually 5 mm dot grid, popular for journals and planners.
- Blank: for sketching and notes.
School rulings differ by country and school year. If you sell in several markets, plan separate versions. Custom layouts such as headers, date lines, index pages, numbered pages or a printed logo on every page are possible; approve them on a PDF proof.
Binding
| Binding | Strengths | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Sewn (thread-sewn) | Opens flatter, pages stay in | Higher cost, longer production |
| Glued (perfect bound) | Lower cost, clean spine | Does not open flat; check glue quality |
| Spiral | Opens fully flat, pages can be torn out | Spiral can bend in transit |
| Twin-wire | Neat, folds back on itself | Wire colour and diameter to specify |
| Stapled | Cheapest, for thin exercise books | Only for low sheet counts |
Cover materials and finishes
Common covers are hardcover board wrapped in printed paper, PU leather, linen or cloth, kraft board and flexible PP. Each takes a logo differently:
- Printed paper or board: full-colour artwork, matt or gloss lamination, spot UV.
- PU leather: blind embossing, hot-foil in gold, silver or colours, laser engraving.
- Linen and cloth: screen print or hot-foil; fine details may be lost.
- Kraft: one- or two-colour print, blind embossing.
Extras change the price: an elastic closure, ribbon bookmark, pen loop, inner pocket, rounded corners, coloured edges. Choose the few that matter for your price point. PVC covers can contain restricted phthalates, so we request REACH declarations or test reports from the manufacturer where the material requires it.
Packaging and labels
Decide how each notebook reaches the shelf: shrink-wrapped, with a paper belly band, in a gift box or loose in a carton. A belly band can carry the EAN barcode, the product description in several languages and the GPSR data: EU economic operator name, postal and e-mail address, and a type or batch number. Packaging registration (EPR) applies in many countries; in France graphic paper itself can fall under EPR. More on private label and packaging.
Paper sourcing claims
Buyers often ask for FSC or PEFC paper. That claim can only be used where the manufacturer holds a valid chain-of-custody certificate for that product. We provide it on request, where available, and do not print the logo without it. We follow the EU deforestation rules for paper and wood products as they apply.
Minimums and lead times
Private label notebooks usually start at about 300 pieces per model. A model means one format, one paper and one cover; a second cover colour or design can add a separate minimum. Logo finishes add a one-off set-up cost per colour and position, for example a foil or embossing die.
Plan the timeline: specification and quote within 2 working days, a sample in about 7–14 days, production of about 25–45 days and transit of about 25–45 days. In total, order to warehouse is about 8–12 weeks. Dated planners must be ordered by about May–June to sell from September, and back-to-school notebooks by about March. See how it works.
How to compare quotes
Send every supplier the same sheet: format, paper weight and colour, sheet count, ruling, binding, cover material, logo method and size, extras, packaging, quantity per model. Ask for carton size and gross weight, because paper is heavy and freight is a real part of the cost. Then compare the delivered price per piece, not the factory price. Our pricing page shows how we calculate it.
Next step
Send us your specification, or a notebook you want to match, and the quantity. We return options with prices and a sample plan. Request a quote.
