Top Journal Brands: Elevate Your Writing Experience

Whether you're an avid writer, an artist, or someone looking to embark on a journaling journey, choosing the right journal can make all the difference. With countless options available, selecting a journal that offers quality, functionality, and style can be a daunting task. From luxurious leather-bound notebooks to minimalist eco-friendly designs, certain brands have distinguished themselves as the top choices for journal enthusiasts. Below, we invite you to explore a curated list of the best brands for journals that combine innovation and timeless elegance to suit every taste and need.

Illustration of journals

Best brands of journals in 2025

Moleskine

Moleskine, founded in 1997, is a leading brand in the journal market, known for its high-quality notebooks that appeal to a wide audience, with 51.35% of its website visitors being female and 48.65% male, primarily aged 25-34. The brand generates annual revenue of $100M - $200M and attracts over 527,000 visits to its website each month. Moleskine notebooks are renowned for their elastic enclosure band, rounded corners, and lay-flat construction, making them a favorite among writers and artists. Despite slightly lighter paper at 70gsm, Moleskine's products are widely available and often preferred for their portability and aesthetic appeal. The brand's strong market presence is evident in its global ranking of 80,613, with the United States being the top country driving desktop traffic.

Leuchtturm1917

Leuchtturm1917 is renowned for its high-quality journals, offering features such as numbered pages, a built-in index, two ribbons, and a back pocket, making it a favorite among notebook enthusiasts. Founded in 1917, the brand has a long history of producing notebooks with excellent paper quality, although recent years have seen a decline in quality, with some users reporting issues like ghosting and poorer paper texture. The notebooks are available in various sizes, including A5, and offer different paper layouts such as lined, dotted, and grid. Despite the recent quality concerns, Leuchtturm1917 notebooks are still appreciated for their luxurious feel and organizational features. However, the paper quality has dropped, with some notebooks now made in China and Taiwan, unlike the earlier ones. For a detailed review of Leuchtturm1917 notebooks, visit Little Coffee Fox.

Rhodia

Rhodia is renowned for its high-quality journals and notebooks, known for their smooth 80-90 gsm paper, durable construction, and iconic orange and black covers. Founded in 1934 by the Verilhac brothers, Rhodia has maintained its commitment to excellence, with products like the Rhodiarama and Webnotebooks being favorites among artists, writers, and notebook enthusiasts. The brand is part of Clairefontaine, acquired in 1997, and continues to innovate with various formats such as lined, dot grid, and graph paper. Rhodia's products are manufactured exclusively on Machine No.6, ensuring consistent quality. With a rich history and dedication to craftsmanship, Rhodia remains a top choice for those seeking premium journals. For a detailed exploration, you can read Rhodia: A Comprehensive Guide.

Field Notes

Field Notes is renowned for its high-quality, visually appealing notebooks, founded in 2007 and initially producing just 200 handmade notebooks, which has grown to producing roughly 75,000 per run and selling almost half a million annually. The brand stands out with its limited edition sets, a mailing list that sends only four emails a year, and a strong online presence with a conversion rate of 4.00-4.50%, outperforming competitors in revenue and transactions.

Papier

Papier is a leading online, direct-to-consumer (D2C) stationery brand, renowned for its high-quality journals and robust growth since its inception in 2015, with year-on-year growth exceeding 50% every year. Positioned in a global stationery market worth $200 billion, Papier dominates the UK market valued at $6 billion and is expanding significantly in the US market, which is six times larger. The brand's on-demand production model minimizes wastage and environmental impact, and it has strong product margins, nearly achieving profitability in its last financial year. Papier's marketing efforts, including successful above-the-line campaigns, have enhanced its brand awareness, leveraging synergies with publications like MailOnline. With a strong track record of product expansion, Papier is poised to capture a larger share of the stationery market.

Baron Fig

Baron Fig is a highly regarded brand in the journal market, known for its well-designed and affordable notebooks. Since its Kickstarter debut in 2013, Baron Fig has garnered a loyal following for its Confidant series, which offers a clean, minimalist design and decent paper quality, although some users note it could be improved for fountain pen use. The brand is committed to sustainability, planting a tree for every notebook sold, and offers competitive pricing with free shipping on orders over $25. Baron Fig's revenue has seen a 4.5% growth over the past three months, indicating strong market performance. Their products, such as the Do Work Journal, are designed to help users track goals and stay organized.

Midori

Midori, established in Japan in 1950, is renowned for its high-quality stationery and journals, particularly its signature MD PAPER products. The brand has evolved to include a range of writing tools and stationery essentials, all designed to enhance the writing experience. Known for its artisanal approach, Midori combines advanced machinery with the skill and passion of its artisans to produce paper that is highly appreciated for its feel and quality. Midori's products have become cult favorites, reflecting the brand's commitment to design and craftsmanship. With a focus on cultivating the unique charms of handwriting, Midori continues to redefine and refine its paper products. You can explore more about their collections on their dedicated page.

Shinola

Shinola, a renowned American lifestyle brand based in Detroit, Michigan, is celebrated for its high-quality journals, among other products. Since its inception in 2011, Shinola has been committed to using as many American-made components as possible, reflecting its dedication to local manufacturing. The company partnered with Edwards Brothers Malloy in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to produce journals before the printer's closure in 2018. Shinola's journals feature soft and hard linen materials, showcasing the brand's attention to detail and quality. With a strong focus on preserving craft and industry, Shinola has become a significant player in the market.

Scribbles That Matter

Scribbles That Matter is a highly regarded brand in the bullet journal community, known for its high-quality journals featuring 160gsm paper, ideal for artists and writers. Their journals come with robust construction, including sewn binding, elastic closures, and satin ribbon page markers. Despite being on the pricier side at £26.97, the journals offer excellent value with included features like a fine liner, measuring ruler, and protective sleeve. The brand has also made significant strides in sustainability, earning FSC certification and reducing their carbon footprint. With a strong social media presence and customer-centric approach, Scribbles That Matter continues to innovate, as seen in their recent polls and product updates.

Paperblanks

Paperblanks is a renowned brand in the journal market, celebrated for its high-quality and artistically inspired notebooks. Since its inception in 1992 in Vancouver, Canada, Paperblanks has been driven by a passion for preserving art and culture, incorporating iconic images from diverse artistic and cultural traditions into their journal covers. The brand expanded to Europe in 2002 and has continued to innovate, introducing new products such as dot-grid planners in 2018 and filing and storage solutions in 2020. Paperblanks' commitment to craftsmanship and self-expression has made it a trusted name, especially among those who value the aesthetic and cultural significance of their journals. In 2022, Paperblanks joined Hachette UK, marking a significant milestone in its 30-year journey.