Top Notebook Brands: From Moleskine to Leuchtturm1917!

In today's digital age, notebooks remain an essential tool for students, professionals, and creatives alike, blending practicality with an opportunity for personal expression. The market is brimming with variety, from minimalist designs to those with vibrant covers, each catering to different tastes and requirements. Sustainability is also playing a pivotal role, with many brands now offering eco-friendly options crafted from recycled materials. For a comprehensive guide to the best notebook brands that cater to style, quality, and environmental consciousness, read on.

Illustration of notebook

Best brands of notebook in 2025

Moleskine

Moleskine is renowned as one of the best producers of notebooks, having revitalized the commodity of notebooks into a luxury item. The company's core business, which accounts for 93% of its sales, includes signature notebooks, copybooks, and similar paper products. Moleskine saw a significant growth in 2021, with revenue from loose filler paper and notebooks increasing by 16%. The brand distributes its products in 113 countries and has a strong presence in Europe, generating 50% of its sales in this region. Moleskine's unique positioning in the luxury market is further enhanced by its partnerships with fashion houses like Missoni and its innovative product lines. Learn more about their offerings on the Moleskine website.

Leuchtturm1917

Leuchtturm1917 is renowned for its high-quality notebooks, offering a wide range of options including dotted, ruled, squared, and blank paper styles, all of which are designed to be fountain pen-friendly with 120 gsm paper to minimize ghosting and bleeding. Founded in 1917, this German brand is celebrated for its attention to detail, featuring numbered pages, a table of contents, two bookmark ribbons, and expandable pockets. The notebooks come in various sizes such as A6, A5, and A4, and are available in 19 different leatherette cover colors. Leuchtturm1917 notebooks are highly praised for their smooth writing experience and practical features like perforated pages and archival stickers. With a commitment to quality and functionality, Leuchtturm1917 has become a favorite among writers, students, and professionals.

Rhodia

Rhodia is renowned as one of the best producers of notebooks, celebrated for its high-quality, smooth, and durable paper. Founded in 1934 by the Rhone River in France, Rhodia has been a favorite among writers, designers, and bullet journal enthusiasts for over 80 years. Their notebooks feature 90 gsm premium paper, which is acid-free, pH neutral, and ideal for use with fountain pens and other writing instruments. Rhodia products are available in various sizes, including A5 and A6, and are distributed in 90 countries worldwide. The brand's commitment to quality has earned it a loyal following globally. For a comprehensive guide, visit Rhodia's guide on JetPens.

Field Notes

Field Notes is a leading American notebook brand, founded in 2007 by Aaron Draplin and Jim Coudal, known for its high-quality, durable, and well-designed memo books. The brand has seen significant growth, with a 23% increase in revenue over the past three months and generating $801,854 from 7,001 transactions in October 2024. Field Notes excels with a conversion rate of 4.00-4.50% and an average order value of $100-125. Their notebooks, available in various sizes and styles, are popular for everyday use and feature unique designs, including limited edition releases. Field Notes products are sold online and through 1,400 retail locations in the United States. For more information, visit the Field Notes website.

Baron Fig

Baron Fig is a highly regarded brand in the notebook market, known for its high-quality and functional products. Founded in 2013 by Joey Cofone and Adam Kornfield, the company quickly gained popularity through its successful Kickstarter campaign, selling nearly 9,000 notebooks in just 30 days. The Confidant, their flagship notebook, features durable hardcovers, acid-free pages, and is available in various sizes and paper styles, including blank, ruled, and dot grid. Baron Fig also commits to sustainability by planting a tree for every Confidant notebook sold. Their products are priced competitively, with discounts for bulk purchases, making them an attractive choice for writers and thinkers. For more details, visit their official website.

Paperblanks

Paperblanks, founded in 1992 in Vancouver, Canada, is renowned for producing high-quality notebooks that combine aesthetic appeal with durable construction. Their notebooks are bound using traditional techniques such as Coptic and Smythe sewn binding, ensuring the pages remain intact and the book opens flat. The paper used is acid-free, archival quality, and has a high opacity, making it ideal for writing with fountain pens. Paperblanks offers a wide range of products, including journals, diaries, and planners, all characterized by their beautiful cover designs and high-quality paper. The company has expanded globally, with significant milestones including its launch in Europe in 2002 and its 30th anniversary in 2022.

Midori

Midori, established in 1950, is a renowned brand in the stationery industry, particularly celebrated for its high-quality notebooks and paper products. The company has consistently innovated, introducing products like the MD Notebook in 2008, which utilizes MD PAPER designed for optimal writing comfort since the 1960s. Midori's commitment to design and functionality is evident in products like the Kirei Letter Pad and D-CLIPS, which have gained global recognition. The brand's evolution includes the launch of the Kami Series in 2006, featuring bold designs on washi paper, and its rebranding to Designphil Inc. in 2007 while retaining the Midori brand name. Midori's products have garnered awards, such as the Good Design Award in 2020 for the Message Cardboard with Sticker. For more details on Midori's innovative stationery, visit their official website.

Clairefontaine

Clairefontaine, founded in Etival-Clairefontaine, is renowned for producing high-quality notebooks, having been the first to manufacture school notebooks in France since 1858. The company is the only European brand that manufactures its own papers, ensuring consistent quality and environmental sustainability through PEFC-certified forests. Clairefontaine paper, with a weight of 90 gsm, is acid-free and highly fountain pen-friendly, offering minimal showthrough and excellent ink resistance. Their products range from staplebound and wirebound notebooks to notepads and indexed books, catering to various needs including school, office, and artistic purposes. With a commitment to recyclable products and a wide range of formats, Clairefontaine has set a benchmark for paper quality. For more information about their notebooks and pads, visit their website.

Mead

Mead is a renowned brand in the notebook market, offering a wide range of high-quality notebooks that cater to various needs, from spiral notebooks to composition books. Known for their durability and user-friendly designs, Mead notebooks are popular among students and professionals alike. For instance, the Mead Spiral Notebook with 70 sheets and college-ruled pages is a favorite, available in multiple pack sizes. Mead's products are backed by a 30-day return policy, ensuring customer satisfaction. With a long history of providing reliable writing materials, Mead continues to be a trusted choice.

Black n’ Red

Black n' Red notebooks, produced by Hamelin as part of Oxford, are highly regarded for their quality and affordability. They offer a range of notebook styles, including spiral-bound, casebound, and composition notebooks, all featuring their signature black and red design. The notebooks are praised for their smooth, 90gsm Optik paper, which exhibits minimal ghosting and feathering, although some users note occasional bleeding with wet pens. The paper weight and smooth writing experience make them a favorite among users, despite some issues with dry time and laying flat. Overall, Black n' Red notebooks provide excellent value, with prices often under $10 for a notebook. For a detailed review, check out this comprehensive review of the Black n' Red spiral notebook.