Notebook FAQs

Below is a comprehensive FAQ section divided into relevant categories. Each category contains questions and answers, covering a wide range of topics related to custom notebooks, their design, customization, and production.

Design and Artwork Services

A vector file uses mathematical equations to create images, allowing them to be resized without losing quality. This is crucial for logos and other designs that need to be scalable. Common formats include AI, EPS, and SVG.

Yes, we offer design services that include concept development, adherence to brand guidelines, and full design production. Our design fee is £45/$55 per hour, with the total cost depending on the complexity of the project.

The process typically involves three stages: concept development, journal structure and content layout, and final design production. We work closely with you to ensure that the design aligns with your brand and functional needs.

While not mandatory, providing brand guidelines or a mood board helps our designers understand your vision and create a design that aligns with your brand identity.

Mood boards help convey the visual style and tone you want for your notebook. They can include images, colors, fonts, and other design elements that inspire the final product.

We recommend using a tool like Google Slides to create a rough layout, with each slide representing a two-page spread. This helps you visualize the flow of content and make adjustments before finalizing the design.

Yes, we offer consultation services where our product team reviews your design layouts and provides feedback to optimize the structure and content of your notebook.

The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the design. Initial stages like concept development may take 1-5 days, while full design production can take 4 hours to a week.

Design costs can range from £200/$250 for basic designs to £1,000 for more complex projects. The final cost depends on factors like the number of design revisions, the complexity of the layout, and any special features like infographics or illustrations.

Yes, you can use your own designer to create the design. We can provide specifications and guidelines to ensure the design is print-ready.

Customization Options

Options include adding logos, choosing cover materials, foiling, debossing, UV printing, custom belly bands, and more. These options are detailed on each product’s page.

Consider your brand identity, target audience, and the notebook’s purpose. For example, debossing or foiling adds a premium touch, while UV printing allows for more vibrant colors and detailed designs.

Yes, you can add printed inserts or custom endpapers to the inside pages. However, full customization of the interior is typically reserved for fully bespoke notebooks.

Printed inserts are custom pages added to the notebook, often used for brand information, company details, or promotional content. They can be placed at the front or back of the notebook.

Debossing involves pressing a design into the notebook cover, creating a recessed effect. Embossing, on the other hand, raises the design above the cover surface.

Foiling is the application of a metallic or colored foil to the cover using heat and pressure. It adds a shiny or matte finish to logos or text. Common options include gold, silver, and custom colors.

UV printing uses ultraviolet light to cure the ink as it is printed, resulting in vibrant colors and sharp details. It’s ideal for detailed or full-color designs.

Yes, you can choose from various binding styles, including hardcover, softcover, saddle-stitched, and ring-bound. Each style offers different aesthetic and functional benefits.

Belly bands are strips of paper or material that wrap around the outside of the notebook, often used for branding or promotional messages. They can be customized with logos, text, and colors.

Our online notebook builder allows you to preview your customization choices, including colors, logos, and other design elements, before finalizing your order.

Order Process

MOQs vary depending on the service:

 

  • 0-9 units: Not available for custom orders.
  • 10-49 units: Limited options with a premium cost.
  • 50-150 units: Ready-to-brand options are available.
  • 150+ units: Full customization options are available.

You can place an order through our website by selecting the desired notebook, customizing it using our online builder, and submitting the order. For larger or more complex orders, contact our sales team for assistance.

Yes, we offer custom samples for £250/$250. This covers the cost of tooling, setup, and production through our factory. Samples are a great way to ensure your design meets your expectations before committing to a larger order.

Production time varies depending on the order size and complexity, but typically it takes around one month. We can often accommodate faster turnaround times if needed.

Artwork should be provided in vector format (AI, EPS, SVG) for the best results. If you have specific design files or layouts, they can be uploaded during the order process or sent directly to our design team.

Changes can typically be made before production begins. Once the order is in production, changes may not be possible, but it’s best to contact your account manager as soon as possible if you need to make adjustments.

Shipping costs vary based on the destination, order size, and shipping method. We offer a range of shipping options, including standard, expedited, and bulk shipping.

Yes, once your order is shipped, you will receive a tracking number that allows you to monitor the shipment’s progress until it arrives at your specified location.

We accept payment via bank transfer, credit card, and PayPal. Credit card payments are processed through a secure Stripe payment page.

You can use our online pricing calculator for a detailed quote based on your specific requirements. For more complex orders, contact our sales team to receive a custom quote.

Shipping

We offer standard, expedited, and bulk shipping options. The choice depends on your timeline and budget. We can also accommodate deliveries to multiple locations.

Shipping costs are determined by the destination, shipping method, and order size. Local production allows us to offer competitive rates, particularly for orders within Europe and the US.

Yes, consolidating orders can help reduce shipping costs. We recommend planning your orders to take advantage of this option.

Delivery times vary depending on the shipping method chosen. Standard shipping typically takes longer, while expedited options can deliver your order more quickly.

Yes, once your order is dispatched, you will receive a tracking number that you can use to follow the shipment’s progress until it reaches its destination.

We prioritize eco-friendly practices, including local production, which reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-distance shipping. We also offer carbon-neutral shipping options.

Yes, we ship internationally

Paper and Materials

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) paper is certified to be sourced from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. Using FSC-certified paper supports sustainable forestry practices.

GSM stands for grams per square meter and measures the thickness of the paper. Higher GSM indicates thicker paper, which is more durable and less prone to ink bleeding. Common choices include 80 GSM (lightweight), 90 GSM (standard), and 100 GSM (premium).

We offer a range of paper options, including plain, ruled, dot grid, and squared designs, as well as different paper colors like ivory, off white, and white. You can also choose from various GSM weights to suit your needs.

Ivory paper has a warmer, off-white tone that is easier on the eyes and gives a classic, elegant look. White paper is crisp and clean, ideal for a modern appearance. The choice depends on the aesthetic and functional preferences of your notebook.

Yes, we offer eco-friendly options, including recycled papers like Repap, stone paper, and papers made from materials like coffee pulp and seed paper. These options align with our commitment to sustainability.

Our Classic Range includes standard FSC-certified papers that are great all-rounders for notebooks, journals, and planners. These papers are available in various colors and weights, designed to meet a wide range of needs.

The Premium Range features higher-quality papers like Munken Pure (ivory) and Munken Lynx or Munken Polar (white). These papers offer a more luxurious feel and are ideal for high-end projects or brands.

The right paper choice depends on the notebook’s purpose and your aesthetic preferences. Consider the weight (GSM) for durability, the color for the look and feel, and the design options (plain, ruled, etc.) for functionality.

Yes, we can provide a sample book of our papers, allowing you to see and feel the different options before making your final decision. This helps ensure that you choose the best paper for your project.

Yes, we work with leading paper mills like Gmund, GF Smith, Arctic Paper, Favini, and My Cordenons to offer a wide range of specialty papers. These can include unique textures, colors, and eco-friendly options tailored to your specific needs.

Inside Printing

We offer fully custom printed pages (single color, two-color, full color), printed inserts, and custom printed endpapers. Additionally, we provide a variety of stock options like ruled, dot grid, planners, and diaries.

Custom inside printing involves creating bespoke designs for the notebook’s interior pages. You can choose the content, layout, and color scheme, and we will print the pages to your specifications using high-quality offset printing.

Printed inserts are custom pages that are glued into the notebook at the spine, often used for additional branding, information, or promotional content. They can be up to 16 pages, though 4 or 8 pages are common choices.

Printed endpapers are the pages attached to the inside covers of a notebook. These can be custom printed with designs, branding, or other content to enhance the overall presentation of the notebook.

We use offset printing as standard for inside pages, offering the highest print quality and color accuracy. For fast turnaround samples, we may use digital printing, which is quicker but typically used for short runs or prototypes.

Yes, full-color printing is available for inside pages. This option is ideal for notebooks that require vibrant, detailed designs, such as planners, journals, or promotional notebooks.

Offset printing offers superior quality, color accuracy, and consistency across large print runs. It is ideal for high-volume orders and ensures that every page is crisp, clear, and true to your design.

Artwork should be provided in a print-ready format, with considerations for bleeds, color profiles (CMYK), and resolution (300 dpi). We offer guidance on file setup to ensure your design prints perfectly.

We offer a range of stock book block options, including plain, ruled, dot grid, squared, and pre-designed planners and diaries. These are great for customers who want high-quality, ready-made interiors for their notebooks.

Yes, you can mix different printing techniques and content types within a single notebook. For example, you can have some pages in full color, others in black and white, and add printed inserts or endpapers to create a customized product.