The bullet journal is swooning the internet today. Unlike many virtual organizers, this method of organizing little things or big events makes use of the traditional style: pen and paper. Yes, you read it right!
The bullet journal is a creative way of keeping track of the past, organizing the present stuff, and preparing for future tasks or events – all in one place.
Why is everyone addicted to it? How do I start a bullet journal of my own? This guide will show you the basics of bullet journaling, along with the best notebooks for bullet journals available.
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Things to Consider before Purchasing a Bullet journal Notebook
The bullet journal is numerous combinations of organizing systems kept in one place. You can create a calendar of events; logs of daily, monthly, or yearly to-do lists; a record track of how many days you are exercising. Perhaps even a bucket list of what to eat and where to go. You have all the freedom in the world.
Unlike the organizer apps on your smartphones, which are restricting and based on templates, the bullet journal allows you to play with your mind and experiment on different layouts with many types of pens and markers. To get you started, here are some tips on how to choose a good notebook for you.
They said not to judge a book by its cover. But nobody said anything about notebooks!
Choose between hardcover and paperback as per your needs and budget. Notebooks with hardcovers will naturally have a higher price but offer more protection to your precious notes. If you keep your notebooks unexposed and like the light, go with paperbacks.
The quality of the paper plays a big part in the bullet journaling experience. Make sure that the paper is thick enough for the type of ink you are using. Very pigmented pens and markers will bleed or ghost through thin papers (see FAQs below for more information).
Depending on your ability or desire to incorporate more drawings or designs to your bullet journal, you can choose among blank, lined, grid, or dotted pages (these are subtle guidelines for you).
Most bullet journalists prefer the dotted pages because the dots are soft enough for the guidance and not too prominent like the lined or grid pages. If art is a priority, you will enjoy the blank pages, which leaves more room for creativity.
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Best Notebook For Bullet Journal Reviews in 2022
Leuchtturm1917 A5 Hardcover Notebook
The medium-sized A5 and dotted Leuchtturm1917 is one of the most popular notebooks for bullet journaling. It boasts of quality and comfy feel.
It comes with a built-in index, and the pages are already numbered. The pages are just the right creamy hue, and the dots are not too dark, which go easy on the eyes.
There’s a little chance of making a mess from bleeding because the paper quality can handle some of the wettest inks. More importantly, it has stitched binding that neatly holds the pages together. The binding goes well with a durable hardcover, which lies flat so you won’t feel discomfort from bulges while writing.
Features at a glance:
- Size A5 medium 5.75 x 8.25 inches
- Built-in index page (3 pages) and 249 numbered pages
- Thread-bound with hardcover and elastic closure
- Quality acid-free and ink-proof paper
- Stretchable back pocket
- Page marker and stickers for labeling and archiving
With great binding and paper quality, this dotted notebook for bullet journaling has been a top candidate with many recommendations.
Double Edged Notes: Softcover Writing Notebook
The Double-Edged Notes’ writing notebook is perfect for both beginner and pro bullet journalists. It has high-quality ruled papers that endure from gel pens to fountain pens with no bleed through.
This notebook comes with a printed 3-page index, a bookmark, and a set of stickers so you can archive and label conveniently. Quality flat lay binding allows you to enjoy a more satisfying writing experience.
Features at a glance:
- Premium paper 5.75″ x 8.25″ with 185 numbered pages; no bleeds or smears
- Built-in 3-page index for easy tracking of logs, and black bookmark and stickers for archival and labeling
- Lay flat binding for convenient writing
- Flexible softcover with stretchable interior pocket and elastic enclosure band
This softcover notebook is a best-selling choice for bible journaling. In fact, the company’s exemplary motive is to make the world a better place by printing and distributing a Bible to someone in a country closed to the gospel with every notebook sold. Quite a mission, isn’t it?
BookFactory Ghost Grid Dot Journal
The BookFactory Ghost Grid Dot Journal is a great notebook for its reasonable price tag. For a considerably low price, you get 120 numbered and dotted pages.
The papers resist bleeding and ghosting. The pages have subtle dots to guide you in creating different layouts or designs for your bullet journals without hindering your reading.
The notebook is small and portable so you can take it on the go. It is a smart choice if you prefer to write whenever you feel like it.
It also has durable vinyl covers to safeguard it from ugly bends and wrinkles.
Features at a glance:
- 4 Pages of blank index for archiving
- 120 dotted and numbered pages (5.5″ x 8.5″) with minimal to no bleed-through
- Transparent vinyl front and back covers and wire bind for protection
This notebook lives up to quality despite being so affordable. The best part is that it uses great quality paper that is thicker than the average types within this price range. Some users even report that it does well even with multiple markers.
Northbooks Dots A5 Softcover
The small and slick design of Northbooks Dots A5 Softcover makes it a perfect choice for on-the-go bullet journalists. Its high-quality paper in soft cream color has optimum resistance to bleeding and ghosting to ensure a smooth and pleasant writing and drawing experience.
Priced competitively against its rivals, it has a minimalist design but sturdy build. The sewn binding gives it a comfortable flat lay feel so you can focus more on writing without any disturbance. Plus, its environmental-friendly production of 100% post-consumer recycled paper cover makes you want to buy it for its exemplary efforts on waste reduction.
Features at a glance:
- Ideal size of A5 13/16 x 8 1/4 notebooks for bullet journaling and note taking
- 144 pages with subtle dots and page numbers to guide you in writing and designing
- Durable sewn binding for extra hold and 100% post-consumer recycled paper cover for protection
- Thick, smooth, acid-free paper that can withstand ghosting and bleeding
This notebook will be a reliable companion in your rapid jotting for your bullet journal. Its simple but durable design is a keeper.
Scribbles That Matter (Iconic version) Dotted Journal Notebook Diary A5 in Pink
The thing that bullet journalists love the most about this Scribbles That Matter bullet journal notebook is its super cute exterior design. The book cover has artfully engraved cartoon doodles that give a fun boost to your journaling experience.
It is the perfect bullet journal notebook for students or those with artsy fun souls who are just beginning their bullet journal journeys. Prominent features of this notebook are the Key Page at the front part and the Pen Test page at the last part of the notebook; these pages do not usually come in most average journal notebooks.
Features at a glance:
- Cartoon engravings in waterproof synthetic leather cover for a fun vibe
- 3 Index pages and 201 numbered pages; featuring one key page and two pen test pages
- Beautiful premium-quality ivory colored paper that works well against ink bleeds
- Lay flat binding for convenient writing
- Pen holder, expansive cover pocket, high-quality elastic closure, two colored ribbon bookmarks
If you are on the hip and playful side of bullet journaling, then this notebook is the absolute buy.
SuperiorMaker Dotted Notebook Hardcover
The proud feature of SuperiorMaker Dotted Notebook Hardcover is its paper quality. Compared with well-known brands like Rhodia, Moleskine, and Leuchtturm, this notebook confidently boasts of thicker and heavier paper quality to ensure no bleeding and ghosting. You are sure to enjoy a clean and mess-free writing.
With its super portable size, durable leather hardcover, and elastic cloth band, you can take it anywhere with you without worrying about damaging it.
The stylish monotone and sturdy design make it suitable for both personal and professional use.
Features at a glance:
- 240 Cream-colored dotted pages (100 gsm, acid-free)
- 5” x 8.25” portable size for easy storage
- High-grade PU leather and thread-bound binding for utmost protection
- Elastic cloth band, a black ribbon page marker, expandable back cover
- 100% Lifetime guarantee and a BONUS set of stickers for labeling
For a superior bullet journaling experience, sometimes the quality of the paper can make all the difference in the world. The SuperiorMaker Dotted Notebook Hardcover will not fail you in terms of combatting ink bleeding and ghosting.
The Amazing Office Refillable Writing Journal
This journal with snow-colored leather cover and a Tree of Life embossing will surely give you an uplifting spirit to inspire you to write every day.
This journal is ideal for writing inspirational accounts and travel journeys due to its inviting feel. It comes with a generous set of 200 pages of high-quality and thick refillable paper so you can feel your momentum in writing; no more worries about bleeding and ghosting.
Users love its super protective magnetic clasp and the convenient pen holder at the side.
Features at a glance:
- Unique Tree of Life embossed design
- 200 Pages of quality lined paper (refillable)
- Made from Faux/PU leather (no animals were harmed in production)
- 100% Satisfaction guarantee (full refund available if not satisfied)
What most bullet journalists love about this notebook aside from its curious Tree of Life design is that you can purchase another set of pages for a refill. So if the generous 200 pages are not enough, purchase several pages more to your liking because this journal may very well last a lifetime!
Leuchtturm Notebook A5 Medium Dotted Navy Blue
Leuchtturm has been a leader in producing top-quality notebooks and planners. As one of its premium products, the Leuchtturm Notebook A5 Medium Dotted Navy Blue has an exceptional paper quality that can withstand bleed-throughs from a wide range of pen types.
Compared to the popular Moleskine, users have reported no bleed-throughs in using art pens, brush pens, and even fountain pens. This notebook is thread-bound and opens flat, so you have that nice bump-free surface when writing.
It comes with a hardcover and rounded corners for durability and comfort.
Features at a glance:
- Medium A5 measuring 5.75″ x 8.25″, 145 x 210 mm
- Table of contents and 249 numbered pages for easy tracking of data
- Premium-quality dotted paper (acid-free, bleed-proof, 80 gsm quality)
- Hardcover and thread-bound for durable and flat lay design
- Fountain pen friendly; works with many pen types
- Retractable back pocket, elastic closure, and bound-in bookmark
Aside from these great features, you can request for a customized embossing so you can have your name (or any text) inscribed on the front cover for a more personalized feel.
FAQs on Bullet Journal Notebooks
(1) What is a bleed-through?
Bleeding occurs when the ink of your pen seeps through your paper and create visible blots or dots on the other side of the page. This will mess up the other pages by leaving unwanted ink marks.
(2) What is ghosting?
Ghosting occurs when marks of your writing become slightly visible on the other side of the page depending on the pressure of your hand when you write.
(3) How do you avoid bleeding and ghosting?
Bleeding and ghosting will occur if you have the wrong combination of ink and paper quality. They mostly happen when you use thin or suboptimal paper. The more pigmented your pens are (like those sharpie markers and fountain pens), the higher paper quality (thicker) you should use.
Conclusion
In this age of smartphone apps and virtual organizers, bullet journaling may sound like an ancient method to today’s kids. In truth, it’s a fun and effective way to plan out your day if you still love scribbling.
Bullet journaling has become popular because of its ever-flexible boundary. The psychological benefits it facilitates, such as improved creativity, enriched critical thinking skills, and freshened mood, are just cherries on top.
You can customize every page that you flip however you like – no restrictions! Your bullet journal entries would someday be mementos to look back on as they’re records of the events you care about.
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