Despite what we may think, for someone who works in a creative space, no piece of tech will replace a quality notebook for quick notes or sketches of ideas and projects when you’re on the go.
The problem is, like many other product landscapes, the options that are available when it comes to a good pen or good notebook are almost endless and can cause headaches and confusion when trying to find the best one for your type of work.
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With that in mind, we wanted to build a guide to the best notebooks for graphic designers, artists, and illustrators.
When we started to look around and gather information for our list, we realized that there were a lot of options out there and we needed some help.
For our recommendations for the best notebooks in 2024, we actually reached out to our Facebook group for suggestions and what our readers use.
Click on any of the links below to get more information on a certain product, or if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, keep reading for more information.
Also, see our blog on the best digital notepads and notebooks.
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Our Top Pick
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Best Budget
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Best Value
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With its classic, practical design in varied styles, Moleskine's high-quality notebooks are our top pick for their portability, variety, and status as a designer essential. |
The budget-friendly Soomeet Dotted Journal has 200 pages and useful features like a pocket and bookmark, making it our budget pick. |
With 233 pages in four paper styles, the Leuchtturm Master Classic notebook is the best value for buyers wanting a thicker, long-lasting journal. |
With its classic, practical design in varied styles, Moleskine's high-quality notebooks are our top pick for their portability, variety, and status as a designer essential.
The budget-friendly Soomeet Dotted Journal has 200 pages and useful features like a pocket and bookmark, making it our budget pick.
With 233 pages in four paper styles, the Leuchtturm Master Classic notebook is the best value for buyers wanting a thicker, long-lasting journal.
The Best Notebooks for Graphic Designers in 2024
- Moleskine Classic — The best notebook overall (Editor’s Choice)
- Field Notes — The best small notebook for artists
- Moleskine Smart Notebook (Creative Cloud Connected) — The best smart notebook for graphic designers
- Leuchtturm Master Classic — The best value notebook
- Moleskine Livescribe Notebook — The best notebook for surprising speed and accuracy
- Evernote Sketchbook with Smart Stickers — The best notebook with smart stickers
- MOO Hardcover Notebook — The best travel-friendly notebook
- Rhodia — The best notebook for creators
- Jumping Fox Design — The best durable notebook
- Soomeet Dotted Journal Notebook — The best budget notebook
- PAPERAGE Dotted Journal Notebook — The best compact notebook for graphic designers
- Graphique Designer Notebooks — The best notebook ideal for journaling
The Best Notebooks Compared
The Best Notebooks for Designers, Artists & Illustrators in 2024
To some, a pen and notebook go together like peanut butter and jelly or ketchup and french fries. Essentially made for one another. The best pen and notebook feel like an extension of your hand and the perfect writing surface for all of your ideas.
We wanted to shine a light on those that even in their simplicity, can make a world of difference for someone who works in a creative field. It could be a great gift idea too, especially a personalised notebook!
So if you’re ready, let’s read ahead a bit.
1. Moleskine Classic (Editor’s Choice)
The best notebook overall
As it was also featured in our best gear article, seeing multiple offerings from Moleskine is no surprise at all. As designers, having a Moleskine on hand is almost a rite of passage.
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People can get obsessive over owning a notebook from Moleskine and it all started with the Classic. A straightforward notebook with a practical design, it is available in different styles including colored notebooks, memo books, and even “smart” versions (see our 3rd item).
The variety and quality offered by the company that started a little more than twenty years ago as well as the convenient size of many of their notebooks, designed to be easy to take with you or throw into a bag will keep these at the top of many lists for the best notebook available for a long time.
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- Hard cover, rounded corners, elastic closure.
- Ribbon bookmark.
- Expandable inner pocket.
- Front endpaper with "in case of lost" notice.
- Moleskine (Author)
2. Field Notes
The best small notebook for artists
One look at these vintage-styled notebooks might make you think that someone found a collection of their granddad’s old notebooks lying around.
Measuring 3.5 x 5 inches, the small notebooks come with 48 pages and are perfect for a quick sketch or jotting down notes on the go with its saddle binding. Based on our testing, the smooth paper consistency and thick pages ensure smooth writing even with calligraphy ink.
Available in three styles, Aaron Draplin’s, Field Notes design harkens back to pocket ledgers, and agricultural memo books, and for the on-the-go designer is a must-have item.
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- POCKET NOTEBOOK, PERFECTED - At 3.5"x5.5," this Field Notes Original Kraft memo book 3 pack of journals is perfectly sized to fit in the pocket of your shirt, pants, or purse. As always, the inside...
- MIXED PAPER PACK - This pack includes three notebooks with different paper styles — 1 Graph, 1 Ruled, 1 Plain — each with 48-pages. A great sample pack to find your favorite style.
- ACID-FREE, BRIGHT WHITE - Each field journal features responsibly manufactured 60 lb (90 GSM) Finch Opaque body paper, which is a pleasure to write on, as it's smoother and more substantial than the...
- RUGGED & DURABLE COVERS - Stash your Field Notes notebook in your pocket, car, or backpack for everyday carry. The cover is made from 80 lb kraft cardstock from French Paper Co. in Michigan and...
- PROUDLY PRINTED & MANUFACTURED IN THE USA - We take great pride in our complete and transparent origin stories. Each of our thin notebooks and journals is bestowed with evidence of our artisan-first...
3. Moleskine Smart Notebook, Creative Cloud connected
The best smart notebook for graphic designers
These days, just about everything we use is connected, and now, that even includes the notebook you use on a daily basis.
With the Smart Notebook from Moleskine, anything you write can be transferred to your Creative Cloud account by taking a picture of your work with the Moleskine, which is an app connected to the Creative Cloud and will sync the image as a JPG or SVG which then allows you to edit it in Illustrator or Photoshop.
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Technology can be amazing and with this notebook, it can also help you be super productive during your day.
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- SMART NOTEBOOK: Combines the flexibility & memory-enhancing tactile feedback of an old-school analog notebook w/ the convenience & shareability of digital note apps. This smart notebook works...
- WITH NCODED TECHNOLOGY: Invisible Ncoded technology embedded within each page enables the Moleskine Pen+ to recognize where it is within the notebook and to transfer all your freehand notes from page...
- FROM PAGE TO SCREEN: Companion app seamlessly transfers what's written on the notebook page to your device, digitizing your analog notes & allowing you to notate, share, search, edit, & organize your...
- MOLESKINE VERSATILITY: In addition to the iconic notebook, the Moleskine family of products includes both digital & analog writing & lifestyle technology, including smart notebooks & apps, bags,...
- MOLESKINE QUALITY: We're dedicated to culture, travel, memory, imagination, & personal identity—both physical & digital. We bring this commitment to our notebooks, bags, apps & smart pens &...
4. Leuchtturm Master Classic
The best value notebook
At a whopping 233 numbered pages, the Leuchtturm Master Classic notebook definitely gives buyers their money’s worth. While for many, having a smaller, thinner notebook may be the way to go, this is for those who feel otherwise.
Deliberately designed to last you quite some time, the paper comes in four different options – ruled, plain, squared, or dotted. Which one you choose is a matter of preference but get ready to have this one for quite some time.
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- INKPROOF PAPER: Master A4+ notebooks have 100 gsm paper, which is significantly heavier than our smaller standard notebooks and is highly resistant to bleeding and feathering.
- OPENS FLAT: Our specialty thread-binding helps the notebook to open flat so you can write and draw at all angles without compromising the integrity of the spine.
- ELASTIC CLOSURE BAND: Secure your content with the elastic enclosure band and inner gusseted pocket. Two distinct page markers are included for easy access to specific pages.
- VARIOUS COLOR OPTIONS: 8.75 x 12.5 inch (225 × 315mm) dimensions and a diverse range of colours make the Leuchtturm Master A4 notebooks ideal companions for all walks of life. Stickers for labeling...
- QUALITY SINCE 1917: Experience and consistency are important requirements for quality. Quality gives ideas a solid foundation on which they can develop. We are convinced that small details can make a...
5. Livescribe Notebook
The best notebook for surprising speed and accuracy
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Another entry from Moleskine, the Livescribe Notebook will or should be familiar to anyone who uses a Livescribe pen. Designed aesthetically like any other Moleskine notebook, the pages feature three controls for the Livescribe+ features at the bottom of each page.
These controls work with an app and once they are synced will make any notes appear in digital form on the app. This can be really handy for someone who may temporarily misplace their notebook on a busy day.
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- Elegant blank space that brings the thoughts and ideas that you write on the pages directly to your electronic device
- Using the Bluetooth technology of the Live scribe 3 Smart pen and the dot matrix paper, written and drawn information becomes visible in the app in real time
- Notebook has the unmistakable Moleskine design from the rounded corners, to the ivory-coloured pages
- Normal paper printed with microdots
- Easily capture the dots and, with their help, recognize at which position on which page you are writing
6. Evernote Sketchbook with Smart Stickers
The best notebook with smart stickers
While this is technically a Moleskine notebook, it is also different. Many people, creatives, bloggers, and more use Evernote on their phones to keep track of notes, web pages, and other things.
With the Evernote Sketchbook with Smart Stickers, write or sketch whatever you want on the page and then use one of the included Smart Stickers to tag the page.
Take a picture through the Evernote app and it will appear right inside your Evernote account. If you use Evernote and you want more flexibility with the files you’re saving, this is right up your alley.
Latest Price on Amazon:
- SMART NOTEBOOK: Combines the flexibility & memory-enhancing tactile feedback of an old-school analog notebook w/ the convenience & shareability of digital note apps. This smart notebook works...
- WITH NCODED TECHNOLOGY: Invisible Ncoded technology embedded within each page enables the Moleskine Pen+ to recognize where it is within the notebook and to transfer all your freehand notes from page...
- FROM PAGE TO SCREEN: Companion app seamlessly transfers what's written on the notebook page to your device, digitizing your analog notes & allowing you to notate, share, search, edit, & organize your...
- MOLESKINE VERSATILITY: In addition to the iconic notebook, the Moleskine family of products includes both digital & analog writing & lifestyle technology, including smart notebooks & apps, bags,...
- MOLESKINE QUALITY: We're dedicated to culture, travel, memory, imagination, & personal identity—both physical & digital. We bring this commitment to our notebooks, bags, apps & smart pens &...
7. MOO Hardcover Notebook
The best travel-friendly notebook
This is a premium notebook that remains flat while writing. The MOO Hardcover notebook mixes good materials with a practical design that helps with your work.
You can use this notebook for taking notes, writing the next bestseller, or for drawing and designing purposes. This is the perfect companion for travelers, designers, writers, or as a gift.
It has the brightest white Swedish Kristall paper with 6mm lined spacing. The writing surface of this notebook will not turn yellow with age. The pages are thick enough that the ink from the pen will not bleed and you will not see the impression on the reverse side.
This book is made from durable cloth, the tough cover stands up to backpacks and bags. It has a thick, quality. You can have this book as a trusted companion to pen your thoughts and your work of art.
You may use the ribbon as a bookmarker to help you reach the page where you are currently working.
Latest Price on Amazon:
- HARDCOVER NOTEBOOK WITH A LAY FLAT SPINE: A premium, cleverly designed notebook that stays perfectly flat while writing, the MOO hardcover notebook mixes premium materials with practical design, so...
- 160 PAGES OF THICK, LINED PAPER THAT WILL STAND UP TO ANYTHING: With the brightest white Swedish Munken Kristall paper, the MOO Notebooks have 6mm lined spacing pages with a smooth, non-glare writing...
- HANDY CENTRAL SEAM & HEAVYWEIGHT TOP SHEET: 16 pages of G . F Smith unlined color paper (so doodle away) helps separate work from play. The heavy top sheet protects the inside pages from wrinkles or...
- TOUGH, TACTILE COVER: Made from durable book cloth, the tough cover stands up to backpacks and bags and has a thick, quality feel. This small notebook is a trusty companion for your thoughts, for work...
- MOO PREMIUM PRINT: We love great design and believe it can work wonders for every business and individual. That’s why MOO makes beautiful, expertly crafted business stationery and office materials...
8. Rhodia
The best notebook for creators
There are various notebooks that come from Rhodia. These notebooks come in various sizes and textures that will perfectly fit your creative needs.
There are normal spiral notebooks, notepads to quickly scribble down or jot down your ideas, and notebooks that use premium paper to make sure that they fit the needs of fountain pen users.
The paper in these notebooks is mostly half cream colors. The paper of this notebook is also ink resistant, so the ink dries on top of the page and the paper does not absorb it. Neither the ink bleeds nor does it have feathering issues.
The best part about Rhodia notebooks is that you get notebooks in various colors and sizes with different page styles, such as plain, ruled, and dotted. Rhodia notebooks come with half-white and leather hardcovers that keep their standard apart.
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- Item Package Height:21.336 Centimeters
- Item Package Length:3.302 Centimeters
- Item Package Width:14.097 Centimeters
- Product Type:Paper Product
- C Rhodia (Author)
9. Jumping Fox Design
The best durable notebook
The Jumping Fox Design is a luxurious modern A5 notebook from the Illuminate collection that contains a beautiful durable hardcover made with special grain textured leatherette paper.
The satin purple with a subtle mauve sheen resembles ripe grapes in the dusky light.
It has rounded corners, foil edges, and a minimalist logo that gives a high-end professional look. The book has bright ivory dot grid papers that can work with ballpoints, fountain pens, and pencils.
The dotted notebook comes with an elastic band, a double bookmark, and an expandable pocket. The book also contains a blank table on two pages for easy organization and note-taking.
This luxurious-looking notebook has a high-quality dot journal for work note-taking, or a bullet journal, portable planner, or diary.
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- UNIQUE DESIGN - Luxurious modern A5 dot grid notebook from our Illuminate Collection. Beautiful durable hardcover is made with special, grain textured leatherette paper in Satin Purple with subtle...
- OPTIMAL WRITING EXPERIENCE - The dotted A5 notebook opens flat with 140 numbered pages on acid free, archival paper. Smooth no-bleed 120gsm bright ivory dot grid paper works great with ballpoint pens,...
- FUNCTIONAL DETAILS - The dotted notebook has an elastic band, double bookmark and an expandable pocket. It also includes 2 pages of blank table of contents and 16 perforated detachable pages at the...
- ALL PURPOSE - High quality dot journal for work, note taking, or a bullet journal, portable planner or diary. Ideal dot grid journal for creatives, unique business notebook for executives. Luxurious...
- SATISFACTION GUARANTEED - Our commitment is to offer the highest quality products at an affordable price. If you are not happy with your purchase for any reason, however, we accept returns and issue a...
10. Soomeet Dotted Journal Notebook
The best budget notebook
The Soomeet Dotted Journal is a humanized notebook design with a pleasant color. This book has an expandable inner pocket for keeping small papers.
The elastic closure band and aesthetic ribbon bookmark help in note-taking with different colored indexed labels.
This book is durable and has a sturdy cover. It comes with rounded corners, 200 pages, an inner expandable pocket, sticker labels, a ribbon bookmark, and an elastic closure band.
The high-quality and acid-free paper with a light ivory color comes with 200 pages.
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- 【HARDCOVER JOURNALS】: This medium 6 in by 8.3 in dotted notebook features a durable and sturdy cover can be layed flat to 180 degree. rounded corners, 200 pages, inner expandable pocket, sticker...
- 【PREMIUM PAPER】: Made with high-quality, 200 Pages 100gsm acid-free paper in light ivory color, Our notebook paper uses most pen, pencils and tags without ghosting and bleed-through,with the...
- 【HUMANIZED BOOK DESIGN】: Expandable inner pocket for keeping small papers/cards/treasures easily. Elastic closure band and aesthetic ribbon bookmark helps a lot with note taking. different colored...
- 【RECORD DAILY MOMENTS】: Soomeet Leather bound journal are beloved by travelers & office workers & students for every day journaling. Keeping well lined hard cover notary journal brings brilliant...
- 【SOOMEET BRAND GUARANTEE】: We are committed to offering great journals and confident for you will love our notebooks,FULL REFUND or REPLACEMENT for any quality problems, EVEN ALREADY USED!
11. PAPERAGE Dotted Journal Notebook
The best compact notebook for graphic designers
If you are looking for a versatile and compact notebook, the PAPERAGE Dotted Journal Notebook is what you need to make notes of every memorable moment of your day.
This medium 5.7 by 8-inch dotted notebook contains high-quality paper and binding and comes with a large collection of 160 pages, an inner expandable pocket, sticker labels, a ribbon bookmark, and an elastic closure band in addition to its sturdy and water-resistant vegan leather cover with rounded corners.
This journal paper is thicker than typical notebooks and writing pads and is made with premium acid-free paper in a light ivory tone, making it a worthy product for you to use with most of your pens, pencils, and markers.
This thread-bound notebook is made to lay flat, making it simpler for people with both right- and left-handed writing styles to write in it.
There are many journals available where drawing, taking notes, and using a creative bullet journal have never been easier. Fortunately, these journals are available in a multitude of page formats, including Lined, Blank, and Dotted, and are designed in a variety of lovely and vibrant colors.
Latest Price on Amazon:
- BEST-SELLING HARDCOVER JOURNAL: This medium 5.7 in by 8 in dotted notebook features durable and water-resistant vegan leather cover, rounded corners, 160 pages, inner expandable pocket, sticker...
- PREMIUM PAPER: Made with high-quality, 100 gsm acid-free paper in light ivory color, our journal paper is thicker than average notebooks & writing pads, so you can confidently use most pens, pencils,...
- LAY FLAT DESIGN FOR WRITING EASE: Our thread-bound notebook is designed to lay flat, making it easier to write for both right and left-handed users. Artistic bullet journaling, note taking, and...
- INNER POCKET: Includes an expandable inner storage pocket to keep track of appointment cards, notes, receipts, and more. Personalize your journal cover & spine with the sheet of sticker labels...
- VIBRANT & BOLD COLORS: Our journals are designed in a variety of beautiful and fun colors available in a selection of page styles, including Lined (for notetaking & journaling), Blank (for sketching),...
12. Graphique Designer Notebooks
The best notebook ideal for journaling
If you wish to start your day with a cute journal that exudes confidence in its own way, then, Graphique Designer Notebooks is a perfect choice for you to start your day.
The word “NOTES” appears in gold foil in the middle of a pattern of cascading lemons on this notepad making it attractive both outside and inside.
This notebook features 160 thick, ruled pages that are ideal for projects like journaling and taking notes. Furthermore, these thick pages resist bleeding when written on with a pen or pencil and hold up to frequent erasing.
These notebooks feature rule sheets that are ideal for taking notes, keeping a life journal, writing to-do lists, keeping a diary, or keeping track of productivity.
Your notes are always protected thanks to the strong wire binding and robust hardcover. These notebooks are ideal for use at work, school, in the classroom, or at your home office, making them a great idea for gifting your friends and family an artistic view.
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- WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU...: This notebook features a cascading pattern of lemons with the word "NOTES" at the center embellished in gold foil. Start using a journal that's naturally cute with a confident...
- MADE BETTER: These notebooks come with 160 thick ruled pages perfect for journaling, writing notes, and other projects. The thick pages prevent bleed with pen or pencil and stand up to erasing and...
- WHEREVER YOU NEED IT: These are perfect notebooks to use at work, school, your home office, or in the classroom. They make perfect gifts for friends or family and they always leave an impression.
- THE PERFECT PIECE: This journal measures 6.25" x 8.25" x 1" with 160 pages, a hard cover, and gold spiral binding. The ruled pages are perfect for taking notes, life journaling, writing to-do lists, a...
- YOUR STATIONERY BOUTIQUE: Graphique creates fine designer cards, notes, folders, journals, and more for a stylish presentation that expresses who you are. Our goal is to help add confidence and flair...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a design notebook?
A design notebook is used to keep track of the knowledge gained and concepts created throughout the design process. It displays the work that shows on a project and individual accomplishments.
Are Moleskine notebooks worth the price?
Yes, Moleskine notebooks are incredibly strong and of the highest quality, which is always worth the price.
Is it better to journal by pen or with a computer?
It is better to journal by pen as numerous studies indicate that writing letters, notes, essays, or journal entries by hand have cognitive advantages that typing does not provide. Handwriting puts you in touch with the words and enables your brain to concentrate on, comprehend, and learn from them.
Are there design notebooks suitable for digital artists?
Yes, some design notebooks are designed for both traditional and digital artists. They may have features like a stylus loop, pocket for tablets or devices, or special paper for digital drawing with stylus pens.
Choosing the Best Notebook for Your Needs
Finding the best pen and notebook can take time and effort. Going through different notebooks to find a kind of paper that works best and a pen that feels like an extension of your hand is difficult, which is why you may see people with dozens of notebooks and cups full of pens.
We hope that our list of the Best Notebooks for Creatives in 2023 gives you some ideas so that you can always be prepared. So go out there with a notebook in hand and get creative.
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