How it's Made
1. Paper Sourcing and Printing
Premium Paper Selction
Our notebook production process begins with the careful selection of high-quality paper. We import our papers (68gsm Tomoe River Paper, 83gsm Cosmo Air Light Paper, etc.) from renowned paper manufacturers in Japan.
Our white Tomoe River Paper is sourced from the last batch produced in September 2021. This decision was prompted by the announcement that Tomoegawa would no longer manufacture Tomoe River Paper. In anticipation of this, we procured a significant quantity of this paper to ensure a consistent supply for our notebooks; we are currently on our last run of this paper.
Recycled Paper
We use a special type of paper for our bullet journal notebooks. This paper is made from recycled materials, also from Asia. By utilizing recycled paper, we actively contribute to the conservation of natural resources and minimize our environmental impact.
2. Handmade Binding and Premium Craftsmanship
Evolution of Notebook Production
Initially, our team hand-bound and experimented with prototypes to develop our notebooks. However, as demand grew, we realized the need to expand our production capabilities. To ensure consistent quality and standardized production, we enlisted the expertise of professional binders. These skilled artisans, located across Asia (China, Japan) and the US, play a vital role in the creation of our premium notebooks.
Handcrafted Binding Process
Our commitment to meticulous craftsmanship is evident in every aspect of our notebooks. While machines assist with stitching, all binding is meticulously done by hand. This approach guarantees that each notebook lays flat when opened, providing a seamless writing experience. Furthermore, instead of relying on traditional glue binding, we employ a stitching technique that enhances the strength and functionality of our products. This method ensures that our notebooks maintain their integrity over time, allowing you to enjoy seamless writing experiences page after page.
3. Attention to Detail and Printing Excellence
Metal Block Printing for Superior Quality
At our company, every detail counts. As part of our dedication to delivering the highest quality notebooks, we use metal block printing so that all details are fully present for every dot or line on the page. This means carving out each template on metal blocks to achieve unparalleled print quality.
Unlike digital printing commonly found in home computers, metal block printing ensures sharp, clear images without pixelation. This meticulous process guarantees even ink distribution, allowing fountain pens and other writing instruments to glide smoothly across the page without any ink welling up around the printed areas.
Enhancing the Writing Experience
To enhance the writing experience further, we have incorporated page numbers into our notebooks. It's important to note that with metal block printing, every page number requires a unique metal block. This means that for a notebook with 500 pages, we need to create 500 individual metal blocks. Despite the complexity and expense associated with this process, we believe that incorporating page numbers significantly augments our customers' writing experience, making it more enjoyable, convenient, and aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, the small dots surrounding the circles of our page numbers beautifully echo our space theme, adding an extra touch of visual appeal to our notebooks. In our commitment to sustainability, the metal blocks used for the page numbers are recycled. This ensures that no resources are wasted in the process, aligning with our dedication to environmental responsibility.
4. Ethical and Sustainable Practices
Vegan and Cruelty-Free Materials
We are committed to ethical practices in all aspects of our production. When sourcing binding materials, we prioritize partnering with other companies that offer vegan and cruelty-free options. This approach aligns with our values and ensures that our notebooks are produced without any harm to the environment or the natural world.
Sustainable Packaging
Our commitment to sustainability extends to our packaging choices. We either utilize packaging materials from Noissue, a company known for its sustainable packaging that is 100% biobased, or repurpose and upcycle old packaging. While this decision did incur additional costs, we firmly believe that it is worth the investment to adhere to stringent ethical guidelines and maintain our responsible production practices.
To ensure meticulous attention to detail, we handle the packaging process in-house. We personally pack each and every one of the thousands of notebooks we produce. This hands-on approach guarantees that every notebook is carefully inspected, packaged, and prepared for shipment, reflecting our dedication to delivering a premium experience to our customers. We thank you all our customers for their support and continued dedication to our brand and company.