How To: Your Traveler's Notebook Building Guide

The Traveler’s Company notebook boasts a multitude of features that make it a beloved choice among stationery enthusiasts.

Crafted in Japan, its rough-cut leather cover with an elastic band allows for the accommodation of various refills and accessories, making it both distinctive and highly customisable.

Renowned for its quality, the leather cover is sourced from Chiang Mai in Thailand, undergoing an environmentally friendly vegetable tanning process that lends it a soft, aging quality, enhancing its character over time.

One of the notebook's standout features is its distinctive size, designed to sit comfortably in hand. The regular size, slightly taller than an A5 journal and a bit narrower, measures 22cm tall x 12cm wide, while the passport size mirrors the dimensions of an actual passport at 13.4cm tall x 9.8cm wide. The elastic band securing each notebook within its leather cover allows for easy adaptation of contents as needs change, adding to its versatility.

Assembling a Traveler’s notebook is a straightforward process. The starter kit typically includes a standard blank refill, offering flexibility to begin there or add refills according to preference.

Popular options include the dot grid refill, favored for translating plans and actions for the day and week, while the slip case proves handy for storing loose papers collected throughout the day. The slide pen holder adds convenience, eliminating the need to rummage through bags to find a pen.

Step 1: Choosing your preferred size and colour.

The regular size Traveler’s notebook, reminiscent of an A5 but with a slight narrowness, provides an ideal canvas for both structured journaling sessions and spontaneous note-taking. Its versatile dimensions make it suitable for various writing environments, whether you're seated at a desk or jotting down thoughts on the move.

The passport size, resembling an A6 or the dimensions of an actual passport, offers unparalleled compactness and portability. Perfect for those who are constantly on the move, this smaller size fits snugly into pockets or bags, making it an indispensable companion for travelers and urban adventurers alike.

Step 2: Selecting refills tailored to individual needs.

In addition to the standard refill options, Traveler’s notebook offers a diverse array of inserts to cater to every individual's unique needs and creative pursuits.

Beyond the traditional blank, grid, dot, and lined inserts, there are specialty papers designed to inspire and facilitate artistic expression. For instance, the inclusion of sketch paper provides a canvas for doodles, drawings, and intricate designs, while the heavier weight kraft paper lends itself perfectly to scrapbooking projects, allowing for the creation of visually stunning layouts with added durability.

For those with a penchant for organization, Traveler’s notebook offers a range of planner inserts tailored to different time management preferences. Whether you prefer a daily layout to track tasks and appointments with precision, a weekly spread for a broader overview of your schedule, or a monthly planner to set long-term goals and milestones, there's a refill option to suit your organisational style.

These planner inserts help streamline your workflow, increase productivity, and ensure that you stay on top of deadlines and commitments with ease.

For the creatively inclined, the notebook's versatility extends to specialty papers such as dot grid and watercolour paper, as well as perforated sketch paper. The dot grid format provides a subtle guide for bullet journaling enthusiasts, allowing for organised layouts without sacrificing creative freedom.

Watercolour paper offers a sturdy surface for experimenting with paints, inks, and mixed media techniques, while perforated sketch paper facilitates easy sharing and display of artwork. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a budding creative, these specialty inserts provide endless possibilities for self-expression and exploration within the pages of your Traveler’s notebook.

 

Refill Options	Regular	Passport	No. of Pages	Paper Colour
Lined	001	001	64	White
Grid	002	002	64	White
Blank *This is in the Starter kit	003	003	64	White
Blank Cream	025	013	64	Cream
Blank light weight paper	013	005	128	White

 

For time management	Regular	Passport	No. of Pages	Paper Colour
Free Diary Daily	005	n/a	64, 2 months	Cream
Free Diary Weekly	018	007	64,  6 months	Cream
Free Diary Weekly + Memo	019	n/a	64, 6 months	Cream
Free Diary Monthly	017	006	48, 14 months	Cream
Yearly Diary options
20XX Diary Weekly + Memo	Yes	Yes	68, 6 months	Cream

 

 

For being Creative	Regular	Passport	No. of Pages	Paper Colour
Sketch Paper	012	008	48	White, Perforated pages
Kraft paper	014	009	64	Kraft
Dot Grid	026	n/a	64	White
WaterColor paper	027	n/a	24	White

Step 3: Choose your custom accessories/s

With the basics in place, it's time to add a personal touch to your Traveler’s notebook. Use connecting bands to attach multiple refills into your cover, add a pen holder, slip case or brass clip to further personalise your notebook.

Consider embellishing the cover with stickers, stamps, or custom engraving to make it uniquely yours. Additionally, explore accessories such as adhesive pockets, bookmarks, or card holders to enhance functionality and aesthetic appeal. Whether you prefer a minimalist look or enjoy adding flair, customizing your notebook allows you to express your personality and make it truly one-of-a-kind.

Connectors	Regular	Passport	Description
Spare Bands	009		Bands to secure refills, tin fastener and string
Connecting Rubber Bands	021	011	Use to link multiple books

 

Keep it together	Regular	Passport	Description
Slip case	008	004	3 pockets one with slide closure. Hold larger documents
Sticky notes	012	012	5 sizes, 30 sheets. Great for to do lists
Pocket sticker - 3	004		3 small pockets
Pocket Sticker - 1	006	n/a	1 large Pocket - Sticks to back of journal to hold additional refills
Double sided Stickers	010		3 sheets with 56 stickers per sheet. Stick photos, cards
Film Pocket Stickers	023		18 individual Credit card sized sleeves
Card file	007	n/a	One sleeve - 12 business card pockets
Kraft Folder	020	010	Kraft paper folder with 2 pockets
Refill Binder	011		Stores up to 5 notebooks

Pen Holder & Clips	Regular	Passport	Description
Slide Pen holder	016		Slides onto the leather cover. Brown, Black, Camel, Blue
Pen holder Sticker	024		Sticks onto the front of the refill cover. In Brown & Black
030 Brass clip: Airplane or  Logo	030		Helps to hold the notebook open. Available with logo or airplane design.

Step 4: Get Ready for a new kind of organisation! 

Once your Traveler’s notebook is assembled and personalized, it's ready to become a valuable tool in your daily life. Use it to jot down thoughts, ideas, to-do lists, or sketches—whatever suits your needs.

Experiment with different refill options to find what works best for you, whether it's a combination of lined pages for journaling, dot grid for planning, and sketch paper for creative expression.

Regularly review and organise your notes to stay on top of tasks and ensure nothing slips through the cracks. With its customisable design and versatility, the Traveler’s notebook is not just a stationery item but a companion on your journey through life.

 

Experience the endless possibilities of customisation and creativity with Traveler’s notebook - in-store at 30 O'Connor Street Chippendale from Wednesday through Saturday or anytime online via our website!