Have you always wanted to try the famed Hobonichi paper, but don’t want to commit to a full planner? Now you can!
Ana recently sent me a Hobonichi Graph Notebook, A6 ($20 at JetPens), featuring a pretty cover designed by Hiroko Kubota called Another Night of Falling Star Sparklers. The slim notebook features 144 sheets (288 pages) of the same paper as is in the Techo planners. Each page is printed with a 3.7mm grid in red, blue, green and purple. The notebook is A6 size which translates to 4 1/8″ x 5 7/8″ (10.5 cm x 15 cm), and is also available in A5 size as well.
The paper is truly lovely. It’s smooth and the pen just glides over it. There’s no bleeding or feathering, even though I’m using a medium nib that’s putting down a decent amount of ink. I tried to write lightly on this page, so you can see there is a bit of show through and indentation on the other side. Normally this would be more pronounced if I were the one using it.
In general, I prefer slightly thicker paper given my heavy writing, but this is the perfect notebook for my purse. And if you’re eager to try Hobonichi paper without springing for a full planner or ordering from overseas, give this little notebook a look over at JetPens!
DISCLAIMER: Some items included in this review were provided free of charge by JetPens for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.
One of my lovely readers sent me a sample of the new paper that Aura Estelle will be using in their planners for 2026. My plan was to review this new Tomoe River Paper 52gsm white (New Sanzen) paper on its own but it quickly became clear that a comparison was needed between not just the Aura Estelle but the papers being used in some of the other planners currently available.
I have pulled together the following planners/paper:
Sterling Ink 2026 (Tomoe river paper 52 gsm – New Sanzen – white) N1-H Compact
Aura Estelle (Tomoe River Paper 52gsm -New Sanzen- white) SAMPLE A6
The Paper:
Based on this list, the assumption would be that the Aura Estelle paper is the same as the Sterling Ink and Owl Paper — it is NOT. The Aura Estelle paper is much smoother and slicker than any of the other Tomoe River papers on this list. That’s not a good or bad thing but it is definitely different. All three other TR papers had a slight tooth and texture to them.
Aura Estelle paper sample for 2026 planners, front viewAura Estelle writing sample, reverse view
I am pretty confident that Owl Paper and Sterling Ink are using the same version of Tomoe River 52 gsm paper. Sterling Ink paper looks slightly creamier but the difference is minimal so I can’t decide if my eye are playing tricks. Sterling Ink has a darker printed grid and informational data compared to the Owl Paper. Most notably, both the Owl and Sterling planners use the white TR paper while Hobonichi uses the cream/ivory color paper.
Aura Estelle, Hobonich Weeks, Sterling Ink and Owl Paper side-by-side comparison.Hobonichi Weeks vs. Aura Estelle paper and writing samplesSterling Ink paper compared to Aura EstelleOwl Paper vs. Aura Estelle writing sample
I’d say if you were looking for a Hobonichi alternative with brighter white paper, Sterling Ink or Owl Paper are good options.
Hobonich Weeks writing sample, back view. Some show through but not terrible.Sterling Ink writing sample from the reverse. No bleed through, but some acceptable show through.Owl Paper writing sample from the reverse. Show through but no bleed through.
Sizes and Layouts:
Designwise, the Sterling Ink planners have clean, minimal design style. Owl Paper has a visual style that feels more utilitarian. The printed details in the Owl Paper are as light as the printed grid. Alternately, Hobonichi uses a darker grey for dates and informational text. I don’t have a printed Aura Estelle planner in hand but looking at their website, it looks like the printed information is darker than the grid lines as well.
Size comparison: Owl Paper Planner B6, Sterling Ink N1-H Common Planner and Hobonichi Weeks
In terms of pre-printed layouts, each system adds to or removes elements in an effort to make the most functional planner. Its so hard to quantify which system is better or will work best for you. While I do like some sort of weekly layout with Monday through Sunday listed for big tasks, meetings, appointments and travel, I don’t need an hourly breakdown but you might need that for time management. All the planner books I am showing here today feature blank pages that can be used for daily journaling or record keeping.
Sterling Ink Common Planner: Goal Planning pagesSterling Ink Common Planner: Year at a glance viewSterling Ink Common Planner: Quarterly goal plannerSterling Ink Common Planner: Month on two pagesSterling Ink Common Planner: Week on one page with notes pageSterling Ink Common Planner: black grid pages with page numbers
The Sterling Ink Common Planer adds in yearly overviews, quarterly goal setting and habit tracking pages as well as the more expected month on two pages and weekly (horizontal on one page with a page for notes) pages.
Owl Planner: year at a glance viewsOwl Planner: month on two pages viewOwl Paper Planner: vertical week on two pagesOwl Paper Planner: blank gird pages with page numbers
The Owl Paper Planner does not add as many pre-printed pages, just a few yearly overview pages, monthly calendar on two pages and then weekly (vertical format) on two pages.
Aura Estelle offers yearly overview, monthly tracker pages, month on two pages and then dated daily pages (similar to the traditional Hobonichi Techo but without extraneous quotes). Of the planners shown here today, the Aura Estelle is the only one that offers dated daily pages besides a Hobonichi Techo (not shown).
Comparing the Sterling Ink N1-H Common Planner to a Traveler’s Notebook (standard size)
I won’t belabor the Hobonichi Weeks layouts as I assume most people have seen the interior layouts (monthly calendar pages followed by horizontal week on a page with a page for notes).
If you like the aesthetics and layouts of the Sterling Ink, they have many other sizes. The N1 H Compact that I got is the size of a standard Traveler’s Notebook insert. The N2 size is more comparable to the Hobonichi Weeks size so be aware of that if you decide to purchase one. Sterling Ink has an array of size options so if you are looking for more unique sizes like A5 Slim, passport or even B5, they may have what you are looking for. To be honest, I was almost overwhelmed by all the options. Books could also feature foil edges or not.
Aura Estelle offers just A5 and B6. Those are pretty popular common sizes so if you like the formats it may be easier to make a selection.
Owl Paper only offers an A5 undated and a B6 dated for 2026.
I didn’t deep dive into the cover colors or materials. Hobonichi, particularly for the Weeks, offers dozens of color options. Aura Estelle, Owl Paper and Sterling Ink offer a small palette of colors for their covers. I feel like if you don’t like the cover colors, its easy enough to either make a wrap for the cover or put the planner into a fabric or leather cover since these are all fairly common size options.
My final opinions:
I am not a fan of the paper Aura Estelle chose to use for their 2026 planners. I a so grateful to Marcia for sending it to me to try. It is too slick for me personally but I know a lot of people will be thrilled with a smoother, thin paper option in a planner.
I love the size of the Hobonichi Weeks but I definitely think I will prefer the brighter white paper in the Sterling Ink Common Planner (I just wish I hadn’t gotten the larger TN-sized N1).
Sterling Ink Planner
I really like the floppy feel of both the Owl Paper and Sterling Ink covers. They have lovely textured covers and while they might not be sturdy enough to be carried without a protective exterior cover, I appreciate that there is not a lot of added bulk with these covers. I wish I liked the vertical weekly layout more because I would be 100% in on the Owl Paper planner if I was.
Owl PaperPlanner
So, in my dream world, I would have the Sterling Ink design aesthetic with foil edging and austere grey cover, with the lighter grid from the Owl Paper in a Hobonichi Weeks size. I guess the closest I would get would be to purchase a N2 version but the gird lines are still a little darker than I prefer. Since the version of the Owl Paper Planner only takes me to the end of 2025, I can play with it over the next few weeks and see if I can learn a way to use the vertical weekly layout. I still have the Sterling Ink N1 Common Planner as a fallback. (Did I just suggest I had a “fallback planner”?!?! What have I become?)
Do you have make or break elements in a planner/journal?
DISCLAIMER: Some items included in this review were provided free of charge for the purpose of review. Some items were purchased with funds from our amazing Patrons. You can help support this blog by joining our Patreon. Please see the About page for more details.
This week, I’m excited to share the work of my amazing friend, Donovan Beeson. I met Donovan after I left Chicago (bummer!) when she was working on her Letter Writers Alliance project. Donovan is a fabulous illustrator, and shares my love with derelict office equipment and forgotten art supplies. We also both have a history as comic book counter help. Destined to be friend!
Over the years, her love of all things postally-related has turned into a Patreon project called Selvage. With Selvage she has expanded her love of postal experiments has expanded into a community where she shows her works in progress as well as other creative projects. Every month, she creates at least one artistamp to share with supporters. The themes and artistic techniques vary, but there is a strong passion for the postal service, the written word, and the natural world.
Anyone who joins her Patreon at a specific level will even get a block or whole sheet of her artistamps — awesome mail every month! She often provides printables for letter writing which are wonderful too!
I have a lot to say about this week’s link of the week, a follow-up for left-handed writers based on a previous article in The Strategist about favorite pens. Oh, I have opinions. Lots of opinions. If you want to hear more, be sure to subscribe to our Patreon because next week, I’ll spill the tea. Until then, can use guess where I agreed and where I disagreed?
If you enjoy the content here on The Well-Appointed Desk, consider joining our Patreon. You will be supporting this site AND receive extra content like a bi-weekly podcast, free printables and downloadables, newsletter and more. Thank you to our current Patrons! You are the bestest!
I’m always on the hunt for interesting things that span my multiple interests. So when Ana pointed me to Lamy Global’s Instagram post about a crocheted lanyard for a Lamy fountain pen, I was all over it. You could even make it match the color of the year? For those without Instagram accounts, I’m adding the photos here. Even your fountain pen deserves to be cozy!
I can’t help but watch videos where people share what’s in their purses or backpacks. They’re a fun way to learn more about someone and their interests. If it means I’m nosy, so be it.
It’s only fair that I share what’s in my bag after my voyeuristic swiping on Instagram reels. To keep within the theme of this Well-Appointed Desk, let’s take a tour through my illustrated journal travel kit.
What is Illustrated Journaling?
It’s exactly how it sounds. It’s part journal, part sketchbook. Sometimes it’s called visual journaling. I first learned about this from Danny Gregory, who has multiple books about his illustrated life. I highly recommend his books.
As anovelist, it’s easy for me to fill pages and pages with words in my journal. (Writing my novel is a whole other story. Ha!) I’ve always enjoyed drawing but couldn’t build a regular drawing habit. The magic happened a couple of years ago when I combined the two! My partner had hurt himself and was mostly bedridden for three months. I became his caretaker in addition to our kids and my work responsibilities. Sitting down in the evenings with my illustrated journal was my me time. No one needed anything from me at night so I lost myself into my journal and art supplies.
I’ve taught my intro to Visual Journaling Class at the DC Pen Show for two years now and my kit mostly remains the same. The kit I put together for my students are very similar to this. I try to be a minimalist when it comes to travel kits.
My intention for this travel kit is that I can grab it and quickly toss it into my tote bag for out-of-the-home adventures. However, it mostly stays home and moves with me from my home office to the couch to the bedroom so that I can sketch while I binge the latest season of The Diplomat (review: meh).
The Bag
It took me a few bags before I settled on this no-name pencil bag. I chose it for its compact size. It’s small and not too thick. I liked that it has loops for pens, pencils, and paintbrushes but also pockets for other supplies.
This bag measures 7.5″ long, 4.5″ wide, and 2″ thick. The other bags I had held too much. I know, it’s weird problem, but too many art supplies to choose from leads to overwhelm and decision fatigue. If you’re looking for a similar bag, it’s very close to Lihit Lab Book style case.
The Sketchbook
My favorite sketchbook for my illustrated journal isn’t really a sketchbook. I fell in love withTake A Note’s Record Master Journal because of its compactness and paper, 68gms Tomoe River Paper. I’ve used both the OG TRP and the new TRP-S in these Taiwanese notebooks. They handle my watercolors, gouache, acrylics, and fountain pens beautifully.
I’ve tried other types of sketchbooks and notebooks, but have stuck with this one. The form factor and paper makes me happy. I do watercolor sketchbooks that I use but not for my illustrated journaling.
My Watercolor Palette & Brushes
I’m a huge fan ofArt Toolkit palettes. (Don’t ask how many I own.) These palettes are very slim and available in three different sizes. In my purse, I carry the Pocket Palette, which is the size of a business card case. The Folio, pictured above, is their largest. When I’m painting quickly, I don’t always have time to mix colors so I prefer having a large range to choose from. I admire artists who only need a handful of colors to create their art.
This palette is filled with Daniel Smith and Qor watercolors. I also have another Folio palette filled with gouache that I use with my reading journal.
In the zippered inside back pocket, I keep travel paint brushes, a pencil sharpener, clips to hold my sketchbook open, and an in cartridge for my Pentel Pocket Brush pen. I keep a piece of an old cotton t-shirt to use as a rag for cleaning off my brush in between colors.
Drawing & Miscellaneous Tools
My workhorse drawing pens are theHongdian Black Forest fountain pen with afude (bent) nib and the Pentel Pocket Brush pen. I keep both inked withDe Atramentis Document Black since it’s waterproof and allows me to paint over my sketches. Even though I carry regular paintbrushes, I mostly use my water brush since it’s not always possible to have water jar.
Things I don’t use often but are handy: a small water spritzer to help me wet my paints or refill my water brush,Uniball Signo white pen for highlights, and an Ecoline Brush Pen. The Ecoline is a new addition so I’m not sure if it’ll stay.
How Often Do I Change It?
I’m constantly re-evaluating what stays in my travel art kit. Even though I have the travel paint brushes, I hardly use them because I don’t carry something to hold water. I really should remove them. Same with the pencil sharpener since I usually draw directly with my fountain pen.
This is the most minimalist my kit has been. In the past, I kept a dozen colored pencils. They weighed down my bag and I didn’t like how they felt on TRP. Out they went!
Follow me on Instagram to see my most recent illustrated journal pages.
Do you have a travel journaling or art bag? What do you keep in yours?
Fountain Pen Day is a huge celebration of the pen and stationery community and this year is no different. Not only do we want to offer you great deals but we also want to remind you to shop at all the other small businesses participating in the 2025 Fountain Pen Day events, sales and deals.
The Well-Appointed Desk Shop is offering 20% off all merchandise on FRIDAY ONLY on all orders over $25. Use the coupon code: FPD2025 to activate this deal. (Sale starts Friday, November 7, 2025 at midnight Central time and continues until 12:01am Saturday, November 8, 2025.)
