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"If you're a notebook, I'm a notebook."
Noah, The Notebook, 2004.
That’s the quote, right?
The Notebook might not include such romantic lines as the one above, but that’s not stopping us from whisking you away and reigniting your love for branded notebooks one gloriously lined page at a time (or plain, or squared, or dotted).
We’re here to show you how to personalise your custom notebook like never before. From Pantone-matching, dotted pages, silky ribbons and pingable elastic straps, literally everything you can ever dream of doing to your notebook, we can make a reality.
The future of stationery is here and now: it’s time to create your notebook soulmate.
To explore more of our branded notebooks and promotional journals, check out our full range below, or why not chat to one of our dedicated merchandise consultants today?
The difference between branded notebooks and journals
The difference between branded notebooks and promotional journals can be found between the pages - literally. A notebook is a blank (lined, usually) book where you can jot down anything and everything you need. A journal, on the other hand, usually has more structure to it, with guidance on how to fill it in.
For example, we love our wellness journal, where the pages guide you through recording your thoughts and feelings for the day. However, this is very different to our A5 Spectrum notebook, which has ‘plain’ lined pages. Both are great, but for very different purposes.
Read more: The most popular wellness & self-care trend predictions for 2025
Why notebooks are a staple of promotional merchandise
Branded notebooks have been a promotional must-have since the very beginnings of merch. And that’s because they’re an excellent way to get your company’s message across and your logo seen without stretching your budget.
They’re also a great addition to your branded merchandise strategy because:
They’re useful
A notebook isn’t just paper sewn together; it’s a phonebook, a diary, a recipe book, a love note, a toddler’s favourite pastime. Notebooks encapsulate all facets of our lives between the pages, keeping us organised and on track when a phone doesn’t cut it. What’s more useful than that?
They’re cost-effective
You don’t take out a loan or remortgage your house when it comes to branded notebooks, either. A notebook will give you the same awesome brand awareness, whatever you spend.
They have excellent brand awareness
Speaking of brand awareness, have you noticed your notebook rarely stays in one place?
Whilst commuting, you might get it out to jot down some notes. At client meetings, you pop it on the table. You store receipts in it at a restaurant. Have it out in the kitchen when cooking for friends. And each and every time? Your branding is front and centre, for everyone to see.
A notebook was never made to live in a drawer.
Read more: 12 stats that prove promotional merch is the one to beat for ROI & awareness
They have great brand longevity
Question: Have you ever completed an entire notebook? We mean words on every line, notes in the margins, scribbles on the back cover? We haven’t managed to prove it yet, but we think it’s scientifically impossible to finish a notebook, which is excellent news for your brand!
When promotional notebooks are kept around for years and years (and years), your branding is, too.
Read more: Currently trending: long live longevity
They’re extremely customisable
There’s no such thing as a ‘plain notebook’ anymore (I mean, there is, but hear us out).
You can customise all areas of a notebook to your branding heart’s content.
From tip-in pages, ribbons, pockets, elastics and more, it’s now possible to make your notebooks completely bespoke.
Why not chat to one of our dedicated merchandise consultants to find out what you can create today?
How to personalise your custom notebook in 4 easy steps
Here are four easy ways to personalise your custom-branded notebook:
1. Personalise your cover
Let’s start simple: how do you want your cover to look? Do you want it Pantone-matched? Or neutral? Do you want their name added, too, for that extra special touch? Do you want textured, leather, or card? The cover is where all the branding magic happens, so it’s really important that it’s exactly what you’re looking for.
2. Think about your artwork
Do you want your logo front and centre, or are you looking for subtle? Debossed with gold foil? Printed? Holographic? There are so many different ways you could brand the cover of your notebook (don’t forget the back, too!). That’s why we recommend mocking up a few different ideas (which we can do for you) to see which you prefer before going ahead with finalising your proofs.
Read more: 14 sustainable giveaways to get REALLY excited about
3. Pick the perfect paper
What do you want your notebooks to be? Their everyday companion? Their go-to meeting mate? Their ultimate brainstorming bestie? Whatever you want your notebook to be, outline it with paper. Choose from lined, square, dotted or plain. Why not add in custom margins or a watermark, too? The pages define what your notebook will become, so make sure it’s something great.
4. Any extras with that?
Want to add some extra pizazz to your branded notebook? Add accent colours to your ribbon and elastic. Insert bespoke printed pages or a tip-in sheet. Poke a secret pocket on the back cover.
Whatever you decide to do, our team will help you finalise the finishing touches so that your notebook is perfect for your brand.
5. Bonus step: Packaging
This is a bonus step as it’s not technically to do with the notebook itself, but a branded box and tissue paper can make all the difference when it comes to delivering your notebook!
Read more: Our favourite UK-made merch: office essentials
Branded notebook inspiration
Are you ready to be wowed? From simple to superb, check out these examples of custom-branded notebooks for some insane stationery inspiration:
1. Glossier notebook
Glossier, a makeup brand that’s Skin First. Makeup Second™, went completely rogue with their custom-branded notebooks: introducing their beauty passport.
Instead of a regular notebook, their beauty passport encourages users to collect stickers from all of the different stores across the UK and the US, which mimics what travellers do with their real passports. Now THAT’S some brand ingenuity, right there.
ILM notebook
This is actually a project we worked on! ILM, the UK’s leading provider of leadership qualifications, needed a way to communicate its new brand identity internally amongst colleagues.
What better way than with a branded notebook?
We shared the new brand identity by including bespoke insert pages that explained the new brand vision to employees across the City & Guilds Group.
The team were thrilled with the quality of the notebook, and they proved to be a successful touchpoint in their internal engagement strategy!
3. Tom Riddle Diary Replica
No, we aren’t creating branded horcruxes (yet). But, if you’re looking for some super creative inspiration for merch, Warner Bros. did an excellent job with their replica of Tom Riddle’s diary for their Harry Potter promotional merchandise selection (Pre-basilisk fang, of course).
A relatively plain leather notebook brings the films to life with tarnished-look metal detailing at the corners and the infamous badge on the back of the diary that terrifyingly reads, “TOM MARVOLO RIDDLE”- just like in the film.
This just shows how a simple design can be a thing of dreams (or nightmares) when done right.
Notebook branding made easy
Ready to fall back in love with the humble branded notebook and make it a part of your merchandise strategy again?
To explore more of our branded notebooks and promotional journals, check out our full range below, or why not chat to one of our dedicated merchandise consultants today?
