STATIONERY ISLAND A5 Squared Notebook (Graph Paper Journal) with 120gsm Thick Paper, 180 Pages
Product description
The essentials
If you like your notes to look tidy and structured, an A5 squared notebook is one of those purchases that quietly pays off. The STATIONERY ISLAND A5 Squared Notebook focuses on graph paper layout: clean square spacing for straight lines, neat diagrams, and organised writing without having to draw guidelines yourself. It’s also built as a proper hardback journal, so it’s less flimsy than the thin notebooks you might grab in a hurry.
On paper, it ticks several practical boxes: thick 120gsm paper, 180 squared pages, and an elastic closure so your loose bits don’t end up migrating to the bottom of your bag. There’s even a small pocket and ribbon bookmarks, which are the sort of extras that matter when you’re actually using it for study, planning, or a work notebook.
That said, it’s not a magic wand for every pen type. Even with 120gsm paper, some very wet inks or heavy marker styles can still show through, so it’s worth thinking about your usual pen/marker setup.
What stands out in everyday use
The squared pages are the headline feature. They make it easier to keep handwriting aligned, plan layouts for lists, tables or schedules, and sketch ideas without the “wobbly line” problem you can get on plain paper.
A simple example: for study notes, you can dedicate one page to a tidy grid-based summary and the next to a mini diagram or practice table—then quickly return to the section you’re revising using one of the ribbon bookmarks. If you use tabs/stickers for indexing, the included pocket is designed to hold small accessories and keep your workflow contained.
There’s also the hardback cover with an elastic band closure. In real terms, that means less bending and more confidence when you’re writing on the move—on a train, at a desk in a shared office space, or during a class where you want the notebook to feel stable.
Key specifications (so you can judge the fit)
- Name: STATIONERY ISLAND A5 Squared Notebook (Graph Paper Journal)
- Type: Hardback grid note book
- Format: A5 squared pages
- Size: A5
- Material: Faux leather hardcover, hardback construction
- Colour: Slate
- Display: Squared/graph paper layout
- Resolution: N/A
- Paper weight: 120gsm
- Page count: 180 pages
The paper: 120gsm and what that means
The notebook uses 120gsm premium thick paper. The main advantage here is reduced bleed for typical writing and many brush pen uses, with the brand positioning it as “minimal or no bleeding” in that scenario. Whether it’s perfect depends on the exact pen you use and how heavily you apply ink, but compared with very lightweight notebooks, 120gsm is generally a more forgiving choice.
If you plan to write for long sessions—study notes, daily planning, or working through ideas—thicker paper also tends to feel more substantial. It’s the sort of difference you notice when you press down to write clearly or sketch over the grid.
Where it shines (and where it might not)
This notebook makes the most sense if you want an organised writing surface and you’re the kind of person who likes planning, journalling, or working with structured pages. It’s also good for people who need a notebook that can handle being carried around without collapsing.
It may not be the best match if your main goal is ultra-precise art paper for intense mixed-media use. On very wet inks or heavy markers, no notebook can be guaranteed to be bleed-free in every situation—so if you’re using pens that aggressively soak through, you may need to test or look for specialist paper.
It’s more of a practical day-to-day grid notebook than a dedicated art sketchbook.
Care, organisation, and practical extras
This one includes 2 ribbon bookmarks and a pocket, plus a secure closure band. That’s a handy combination if you tend to jump between sections, or if you like to keep reference bits close at hand (stickers, rulers, stencils, tabs—whatever fits your style).
A quick way to get more out of it: use the pocket as your “tools” space for the current project, then keep the two bookmarks for “today” and “next to revise”. It’s not flashy, but it saves time when you’re switching contexts.
Buying verdict
It’s worth buying if you want an A5 squared notebook for studying, writing, planning or journalling, and you care about thicker 120gsm paper plus a hardback that’s ready to travel. The elastic closure, ribbon bookmarks and included pocket also make it feel more complete for day-to-day use.
You might want to skip it if you mainly use very wet inks or markers and you specifically need near-zero bleed under all conditions. In that case, it could still be usable, but you may find you need to trial your pens first rather than assume it will behave perfectly for every tool.
Overall, this is a sensible choice for structured notes and organised spreads—especially if you like grid paper for keeping everything straight.
Mini FAQ
What is the paper weight?
The notebook uses 120gsm thick paper.
How many pages does it include?
It has 180 squared pages.
Is it a paperback notebook?
No—this is a hardback notebook with a faux leather-style cover and an elastic closure band.
Does it include bookmarks or a pocket?
Yes. There are 2 ribbon bookmarks and an expandable pocket for small accessories.
Is it suitable for study or planning?
Yes, it’s positioned for writing, working, study, travel journalling, daily planning and organised note-taking on a grid.