Batist Leman knew exactly what he wanted from a notebook:

  • No lines: I get distracted by all those lines in most notebooks. I literally can’t read words on them. Or rather: there is no instant focus on the important stuff
  • Pages should be fixed: For a while I used map full of regular printing paper, I liked it, but after a while it gets messy, the pages get scrambled up, etc.
  • Every page must be the front page for a certain time. When I take the notebook out of my bag I don’t want to search for the page I’m focused on, it needs to be just there.
  • Often I put my notebook in front of my laptop, the notebook needs to fit between the laptop and my belly. A horizontal A4 fits.
  • A notebook should not be tiny. I need to make sketches, note miniature drawings. An A4 fits.

He couldn’t find anything on the market that fit the bill, so he decided to make his own at the local copy center. Here’s what he did:

  1. Buy a pack of paper, and take 50-60 pages from it (Max €/$ 1)
  2. Go to the local copy center
  3. Ask for 2 transparent covers. (Always use protection!) (Max €/$ 1)
  4. Ask to ring the bundle (Max €/$ 1)

A great idea. Check out his post for more details.

DIY Notebook