Compendium Paper Journal

Notebook in A4 format with a size of 210 x 297 mm.

Notebook in A5 format with a size of 148 x 210 mm. brandbook recommends a low format deviation DIN standard 141 x 207 mm - with perfect proportions.

Notebook in A6 format with a size of 105 x 148 mm.

Lists all in- and outgoing transactions a business or company completes in the form of a table. The accounts ledger must be kept with all documents and certificates on the business premises.

Notebook for records regarding administrative processes and tasks, i.e. tasks related to the management of a place, a corporation, a public body or an association.

From the Latin Agendum “to drive on, set in motion”. Used in the sense of agenda or calendar. A calendar is a calendar running over a certain period in the form of a notebook, tear-off notepad, or in electronic form, or a diary in the form of a notebook or note booklet, in which one enters additional information such as events, appointments and tasks.

Notebook specifically for architects and planners. Characterised by special grid (as graph paper, isometric grid or the layout grid of Le Corbusier), on which architects can sketch and draw optimally on paper.

Independent artworks, which generally make the book the subject of an artistic concept. In contemporary art, these concepts exceed the limits of the book as an object. Artist books are created as an original work by an artist, or appear as multiples in authorized editions.

From the Greek “auto” (self, own) and “graphein” (write). Document which was written by the author with his own hand.

Trend towards paper. As a countermovement to the digitised world and electronic organisational tools, such as notebooks, tablets or smartphones, many people have gone back to using journals to record their ideas, appointments and projects. The movement emerged among the young American urban hipster scene and has taken hold in Germany since a number of years. In the meantime, a real notebook cult can be seen that has brought with it a revival of the notebook market and an expansion of the range of striking notebooks available.

Also known as band or loop. A strip of paper that is wrapped around the notebook and can be used an advertising medium by printing on it.

With a proportion of 60%, the favourite colour for notebook covers.

Notebook with empty pages.

It is a book cover material for notebooks based on leather fibres. Bonded leather is made from shredded scrap leather and natural raw materials. It therefore has almost all the features of leather, such as its look, smell and feel, yet is much cheaper than genuine leather. It is available in different colours and textures. Variations may occur, however, in colour, softness and appearance, due to the nature of the product.

A printed calendar in a notebook, which allows one to have a firm overview of all important dates, such as in the form of an annual calendar, as well as one week or two months on a double page.

Notebook in which suggestions for improvements can be added. Can belong to one person or even be accessible to more than one person and be presented publicly. Conceivable contexts for its use are, for example, within companies, departments, public institutions, hotels or clubs.

A book format cannot be chosen arbitrarily. The decision should be based on the printing process specifications and should follow aesthetic design principles. The better a book format utilises a sheet size, the lower the printing costs, since no custom designs are necessary and little waste results. Prevalent book formats for sheet offset printing are 12 × 19 cm, 13 × 21 cm or 16 × 24 cm.

Notebooks, which were bound with thread stitching. This high-quality binding process in which the individual sheets are bound with a stitching thread, is the best and most durable technology. Since notebooks usually have to withstand greater demands than, for example, novels, thread stitching is the only sensible kind of binding.

Creativity technique, similar to brainstorming, which is used in groups. Unlike oral brainstorming, brainwriting allows each participant to gather their ideas in peace and to put them down in writing. The process is divided into two phases. 1. The ideas are developed and may not be assessed, so as to prevent an internal censorship to occur, 2. The results are critically examined and the best ideas are selected.

Translated from the French. Specifies the first draft of a written work, a sketch or concept. Later importance: commercial ledger, in which all transactions of the day are briefly listed.

The transparent business card holders are glued to the inside of the book cover.

French for notebook.

Small, coloured fabric strips that are glued at the top and bottom of the spine in hardcover books. The chapter strip should primarily cover the gap between the spine and the book body. In addition, it has a decorative appearance. Not to be confused with the read or ribbon page marker.

City books imprinted with a coat of arms can be developed for all cities or regions. They contain an integrated map, information about important addresses and places of interest, and are useful companions for sightseers on tours and for citizens who want to learn more about their city.

The book closure dates from the Middle Ages and serves to protect the book insides from dust and light. The book cover is held together by leather or metal constructions. Today, notebooks have closure bands made from rubber or fastener clips made of stainless steel.

Creativity technique in which all participants immediately write their ideas and thoughts in a notebook. Comparable with written brainstorming. The advantage is that all ideas in a given period can be spontaneously recorded, after which they can be presented and evaluated at a joint meeting.

All materials that are used to create notebooks. These include industrial varieties such as special book linen, textiles and synthetic fibres, as well as leather, synthetic leather, paper and PU materials. A quality feature is that the covers are rugged and “patina capable”, i.e. they retain their structure even after being subjected to frequent touching or moisture.

Notebook, for example, with graph paper on the inside, which serves trade- and craftspeople for their various records and notes, such as information for cost estimates or orders, bills of quantities or sketches.

Notebooks in landscape format are bound along the short edge. The format is especially suitable for landscape photographs for example.

A notebook for cruise passengers’ personal travel documentation. With photos and maps of the route and a factsheet about the ship.

Notebooks that are tailored to the client's needs.

Attention paid to clients or customers of a business. Used to strengthen customer loyalty and to make a more enduring impression of the brand in peoples’ minds. Most common are seasonal customer gifts such as Christmas gifts. Another example is subscription gifts, awarded to subscribers by publishing companies.

Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks are a unique testimony to his genius and creative power. They contain a wide variety of observations on topics such as art, people, nature, machines and philosophy.

Preliminary business book in the form of a rough notebook.

Firmer booklet containing written entries. Also called a diary.

Usually written records in regular chronological form, in which the writer records their experiences from a subjective point of view and portrays their moods and feelings. Is not intended for access by third parties or for publication generally. In contrast, diaries are now often made public on the Internet in the form of a blog.

Employee gifts strengthen the identification of employees with their company and serve as motivation. They are designed using the corporate design of the company and usually contain the company logo or lettering. High-value employee gifts, such as exclusive notebooks, offer real additional benefits for recipients and strengthens team spirit. These giveaways often find their way beyond the office environment and into private spaces.

While in the case of a high-quality notebook, a book cover encloses the book body, an envelope is used for simple brochures or paperbacks. As a single-piece envelope it is ribbed two or four times, particularly when made of strong material.

An online tool for notes of any kind, i.e. a digital notebook. Good alternative to the classic analogue notepad.

The thickness of a book, in terms of the number of pages.

In his book “Praxis des Drehbuchschreibens”, Jean-Claude Carriere writes: “the notebook is the scriptwriter’s best friend”. Prominent directors like Wim Wenders, Jean-Luc Godard or Woody Allen never leave the house without the notebook.

Glued to the inside of the book cover paper bag that virtually jumps out at one when opening the book. The frog pocket provides space for the notepad, receipts, fuel receipts, etc. Also called compartment or accordion pocket.

Before and after the book body, there are endpapers made of strong paper (white, toned, ribbed, embossed, etc.), which connect the book body, front and rear with the cover. Double sheet, one half of which is fixed to the inside of the back cover and the other half remains movable. The front and back endpapers can be individually designed or also simply be printed paper.

Online notebook of Google. Popular tool with which one extracts ideas and information sources while surfing the web, and can gather and organize them in various projects and matching folders. This is therefore almost a digital version of the analogue notebook.

A book for visitors of a particular place or event notebook with blank pages, where names and comments can be left. It is commonly found in museums or hotels or designed for private celebrations such as weddings, christenings, anniversaries, so as to later serve as a reminder of the event.

A HackBag is a creative box for notebook hacks. It contains a random assortment of seemingly unrelated things - and of course a notebook. The latter involves using the HackBag content to change, modify, enhance and decorate – in short, to “hack”.

All-weather notebook, which has a cover that withstands the harshest weather conditions. Likewise, the writing paper can endure some raindrops.

Also known as hardback. Name of a tightly bound book, whereby the cover is made of solid cardboard.

The American writer Ernest Hemingway was known to write his diaries in notebooks. Since everything that can be associated with Hemingway, especially in the world of men, has become cult (see Abercrombie & Fitch, cigars...), the “notebook industry” of the great writer has also benefited.

Notebooks that are placed out in hotel rooms as a gift of the house for guests. Good alternative to stationery that is hardly still used today. The book can contain urban or metro maps or tourist information and is can already be used during the guests’ stay, which they can then take home with them afterwards.

Notebook, in which all ideas, associations and creative approaches on any topic are spontaneously put on paper.

To successfully innovate, one first needs a variety of ideas. There are various creative techniques such as brainstorming, brainwriting, provocative technique, collective notebook, semantic intuition, mind mapping or clusters that help to generate new ideas.

Instead of the usual 16-page brochure, it is worthwhile producing a high-quality notebook with the image part as an alternative. This is, without doubt, actively used, and does not instantly end up in the tray “P”.

Ink stability refers to the level in which ink does not run when applied to paper.

In contrast to the usual gifts from the promotional catalogue, an individually designed notebook edition is an innovative promotional freebie for customers, business partners and employees. It offers inexhaustible creative freedom and plenty of space for advertising messages and the presentation of a brand. It functions as a creative tool for the recipient, as well as a means to store ideas and to organise one’s life.

Papers from Japan are obtained from the fibres of low-growing indigenous plants, which are partly very rare. The best-known kinds are Gampi, Kouzo and Mitsumata. Most Japanese papers are handmade and very resistant, due to their long fibres. At the same time, they are also very soft and of high quality.

(1) a journalistic product, similar to a magazine (2) a form of day or notebook (3) an instrument of chronological record keeping

Also called blue books or idea books. They function as a daily study book. Unlike the diary, the journal not only contains personal thoughts, but notes that revolve around a particular theme too, for example, a research paper. There is, however, already an assessment and interpretation of the content taking place. Journal writing does not generally serve as a publication, but as a collection.

Notebook that serves as a research book for journalists (see also reporter block).

German word for writing or sketching an initial design or concept. It is from this background that the rough notebook is derived - a sketch, note or provisional business notebook. Rough notebooks are firmly bound, as a rule, and contain blank or lined pages. Rough notebooks for keeping accounts are also called daybooks. We consider both names not that nice for a notebook. Therefore, we hope that they will eventually disappear from the vocabulary.

Notebook, in which the planning, implementation and evaluation of scientific experiments is documented. There are strict rules for conducting a laboratory book, because the awarding of a scientific discovery or patent may depend on that in the US, for example. Therefore, laboratory notebook must not involve a loose-page collection, but rather a bound notebook only. Entries may not be made with pencil, but only with indelible ink. Of course, the laboratory notebook must be detailed, comprehensible, written directly following the trial and signed by the person responsible.

A notebook with a cover made of leather. As a rule though, imitation leather or a high-quality type of bonded leather is mostly used nowadays.

Magnet, which is hidden in the book cover of a hardcover or soft cover and keeps the cover together.

A special notebook that used by the fire brigade.

Notebook with pre-printed mind map or memory card. Mind mapping is a visualisation technique to help visualise topics and thereby be able to quickly develop and represent a theme visually. Through this note-taking technique, the functions of the brain are used optimally, since a mind map uses the capabilities of both hemispheres. In addition, the technique is very flexible because, for example, one can add to it at any time. Specifically, in mind mapping, the central topic is written in the middle of a blank sheet. Keywords are then gathered surrounding the main theme and connected by branches. Here one can work with colours and images. This in turn results in further branches until all aspects of the subject appear on the paper.

A notebook, which stems from the notebook of the Parisian artistic and literary scene in the first half of the 20th century and is associated with names like Hemingway, Van Gogh, Picasso or the English travel writer Bruce Chatwin, himself raised to a figurehead of Moleskine marketing. A characteristic feature of Moleskine is its functional simplicity. The original cover was made of black moleskin, a heavy, sturdy cotton fabric that gave the book its name. Typically, the corners are rounded and a rubber band acts as closure device. In 1998, the Italian company Modo & Modo trademarked the Moleskine concept in order to protect it legally. Today, Moleskines are manufactured in China and are bound in PVC material instead of moleskin.

A notebook edition of the renowned London magazine Monocle. The edition, in DIN A5 format, is characterized by exclusive linen cover with gold embossing, gilt edges and beautiful writing paper. Available in all Monocle shops, among others.

One of the best, if not the best paper quality for notebooks is Munken Pure in a grammage of 90–150 g/m². It provides excellent writing outcomes in all pen types. Visually, it is characterized by a creamy white, soft tone and satisfies with its pleasant feel, in matt and uncoated surface options. See also Chamois.

Besides the usual book genres and electronic media available in bookstores, there are also so-called non-books. These include, for example, calendars of any kind, book-related merchandise and book-related items from stationery supplies, such as bookmarks, postcards and pens. Notebooks fall into the category non-books too.

Starting with the back-to-paper movement among American young urban hipsters, notebooks have been back in fashion in Germany for several years. Functioning almost as a countermovement to electronic organisational aids such as notebooks and smartphones. Where there were only black and red Chinese notebooks and monotonous time planners before, an entire market has now been established with notebooks in all varieties. Thus one can see oneself in the tradition of many intellectuals and creatives, who always carry a small black notebook with them. And it is practical too, to make notes quickly and easily via pen and paper.

Creativity knows no bounds in the individual design of notebooks. This starts with the selection of the desired format and the making of the cover as a hard cover, the desired thickness and especially the quality of paper. As for the exterior design, there are hundreds of cover materials available, such as fabric, leather, synthetic leather, paper or PU materials in various versions and all imaginable shades. More spectacular effects can be achieved through finishing techniques, such as printing varnishes, embossing, punching or cutting decoration. In terms of notebook accessories, there are many options to choose from too, for example, business card pockets, frog pockets, elastic band closures, penholders, bookmarks or ribbon page markers. Niceties like a colour-coordinated chapter strip create a coherent overall picture, down to the smallest detail.

Besides blank notebooks with empty, unprinted pages, there are notebooks with a variety of grids, depending on personal preference or application purposes. Particularly widespread are line grids, square grids and dot grids. In addition, there are also particular grids that are tailored to a specific industry, occupation or working method, for example, graph paper, the isometric dot- and line grid or the design grid by Le Corbusier for architects, or the Müller-Brockmann grid for designers.

An offer from Brandbook, in which a customer is regular sent a new notebook. The result is a small edition, which is designed by one source and fits together.

Notebook with a rubber stretch band that acts as a closure. The rubber band is firmly anchored in the book cover. It should have a high level of elasticity and extensibility so it does not wear out.

Notebooks are used for sketching, making notes, drawing and writing. The paper should therefore meet all these requirements. In particular, it should be suitable for all kinds of writing utensils, from pencil to pens, and ink pens to markers. Moreover, it should be strong enough so it does not crease when erasing. The classic notebook has a naturally white or off-white, voluminous paper. One of the best, if not the best quality paper for notebooks, is Munken Polar or Pure in the grammage 90 g/m².

Gifts for use in office environments. The usual kinds are pens, mugs, mouse pads or laser pointers. Those looking for a more exclusive gift with more value should consider a high quality notebook.

One can understand one-to-one marketing (also 1: 1 marketing or direct marketing) is a kind of advertising that is individually tailored to the customer and has a personal approach, involving an invitation to reply included (response options). The aim of one-to-one marketing is to send clients not just personalised, but also individualised offers. So deals are tailored to their needs and can thus produce the best possible responses. For this task, client data is collected and profiles created. Notebooks can be used very well for one-to-one dealings too.

Opacity is the technical term for the opacity of the paper. A paper is opaque, if it is not translucent. Good opacity is achieved by more fillers in-between the paper fibres in paper production. The opacity of the paper can also be achieved by colouring. Yellowish coloured papers are less translucent.

Concept stemming from design theory and cognitive psychology. Designates a point deviated from the geometric centre and is perceived as the centre due to an optical illusion. When designing a book cover, for example, with a centred text, the optical centre should be taken into consideration. In an A5 book, the optical centre is located about 2 cm above the geometric centre.

English term for a paperback, which is a book with a soft cover (“brochure”). Compared to the hardcover, it is produced inexpensively, with a simple adhesive binding. Cheap notebooks are often paperbacks.

There are several possibilities for attaching a pen to a notebook. One can use a pen loop or a clip, for example, made from stainless steel, in which the pen is inserted. The pin can also be secured by means of a spinal penholder or a rubber band penholder.

For its owner, a notebook gains value with each entry and quickly becomes a permanent companion. It is a storage container for ideas, a creativity tool and an organiser, all in one, and becomes more appreciated with each written page.

Includes individually pre-printing a name or address on a printed product. Frequently used for direct mail. Making use of digital printing or laser engraving can also personalise notebooks in large quantities.

Notebook that was personalised through a name printed in it or a gravure made exclusively for its recipients.

Rubber elastic band serves as a closure for journals. It is firmly anchored in the spine and should not come loose from its fixing, even after frequent opening and closing. The plaited elastic should be of very high quality and have high elasticity and extensibility, so it does not wear out.

Notebook, prepared especially for the planning and implementation of a project. Mostly contains the project plan, milestone overviews and organiser.

Indispensable for good project management is a notebook that accommodates all ideas, dates, data and results in chronological order, so that no information is lost.

A notebook with an advertising message or the design of an advertising campaign on the cover.

Contains a calendar month and year overview, holidays and tax dates, as well as pages for notes.

A good notebook is thread bound and has a solid robust cover. Other quality features can be found here.

Disassembly of a book cover and rebinding it. Notebooks are exposed to severe stresses and can look like new again by rebinding them.

It consists predominantly of recycled paper and therefore deemed to be environmentally friendly and sustainable. In addition, less energy and water are consumed during production. Quality and tensile strength of the paper are enhanced by admixing new fibres. Recycled paper is usually slightly greyer than other types of paper. In the meantime, there is also white recycled paper. These papers normally carry the environmental label "Blue Angel".It consists predominantly of recycled paper and therefore deemed to be environmentally friendly and sustainable. In addition, less energy and water are consumed during production. Quality and tensile strength of the paper are enhanced by admixing new fibres. Recycled paper is usually slightly greyer than other types of paper. In the meantime, there is also white recycled paper. These papers normally carry the environmental label “Blue Angel”.

The New York writer, Paul Auster, has for many years captured events in his life and that of his friends in a red notebook. It involved all events in which chance played a crucial role. The Red Notebook was published in Germany by Rowohlt.

Extra robust, thread-stitched notebooks as permanent companions for journalists. Usually in a handy A6 portrait format, i.e., bound on the short sides.

Notebook for journalists with the outcomes of their research and surveys. Usually in a handy DIN A6 format.

Narrow fabric strip, which is stuck to the top of the book body back and used as an aid for the reader to quickly return to a certain point in the book.

Notebook with spiral binding, for example, Wire-O binding or spiral binding. Has the advantage that individual pages can be removed. The downside is that it is less resilient, in comparison to classic notebooks.

Provides artists, designers, designers or architects space for initial drawings and designs. Important is a fine grain of the paper to draw on it with lead, coal or other materials.

Concept book with a collection of recorded notes, which are used later.

Notebook, which is used by many runners for preparing for a competition, in order to achieve optimal training control. Also ideal for beginners to monitor their progress and to find their right training capacity. Contains entries such as elapsed time and distance, running speed, heart rate, terrain and ground conditions, weather and personal well-being. The data can be analysed and aligned with the training.

German word for the first quick draft of a text, especially in the case of the commercial business book, in which the daily business transactions are entered provisionally in chronological order. The contents of the rough notebook are then transferred in the correct format to the memorial or journal.

Instrument for better self-management, which helps to better plan and carry out events and tasks.

Designation for a special photo album, in which photos are pasted together with stickers or other memorabilia, such as admission tickets are decorated in a collage manner. In scrapbooks, stories and events from one’s own life are told. These photos are portrayed with texts and creative design.

Notebook for appointments, to-do lists, priority lists, shopping lists, contacts and telephone numbers for structuring the personal daily routine and the improvement of self-management.

Notebook with a cover enclosed in silk.

Sketchbooks offer artists, designers, designers or architects space for initial drawings and designs. It is important that the paper has a fine fibrillation for drawing on with lead, coal or other materials.

Container which is used to store a book and is made to fit exactly. The book spine remains openly visible.

A classic among notebooks. Fits in your pocket. For sketching, making notes, drawing and writing. Generally in A5 format and in hardcover.

Opposite of hardcover notebook. It has a flexible cover, without strong cardboard inserts. Can bend and fits, for example, especially well in the pocket, as it adapts its shape and does not press.

Whether a notebook has a round or a straight spine does not alter the quality, but is a purely aesthetic feature. If a colour section is applied, however, a straight back is recommended so as to achieve a smooth cut surface and thus a better effect.

A high-quality stainless steel clip can be used as a penholder and simultaneously as notebook clasp. It can accommodate a laser engraving, for example, the company logo.

Notebooks are generally with only bound two or three staples, which is not very stable and durable. In contrast, Brandbook notebooks feature a complete spinal seam, in which the thread holds about 30 points and envelope layers together. This, besides being a very decorative back seam, was named after an old Singer sewing machine “Singer Stitch”. The advantage here is longer shelf life, no sharp brackets and better appearance.

Elastic closure band to keep the book cover closed.

Individual sign, generally the crest of the owner, which was imprinted on the front cover, from the beginning of the (mid) Renaissance, in order to identify property ownership. Also served to decorate.

Binding method in which the folded sheets of a notebook are sewn together. The individual sheets of the book body can, prior to binding, be stapled as well to the untreated body in order to achieve greater stability. This technique is used especially for books with a hardcover binding. The thread can be colour-matched, which has the advantage of being particularly beautiful viewing open thread binding.

Helps to keep upcoming tasks and appointments occurring within a certain period. Time management consists mainly of self-management. Certain strategies, such as a fixed procedure, a division into sub-tasks, increasing motivation and performance review should help to improve time management.

Notebook for recording training activities and schedules for sports like running, inline skating, Nordic walking, athletics etc.

Notebook for records kept during a trip, for example, in the form of a travel diary for collecting interesting sights, places, addresses or keepsakes. Since the notebook is subjected to some travel hardships, a robust cover is recommended, for example, leather, artificial leather, linen or PU material, as well as of course robust thread-stitching.

A unique or uniquely identifiable object. Even with notebooks, it is now possible to produce one-off pieces, such as through customised or personalised content using digital printing or by individual name pre-printing.

Compared to many conventional giveaways like pens, cups, flashlights or clipboards, a notebook serves as an excellent high quality alternative. It offers significantly more advertising space, provides high quality design with select materials and meticulous workmanship, through techniques such as embossing, screen-printing, painting or cut-outs. It also offers its recipient real value as a place to capture ideas and as an organisational tool.

The Golden Book of a city is kept in the city hall. There, guests of honour of the community enter their names. It often involves heavy, leather-bound folios with gilt edges and gilding on the cover.

This is what the writer and journalist Kurt Tucholsky called his notebook, which he carried with him and used from 1928 to 1935. In reference to the waste books (“Sudelbücher”) by Georg Christoph Lichtenberg, Tucholsky wrote in it his own observations and literary ideas, as well as comments about other people.

All-weather notebook with a cover that withstands the harshest weather conditions. The writing paper can also endure some raindrops.

A mostly wood-free paper that has been impregnated with a white wax or paraffin. The advantage is that it is water and aroma-tight and is used for the packaging of odorous substances or items that are not dry. Also, moisture-sensitive metals, for example, razor blades, are packaged in single-coated wax paper.

Front endpapers are found initially on the inside of the sheet (last page of the first sheet and the first page of the last sheet)

Comes with a decorative frame seam that runs around the envelope. Colour-wise, it is distinctive from the cover.

Brandbook notebooks feature a complete spinal seam, in which the thread holds at least 30 points and envelope layers together. Besides being very decorative, the spinal seam was named after an old Singer sewing machine “Singer Stitch”. The advantage: longer shelf life, no sharp staples and better appearance.

Another name for notebook. Usually with a lined book body.