Match the pages to the work
Choose between lined, plain or other page layouts by considering what people need to record. Leave enough usable space for writing rather than covering every page with campaign messages. If the notebook includes printed information, distinguish permanent reference material from content that may become outdated. Ask to see an actual page sample, since a cover photograph says little about the writing experience.
Try the notebook with the kind of pen expected to accompany it. Observe legibility, the appearance of writing on the reverse side and whether the page turns comfortably. These observations apply to the sample tested; they should not become unsupported claims about every paper or pen. Record the selected page specification so a later notebook substitution is checked against the same requirements.
Check size, opening and everyday handling
Compare the notebook’s external dimensions with the bag or desk where it will live. A format that is comfortable for a workshop table may be awkward for quick standing notes. Open the sample at the beginning, middle and end. Notice how it sits, how the cover feels and whether accessories such as an elastic closure or pen loop actually support the intended use.
For Arabic and English users, review the page orientation and cover treatment with the relevant team. Do not assume the same arrangement works equally well for every writing habit. Confirm where a bookmark, pocket or loop sits when the notebook is used. Additional features should be checked as functional details, not listed as advantages simply because they appear in the product description.
Worked hypothetical example: a client workshop
Imagine a workshop where participants alternate between short notes and drawn diagrams. This is a hypothetical planning example, not a quotation. The team compares a compact lined notebook with a larger plain-page version. They use a sample exercise to test both, then choose the format that accommodates the actual activity. The logo moves to a restrained cover position, leaving the pages available for participants’ work.
Document the cover colour, page layout, quantity and branding reference together. If a pen is included, test its fit in the packaging and any loop. Keep the approved artwork at its intended size so the final review is about the real object, not an enlarged logo viewed on screen.
Examples from the Brandkom catalogue
- ARCONOT LINED A5 notebook (MO1804) Its 96 lined sheets and elastic closure suit meeting notes. Try writing on both sides with the pen you plan to give.
- NOVA A5 portfolio with pen (KC6856) Compare this with a standalone notebook when workshop participants need a pen as soon as they arrive.
Before you move forward
- Choose the page layout for the actual writing task.
- Test the sample with the intended accompanying pen.
- Check opening, carrying dimensions and useful writing space.
- Review language orientation and the position of accessories.
- Approve the cover artwork at its real printed size.
Common questions
Is a thicker notebook always a better gift?
Not necessarily. More pages can add weight and bulk without improving the intended task. Consider how long the notebook is meant to be used and how it will be carried. Compare the complete specification rather than judging value only by thickness.
Should we print the company message on every page?
Only if it serves the user without reducing useful writing space. A short introduction or a discreet page element may be enough. Test readability and visual balance, especially when the notebook must support both practical notes and a clear brand identity.
Ready to turn the brief into a shortlist? Explore the catalogue or start a project in Brandkom’s free Gift Design Studio.