If you’re looking for a new notebook I really would give the MD Paper notebook a try. I loved the minimal design, the simple cover is very aesthetically pleasing. As I mentioned it was designed for writing and I enjoyed the experience of using it.

So in this post, I’m going to review the A5 gridded MD Paper notebook and explain how it has become one of my favourite notebooks. ABOUT MIDORII guess I should explain this story a little more. I was browsing a few stationery shops online when I came across the MD Paper notebook. At the time I was looking for a new notebook and thought this could be a contender. The MD Paper range is sold in the London Graphics Center so when I was in the area, I decided to take a trip to have a look at the notebook in person. With the assumption that I would buy one. The notebook has a sturdy thread binding that lies flat when open, making it easy to write. It also comes with a ribbon marker to keep your place. The cover is not a typical notebook cover. To feature the charm of the paper itself, the cloth tape used to bind the spine, usually hidden by a cover, is exposed, giving the notebook a unique look. You can even see where the ribbon marker is glued in place. Note: this notebook is the same as the Midori MD Notebook with model number 13804006, except for the paper band design. Firstly, I prefer the cover of the MD Paper notebook. I know I complained about having to buy a separate cover earlier, it sits somewhere between a hardcover notebook and the softcover. I think I preferred having a notebook which was sturdier than a softcover but still had some give to it.

The outer design of the notebook is very simple with the binding visible on the spine. I think there is something quite pleasing about these design choices. It enhances the simplicity of the notebook rather than adding embellishments to the cover. I think it’s really difficult to say which notebook is the best. I love both the MD Paper and the Leuchtturm. But I enjoyed the experience of using the MD Paper notebook more. Which I guess is the whole point because it was designed to be an enjoyable experience. FINALLY Midori MD Notebooks open flat thanks to their thread-stitch binding and feature fountain pen ink friendly paper throughout the range. This particular notebook is the A5, ruled paper English-language version. Recognising the importance of the quality of the paper used to record memories, thoughts and ideas by notebook users, Midori spent years honing its paper in pursuit comfortable writing, ink resistance and anti-transparency.Made in Japan, this simple notebook was designed to create a writing experience that you will enjoy. The high-quality Midori Diary (MD) paper inside was developed in 1960 and has been continuously improved on ever since. Midori has conducted many tests using a variety of writing instruments to inspect the paper quality, including observing whether the ink feathers or bleeds, how it dries, how well the pen tips glide across the surface, how the paper feels to the touch, and so on. As a result, the paper is bleed-resistant, feather-resistant, and fountain-pen friendly, giving the user a pleasant writing experience. The grid ruling on the paper features open squares, with markings along the top and side margins to help count the squares. Made in Japan, this simple notebook was designed to create a writing experience that you will enjoy. The high-quality Midori Diary (MD) paper inside was developed in 1960 and has been continuously improved on ever since. Midori has conducted many tests using a variety of writing instruments to inspect the paper quality, including observing whether the ink feathers or bleeds, how it dries, how well the pen tips glide across the surface, how the paper feels to the touch, and so on. As a result, the paper is bleed-resistant, feather-resistant, and fountain-pen friendly, giving the user a pleasant writing experience. MD Paper consists of a range of products owned by Midori. Midori is one of Japan’s most well-known stationery design companies and has been operating since the 1950s. You might recognise Midori as the company who created the Traveller’s Journal range. I went on to try a number of different calligraphy inks in the MD Paper notebook. It turns out that the Dr PH Martin metallic inks worked particularly well thought they take longer than usual to dry.

The MD Notebooks come in two types of paper. The MD Paper Cream and MD Paper Cotton. When the MD Paper range was originally created the notebooks were only available with white paper. This was the same paper used with the Midori diaries. I wasn’t doing anything special. I treated my notebook the exact same as I would any other. But this cover ended up looking far shabbier than I would expect. This is especially annoying since I had to buy it separately. One of the best things about having such high-quality paper in the MD Paper notebook was when it came time for me to try out art materials in the notebook. As I made my way through the notebook I began using it almost as a sketchbook. I used this notebook for six months as a bullet journal and as I mentioned in other posts, I think the design of this notebook really helped me keep a bullet journal. The minimal design made it something I enjoyed using. MD Notebooks are not to be confused with the Midori Traveler's Notebook. Both are made by Midori. While the notebooks are quite different, although the MD paper found in these Midori MD notebooks is the same paper used in the Midori Traveler's Notebook.

Considering how thin the paper is I didn’t think it would hold up well to wet media. It was surprising to learn that it worked very well. I began experimenting with calligraphy in my bullet journal, using it to create headers for my monthly logs. Note: this notebook is the same as the Midori MD Notebook with model number 15003006, except for the paper band design.