Having a composition notebook in black and white seems like an odd choice. However, there are several reasons why you might want to choose this type of notebook.
Wide-ruled vs primary ruled
Unlike the classic composition notebook with its sewn pages and black and white cover, modern editions come in all sorts of colors and styles. They are great for keeping track of notes and ideas. Some even resist ink bleed. They are also durable enough to withstand heavy use. These are the notebooks of choice for students, parents, and teachers alike.
While the wide-ruled paper has a slew of benefits, the primary ruled notebook may be a better bet for younger writers and those learning to write. They also come in a variety of sizes, ranging from the oh so standard 8.5 by 11 inches to the small-format 8.5 by 5.5 inches. Aside from the obvious benefits, they are also convenient and portable. This is especially true for kids who travel from home to school and back.
If you need more sizes of custom composition notebooks, there are some manufacturers below that you may be interested in.
Pseudo marbling
Several years ago, I was experimenting with marbled composition notebooks. I’m not sure I was completely successful. However, I was able to make some pretty cool designs and it’s fun to look back at them.
Marbled composition notebooks have been around for a while now. The first notebooks to have marbling patterns were printed in France and Germany in the 19th century. Today, you can buy several brands that mimic the look and feel of marbled paper.
The marbled composition notebook is a great way to jot down your notes and keep a journal. You can purchase marbled composition notebooks in a wide variety of styles and sizes. They’re a great gift for someone you know. There are even marbled composition books that are perfect for sketching.
If you’re interested in creating marbled composition notebooks, you’ll need to do a bit of research. The design has been around for centuries, but manufacturers started emulating it in the 20th century.
Durability
Traditionally, composition notebooks have been black and white marbled. However, new and unique designs are available. These notebooks are made with 100% recycled paper, soy ink, and fun prints. They are not completely different from composition notebooks, but their unique designs make them stand out from the crowd.
If you’re looking for a durable one-subject composition book, check out the Pacon(r) Junior Composition Book. This sturdy, hardcover book includes 100 sheets for note taking and essay writing. It’s ideal for jotting down class notes, homework, and grammar assignments. It also features a handy class schedule on the inside front cover.
AmazonBasics Wide Ruled Composition Notebook is also wide ruled, but it has a more robust cardstock cover. This notebook is designed for durability, and it comes in plain black, as well as four other colors. It’s also FSC certified, and the pages are stitched together.
Fay’s Remake
Despite being a ubiquitous stationery item, black and white marbled composition notebooks haven’t changed much over the last two centuries. However, that’s not stopping Pentagram designer Aron Fay from revamping the popular notebook. The resulting Comp notebook uses modern bookbinding techniques and premium materials.
Fay’s remake is available through a Kickstarter campaign. In four days, the campaign raised $37,712 for the notebook. The campaign is aimed at educating consumers about the history of the notebook and showcasing images of notebooks throughout history.
The notebook’s black and white marbled pattern was originally used by artists in the 18th and 19th centuries. Artists would blow on pigments to create swirling patterns. Marbled paper was also used in paper-covered books.
Today, Roaring Spring Paper Products sells 2 million notebooks a year. The company’s marbled pattern looks very similar to the 1930s version. It’s still one of the most popular composition notebooks in the United States. The company says there was never any pressure to change the design.