Want to know which bullet journal notebook you should use next? I’ve tried most of them and think this is the best notebook for bullet journaling.
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I’ve really only ever used three different brands of bullet journal notebooks. But, I’ve pen tested and tried most all of the brands on the market.
I’m still missing Lemome and Scribbles that Matter notebook. And while I have wanted to try both, I’ve had to face a few realities:
- I just don’t think I will ever find a notebook that compares to the one I use now.
- I already have so many blank notebooks that I can’t justify buying another one.
Now, some of you may feel the same way about a notebook that you currently use. I know through multiple conversations that the STM notebooks are pure gold and their customer service is unbeatable.
And if you have found that diamond in the rough. That missing puzzle piece. The peanut butter to your jelly notebook, then I might not change your mind. And that’s okay!
Everyone has different opinions about what is best or what makes a notebook great.
But, in case you are looking for a notebook, let me introduce you to my friend, the Nuuna by Brandbook.
Nuuna Notebook Specs and Details
[EDIT 11/19]
I am editing this post because I have been using a Nuuna now for a couple of months and it seems as though most of the old ones are now gone. The new Nuunas have Minken paper and they do not hold up to markers at all.
For this, I no longer endorse this notebook. I still think they are beautiful and have the best cover art of any notebook to date, but the paper has drastically declined in quality. Unfortunately, I will no longer use or purchase from Nuuna unless they decide to change their paper back.
The Nuuna is very unique in comparison with other dot grid notebooks. They don’t follow the standard rules and have broken just about every rule of the typical bullet journal. And it’s one of the reasons they make the best notebook for bullet journaling.
The Nuuna notebook has:
- Brilliant white paper — not the standard cream colored paper. This one simple detail is one of the main reasons that I choose Nuuna over other notebooks.
- Unique cover art — most other brands including Leuchtturm, Lemome, Scribbles that Matter, etc. are pretty standard across the board. They have plain or very minimally designed faux-leather monochromatic covers. Looking through Nuuna’s website, it’s easy to see that their attention to detail and appreciation for art in incomparable.
- 120 gsm Munken paper — Hello watercolor and Tombow markers
! I never knew what a page without ghosting looked like until I got my first Nuuna. But, with that being said, I did have a problem with the newer notebooks (I touch on this below and give you the best fix).
- 3.5mm dot grid spacing — while everyone else is using 5mm dot spacing, Nuuna decided to bend the rules. The dot grid paper looks very different from other brands because of the much smaller dot grid, and it’s a little strange to get used to at first. But after using Nuuna for multiple years of bullet journaling, I’m not sure I want the larger spacing. (Update 9/19: I tried larger spacing again and lasted roughly 3 months. I’m making my way back to my trust Nuuna in October of 2019).
- Minimalistic — there are no fancy gizmos or gadgets in these journals. It wasn’t until recently that they started numbering their pages. There are no pen loops, built in index pages, ribbon bookmarks, elastic closures, or back pockets. I have come to appreciate the simplicity and more bare-bones structure of these notebooks.
- If you want the bright white high-quality paper that Nuuna offers, but still want the gizmos and gadgets, I have a solution! If you reach out to CocoaPaper on Etsy, they can create a journal cover that fits the Nuuna, has all the fancy extras, and can be customized to your liking.
- Bigger is better — A5 is good. A4 is too big. But the Nuuna is perfect. It’s slightly bigger than standard A5 dotted notebooks. It measures 8.5″x6.5″. The added room is nice for weekly and monthly spreads. And it leaves it a little extra room for decorations.
Nuuna Paper Problems
Above, I mentioned that I had run into some issues with my current Nuuna’s paper. In my first Nuuna nothing bled through. I put it through the wringer with watercolor, blending Tombows directly on the page, etc.
But, when I started in my second Nuuna, the paper quality was different. Tombows and Mildliners bled through the paper to the point of almost not being able to use the page underneath. While I have learned to deal with this issue, I was hesitant to continue using their notebooks.
But, I found a solution and just got 2 new Nuuna notebooks in the mail the other day. One for me… and one for the giveaway!
I purchased older versions of the Nuuna, thinking that the paper would be the same as my previous notebook. And after a quick pen test, it turns out I was right. There was no bleeding through and I could barely tell I had scribbled marker on the page behind.
So, the solution? Buy one of the older versions of their notebooks. This means, if you are shopping on the Nuuna website, look for the Graphic L notebooks. Don’t get the L Light. They are newer and in my experience, the paper quality was not great.
But the Shipping to the US is Outrageous!
I know. Cringe. I have a solution for this, too!
In the past, I have ordered my Nuuna notebooks directly from Nuuna in Germany. The shipping cost me more than the actual notebook. Depressing.
So, this time, I decided to look elsewhere and found them in the most peculiar place for a cheaper price.
It sounds a little nuts. But, buy your Nuuna from Amazon UK.
**Update 9/19: You can now purchase Nuuna from Amazon US.
I bought 2 notebooks from Nuuna on Amazon UK. The cost of each notebook was roughly $30 and the cost of shipping both notebooks was right about $10. This is $20 less than I paid for shipping directly from Nuuna.
Granted, they are still pricey notebooks in comparison to their competitors. But, they have more pages and in my opinion, are well worth the extra cost and wait time for shipping.
(Closed) 2019 Bullet Journal Notebook + Setup Giveaway
Update 9/19: This was such a fun giveaway to do and I plan on doing more in the future, right here on The Petite Planner. To ensure you are always up to date with new posts, giveaways, product releases, etc., be sure to subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on social media.
Jan says
Erin, thanks so very much for the chance to win, so kind of you! Good luck everyone!
erinnichols91 says
Thank you, Jan. Good luck!
Barbie McCarty says
Thanks for the opportunity to win this super cool gift!!
erinnichols91 says
Thank you! Good luck!
Liarna Randall says
I’m pretty sure I have the L not LT paper and I still would say it ghosts the same as some other 100gsm notebooks I’ve tried. It costs me $50 to get a Nuuna in Aus, and that’s if I find a store that stocks them, it’s about $60 if I need to have it posted. Not sure I can justify the cost for another one.
erinnichols91 says
I believe that it’s a personal decision and perhaps I’m wrong. However, I have not had any issues with my current L notebook, but I only have the one newer on and cannot honestly speak for all the notebooks created by Nuuna. And you are very right, the cost is very high in comparison to other notebooks. It’s all a matter of personal preference, I suppose. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Have a great day.
Liarna Randall says
Okay so I’m back in a 100gsm for 2019, and maybe my memory was wrong haha. The ghosting is definitely less in the Nuuna, but the notebook I have now, it bleeds less than the Nuuna, if that makes sense.
erinnichols91 says
May I ask what notebook you are using? I’m definitely curious and sure there are other wonderful options out there.
Jan says
I’m interested also. Newbie bujo since Aug 2018 & learned very quickly how important paper is. Beginner’s luck with an unbranded Lemome, 120gsm $8.99 USD, Amazon. I say unbranded because included card to join for discounts pointed to Lemome’s instagram. Since newbie has no idea what she’s doing, I try everything, from dollar store cheapies to tombow/pitt artist pens. Some very light ghosting, slight bleeding mostly with tombow blending brush, but learning, so may not be using it correctly. Thanks for this thread!
Liarna Randall says
I am currently using a Nuuna. I am trying out a Scribbles that Matter B5 journal next year.
On my wishlist to try are also the Lemome Classic which is also 120gsm paper, and an Archer and Olive, which is 160gsm.
I just found an Australian brand that sells 120gsm journals too called Write to Me, so I’m pretty excited to try that out too.
Yasmine Sangaré says
You put something through the wringer, not the ringer. A ringer doesn’t even exist. A wringer was exactly that, a mangle to mechanically wring out your your laundry.
Otherwise nice post and the information about the difference between the Graphic L and the L light notebooks is very helpful.
erinnichols91 says
Thank you, Yasmine. I have changed it. I always appreciate when people let me know of spelling errors, as I’m human and do still make mistakes. So, thank you for helping me make sure my content is high-quality.
I hope you have a wonderful day.
MISS GEMMA NORMAN says
Hi, you have really inspired me. I have been told to give myself tasks /to do list and keep records for medical reasons. Watching your videos is giving me the inspiration to give bullet journaling a try. Not sure where to start yet but you have really helped. Thank you x
erinnichols91 says
Yay! I am so glad to hear this! I hope the system helps you. Please let me know if you have any questions.