MD Product Notebook blank (A5)

The MD Notebook blank in A5 is the core product of the MD Product line – and its centerpiece is the paper. The cream-colored, 80 g/m² MD paper was developed in the 1960s and has been continuously refined ever since: smooth surface, quick ink absorption, no smudging, no bleeding through. The thread binding with visible spine keeps the notebook flat across its entire length – from the first to the last page.

Special Features

• MD paper, 80 g/m², cream-colored: The slightly warm tone reduces contrast to black or blue strokes, making the writing appear calmer and clearer. The smooth, yet uncoated surface allows fountain pen nibs to glide evenly – without the waxy resistance of calendered paper.
• Ink resistance: The paper is neither prone to feathering (no fraying of ink edges) nor bleeding through – both sides of a sheet can be fully utilized.
• Thread binding with open spine: The sheets are folded into 16-page signatures and thread-sewn. The bookbinding gauze spine remains visible, no stiff cover presses against it – the book lies completely flat at 180°.
• Blank format: No grid, no lines – the full page is available for free writing, sketching, layout design, and lettering.
• Glassine cover: The notebook is protected by a semi-transparent paper jacket. When you design the cover yourself – with stamps, drawings, or pasted elements – the result remains visible through the glassine and is simultaneously protected.
• Ribbon bookmark and index stickers: A bound ribbon marks the current page, supplied stickers allow easy labeling and categorization of the notebook.
• Good Design Award 2008

Application & Tips

• Fountain pens and liquid ink rollers: MD paper flows particularly harmoniously with wet to medium-wet nibs – fine to medium-width writing nibs produce clear, sharp lines without feathering. Broad nibs clearly show ink shading. Those who write with highly pigmented or iron gall-based inks: ink absorbs quickly, color nuances show up beautifully.
• Fineliners and pencils: The smooth surface allows precise technical drawing, fine illustration lines, and clean typography. Pencil erases well without roughing up the paper.
• Lettering and calligraphy: Broad nibs and parallel nibs glide smoothly across MD paper. Quick ink absorption prevents smudging when turning pages – important when using large amounts of ink.
• Journal and collage: Blank pages are suitable for combinations of text, drawing, pasted elements, and photos. Pasted materials adhere well to uncoated paper. The flat opening allows double-sided layouts without centerline loss.
• Cover and personalize: The uncoated paper cover can be designed directly with stamps, watercolor, or inks. The glassine subsequently protects your design.

For Paper Enthusiasts

MD paper is not a calendered, high-gloss paper – its surface has a fine, natural texture that feels slightly textured under the nib without resistance. This characteristic makes it particularly interesting for fountain pens with more open nibs (M, B, Stub) that need some paper resistance for defined ink delivery. Very wet nibs or flex nibs with broad strokes also perform well, as the paper binds ink quickly without lateral bleeding. Not archival – fountain pen inks can fade over time in light; pigment-based inks are recommended for archival records. The rebranding from "MD Paper Products" to "MD Product" affects packaging and brand presentation; paper, binding, and format remain unchanged.

Technical Data