Apica Notebook CD-11 lined red (A5)

The Apica C.D. Notebook CD-11 is a slim A5-sized Japanese-made notebook—featuring textured cardboard cover in rich red, sewn binding and 28 sheets of acid-free paper. The 81.4 g/m² paper is smooth and supple, responding to fountain pens with clean ink flow and minimal show-through. Every page features 25 lines at 7 mm spacing plus a free header area for dates or titles.

Features

• Fountain pen-friendly paper (81.4 g/m²): The smooth, lightly finished surface guides fountain pens and gel rollers with even resistance – feathering occurs only rarely, even with wetter nibs, and bleed-through is minimal.
• Acid-free paper: No yellowing over time – notes, sketches and ink samples remain stable and colour-fast for the long term.
• Sewn binding: The sections are stitched, not merely glued. The notebook opens flat and stays open without pages breaking or coming loose.
• Textured softcover in red: The thick cardboard cover feels substantial in the hand – the lightly textured surface has a matt, pleasantly cool feel, and the vibrant red is rich and clear.
• 7 mm ruling with header area: 25 lines per page, spacing designed for standard writing size – generous enough for flowing handwriting, tight enough for compact notes. The free margin at the top accommodates dates, page numbers or key terms.

Use & Tips

• Fountain pens in all nib sizes: The paper handles fine to broad nibs effortlessly. With a stub nib, ink colour stands out clearly; shading is visible, even though the paper lacks the pronounced sheen of Tomoe River.
• Gel rollers and ballpoints: The smooth surface ensures fluid, low-resistance writing – even oil-based ballpoint refills run evenly.
• Ink reviews and writing samples: Those testing inks write samples directly in the notebook and note the nib, date and ink mix in the header area. The narrow format fits into any desk stack.
• Single-subject notebook: With 56 pages, the CD-11 is ideal for a self-contained project, meeting minutes or a month's diary – clear and uncluttered.
• On the go: The thin, lightweight notebook slips into any bag or A5 planner sleeve without adding bulk.
• Pencil: The paper is very smooth – those working with soft pencils (4B+) should ideally place a guard sheet under their writing hand, as the surface can be sensitive to skin oils.

For Paper Enthusiasts

The Apica C.D. Notebook has been made in Japan since 1987 – the paper is sourced from Oji Paper, one of Japan's oldest papermakers. The 81.4 g/m² quality is not document-rated (no DIN-ISO standard for archival ink), but it is acid-free and therefore long-lasting for standard fountain pen inks and pigment inks. The sewn binding uses the Smyth-sewn method: sections are individually folded and then cross-stitched, keeping the binding permanently flexible and enabling complete flat opening – even after repeated opening of the same page.

Technical Specifications