MD Product Notebook lined (A5)

The MD Notebook A5 by MD Product is consistently designed around the act of writing: no hardcover, no frills – instead, cream-colored MD Paper in thread binding, opening flat to 180 degrees. The 70 g/m² paper has been continuously refined since the 1960s and is today one of the most thoroughly fountain pen ink-tested writing papers from Japanese production. The slightly warm, eye-friendly cream tone and the smooth yet non-slippery surface create a distinctive writing feel – the slight resistance of the pen on the paper is intentionally designed in.

Special Features

• MD Paper Cream, 70 g/m², acid-free: The cream-white surface is specially tuned for fountain pen ink – no feathering of lines, no bleeding through to the back. Gel pens, rollerball pens, and pencils also run reliably on this surface.
• Thread binding, opens flat to 180°: 16-page signatures are sewn with thread; the spine with visible netting tape remains flexible. The notebook lies flat on both sides of a spread – without the binding pressing or pages springing back.
• Ruling with center line: Pages are ruled at 7 mm intervals, each page divided into two halves by a slightly bolder center line. This enables more structured notes on a single page or working in landscape format across the entire spread.
• Parchment cover instead of hardcover: The notebook comes without a rigid binding – the paraffin paper cover protects the interior while lying lightly in your hand. Optionally, it can be replaced or supplemented with MD protective sleeves.
• Visible skeleton spine: The netting tape is not hidden but deliberately left visible – a design feature that shows binding and material as part of the object.
• Ribbon bookmark and index stickers: A ribbon bookmark to thread at the spine, plus writable index stickers in two types (label and bookplate format) for shelf archiving.

Application & Tips

• Fountain pens and wet inks: MD Paper handles water-based inks without feathering. With very wet fountain pen ink combinations – such as broad nibs or highly fluid inks – allow the page to dry completely before turning. The paper is not archival-rated.
• Center line as structural aid: The bolder center line can be used as a dividing line for two separate entries – e.g., date at the top, keywords at the bottom – or as a reference point for tables and sketches that span both halves.
• Spread as writing surface: Thanks to the fully flat-opening binding, the entire spread (420 × 148 mm) can be used as a continuous surface – for mind maps, longer text drafts, or layouts.
• Keep the parchment cover: After filling, the paraffin paper sheet protects the finished notebook on the shelf from friction and dust. The included index stickers make it easier to find in the archive.
• Add a protective sleeve: The notebook is compatible with MD protective sleeves in cardboard, PVC, or leather – these are sold separately and enable more durable handling on the go.

For Paper Enthusiasts

MD Paper is a proprietary development by MD Product, tested internally since the 1960s – including ink flow, drying behavior, pen smoothness, and tactile feedback. The result is paper with a deliberately calibrated surface: neither glassy smooth nor rough, but with a perceptible micro-resistance that provides feedback to the writing pen. The thread binding of 16-page signatures keeps pages permanently bound together even after intensive use – significantly more durable than adhesive binding. The notebook received the Good Design Award 2008.

Technical Specifications