MD Product Notebook grid (A5)

The MD Notebook in A5 format is the grid model of the MD Product line – a notebook series that has continuously refined MD Paper since the 1960s. The grid is based on the Japanese Genko-Yoshi tradition: 5mm squares with light blue lines and discrete count marks at the margins. The cover made of glassine paper reveals the binding and natural paper texture – the notebook shows what it's made of.

Features

• MD Paper, 90 g/m²: Cream-colored, smooth writing paper specifically designed for fountain pens. Fountain pen ink flows evenly without fraying or bleeding through – the writing remains clean and sharp-edged, even with broader nibs or wet inks.
• 5mm grid, light blue: The pale blue lines organize your writing without visually dominating the page. Count marks every five and ten squares make it easy to structure tables, layouts, and diagrams. The grid is based on the Japanese Genko-Yoshi writing pad – open squares instead of closed boxes.
• Thread binding, opens flat at 180°: The sewn thread binding keeps the notebook completely flat when opened, without needing to hold pages. Ideal for two-page spreads and relaxed writing across the full page width.
• Visible muslin spine: The backbone binding tape made of woven cotton fabric is intentionally left exposed. It gives the notebook its characteristic, handcrafted appearance – while making the binding supple and durable.
• Ribbon bookmark: A sewn fabric ribbon reliably marks the current page without stressing the paper.
• Glassine cover: The translucent protective cover made of glassine paper shields the notebook from dirt and can be kept as a wrapper or replaced with a separately available MD Cover.
• Index stickers: Included stickers (including IDEA, DIARY, and blank fields for labeling) allow you to label and categorize volumes on your shelf.

Application & Tips

• Fountain pens and ink colors: MD Paper responds particularly well to fountain pens with medium to fine nibs. Water-based fountain pen inks dry slightly slower than on heavily sized papers – with left-handed writing or wet inks, brief drying time is recommended. With inks that show sheening or shading, the color play on MD Paper is particularly striking.
• Bullet journaling and planning: The 5mm grid with count marks every five squares makes it easy to create monthly calendars, habit trackers, and page layouts without tedious measuring. Two A5 pages opened side-by-side create a clear weekly spread.
• Sketches and technical drawings: The combination of a flat-opening binding and barely perceptible pale grid makes the notebook a reliable drawing surface – pencil, fine-liner, and pigment ink work just as well as fountain pen ink.
• Archiving: The index stickers on the cover make completed volumes instantly recognizable on the shelf. The stable thread binding holds the notebook together even after years of frequent consultation.
• Cover design: The unmarked, matte glassine cover invites your own creative design – stamps, watercolor, or simply place an MD Cover over it.

For Paper Enthusiasts

MD Paper was developed in the 1960s by Designphil (now MD Product) as a proprietary design for optimal writing comfort and has been continuously improved ever since. At 90 g/m², it falls in the upper range of classic writing papers: heavy enough to prevent ink bleed-through even with wet fountain pen inks, yet light enough that a filled notebook remains easy to handle. The cream-colored tone reduces eye strain during extended writing sessions. The grid is designed according to the Genko Yoshi principle – the open squares with count marks come from Japanese writing tradition, where characters are precisely positioned and counted. For calligraphers working with East Asian scripts, the format offers a direct cultural reference.

Specifications