Paper Republic Notebooks

[elderberry]

Since the brand hasn't been mentioned here yet I guess it's time to post a review (blog readers might know it already). Paper Republic is located in Vienna and has been founded in 2012, they're offering 3 different types of notebooks, one Midori-like passport sized leather notebook with matching refills and two hardcover models called "Noto" in pocket and A5 sizes.

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-edl3bkJmLBA/UhhGXTGaX8I/AAAAAAAAAqw/KgN9-HhEqz4/s1600/PaperRepublic1.JPG

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cn0Xo7ZcLrs/UhhHAjbbaBI/AAAAAAAAArA/1UdSTCpZs9w/s1600/PaperRepublic4.JPG

 

The covers are all made of Japanese hand printed papers and since I had a hard time picking my favorite one I ordered a few A5 sized Notos. They all look amazing and pictures hardly do them justice. The colors are strong yet not loud. Some covers feel smooth, others have an almost textile feel to them.

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-84owYoku_48/UhhGe5y3MqI/AAAAAAAAAq4/IhhQY97q3j0/s1600/PaperRepublic2.JPG

 

Inside there's white 100g/sqm paper made by Munken in Sweden. The paper has a nice texture with a bit of tooth but while being fountain pen friendly per se - there's no bleedthrough, moderate showthrough and no feathering except for very wet and broad nibs -, lines appear a lot wider on this paper than they would on, for instance, Clairefontaine, so a fine nib is advised. Upside is the ink dries very quickly.

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--oPt4z-BZFY/UhhHIVsMT1I/AAAAAAAAArI/NuRm6mJ5mTY/s1600/PaperRepublicInktest.JPG

 

The paper is nice and thick though at a pagecount of 96 - yes, pages, not sheets - the notebooks are rather slim. Binding and covers feel reassuringly firm and durable.

They're also very plain on the inside: no colored end papers or ribbon bookmark, just the Paper Republic logo and the number of the notebook since every design seems to be limited to about 170 pieces (mine are all around 70). They're all about the covers - which are definitely gorgeous.

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DqC5uCmJ-hQ/UhhHSuwB9eI/AAAAAAAAArQ/vUtPU1si9Jg/s1600/PaperRepublic3.JPG

Edited August 29, 2013 by elderberry