What Paper Format Should You Use? Grid, Dot, Lined or Blank?
When you open a new notebook, there's a quiet kind of promise waiting — the texture of the paper, the way your pen glides, the soft echo of your thoughts finding a place to rest.
But before that first page is filled, there’s a decision to make: what kind of paper will hold your words best?
In the world of Japanese stationery, you’ll often find four beloved formats: grid, dotted, lined, and blank. Each one carries its own charm, inviting a different rhythm of creativity. Let’s explore their personalities together.
Grid Paper
For lovers of order and quiet precision.
With softly etched squares guiding your hand, grid paper offers the comfort of structure. It’s perfect for sketching out a day’s plan, tidying up thoughts, or creating delicate charts.
Whether you write vertically or horizontally (or both, as many do in Japan), this format keeps things beautifully aligned.
You might enjoy this if you...
- Love balance and symmetry
- Like to journal with both words and visuals
- Feel soothed by gentle structure
The 3 Best Grid Paper Notebooks from Japan
1. Kokuyo Campus Smart Campus Series – Grid Style
You can choose either 10mm square grid or 5mm square grid (with 10mm solid line).
Why it stands out:
A staple in Japanese schools and universities, the Kokuyo Campus Smart Campus series offers grid paper with just the right balance of structure and openness. The 5mm grid is light enough not to distract from your writing but present enough to guide diagrams, notes, and graphs. Its smooth paper resists bleed-through and is perfect for both pen and pencil users. Thoughtful margin lines also help organize your layouts naturally.
2. Midori MD Notebook – Grid
Why it stands out:
Minimalist yet premium, the Midori MD Notebook with grid paper features 5mm pale blue-gray squares printed on high-quality MD paper. It’s beloved by fountain pen users for its exceptional smoothness and resistance to feathering or bleed. The subtle grid gives visual balance without interrupting creative or professional flow—making it perfect for bullet journaling, list-making, or light sketching.
3. Tsubame Note Notebook – Grid Type
Why it stands out:
Tsubame notebooks are a quiet classic in the Japanese stationery world. Known for their premium writing paper and traditional binding, the Tsubame Grid Notebook features a 5mm grid on smooth, acid-free paper. The understated grid lines and elegant craftsmanship make it a favorite among those who value both aesthetics and function.
Ideal for academic notes, journaling, or thoughtful everyday writing.
Dot Grid Paper
A soft suggestion, never a rule.
Dotted grid paper feels like a whisper on the page — just enough to guide, never enough to limit. It’s a favorite among bullet journalers for good reason: it gently supports creativity, letting grids form when needed, or vanish into freeform expression.
You might enjoy this if you...
- Like freedom with a bit of guidance
- Enjoy creating your own layouts
- Find beauty in quiet versatility
The 3 Best Dotted Notebooks from Japan
1. Kokuyo SOFTRING notebook – Dot Grid
Why it stands out:
With its gentle, flexible rings and smooth, high-quality paper, the Kokuyo SOFTRING Notebook is a joy to use—but it’s the dot grid layout that makes it truly versatile. The evenly spaced dots provide subtle structure without getting in the way, making it perfect for bullet journaling, diagrams, charts, or neatly aligned notes. Whether you're sketching ideas or planning your week, this notebook adapts to your style—quietly and beautifully.
2. MD Notebook Journal – Dot Grid (Midori)
Why it stands out:
The MD Notebook Light Dot Grid combines minimalist design with outstanding paper quality. Its 5mm dot grid is gentle on the eyes, helping guide writing and sketches without crowding the page. The creamy MD paper is suitable for fountain pens, gel pens, and pencils, and the notebook’s lightweight format makes it easy to carry and use on the go. It’s perfect for freeform journaling, lists, or quiet reflection.
3. Stalogy 365 Days Notebook – Dot Grid
Why it stands out:
Though subtle, the Stalogy 365 Days Notebook features a dot grid layout that blends seamlessly into the background. Designed for daily use, its lightly printed dots support structure without demanding attention—making it perfect for bullet journaling, scheduling, or idea sketching. With 368 ultra-thin, high-quality pages, it’s made for those who write a little (or a lot) every day.
Lined Paper
For storytellers and steady thinkers.
Lined paper is the classic. There's something grounding about those neat horizontal tracks, ready to catch a waterfall of words. It’s ideal for long-form journaling, letter-writing, or studying — anything where your thoughts just need room to flow.
You might enjoy this if you...
- Love journaling or storytelling
- Prefer clear lines and gentle order
- Want a familiar rhythm under your pen
The 3 Best Lined Paper Notebooks from Japan
1. Kokuyo Campus Notebook – Lined (Standard Series)
Why it stands out:
A true classic, the Kokuyo Campus Notebook is widely used by students and professionals alike. Its ruled lines are clean and softly printed, with versions offering extra features like title lines, margins, or color-coded covers. The paper is smooth, lightweight, and performs well with most pens—even gel ink—making it perfect for lecture notes, meeting minutes, or everyday writing. It’s reliable, accessible, and well-designed for structured thinking.
2. Apica CD Notebook – Lined
Why it stands out:
Elegant and understated, the Apica CD Notebook offers beautifully lined pages on ultra-smooth, fountain pen-friendly paper. Its 7mm rule spacing and vintage cover design make it feel polished, while the silky paper elevates the writing experience. Ideal for professionals, writers, or anyone who appreciates a notebook with a timeless feel and refined detail.
3. Tsubame Note Notebook – Lined
Why it stands out:
Known for its signature acid-free "Tsubame paper", this notebook offers a unique writing experience. The Tsubame Lined Notebook features lightly ruled pages and traditional thread binding that lies flat for easy writing. It’s particularly favored by those who value craftsmanship, longevity, and the feeling of writing on paper that’s made to last. A great match for essay writing, journaling, or long-form planning.
Blank Paper
The purest invitation.
No lines, no rules — just a wide, open page. Blank paper gives you space to dream, doodle, sketch, or spill out ideas without boundaries. It can be bold or quiet, filled or minimal. However it’s used, it always begins with openness.
You might enjoy this if you...
- Love to draw, paint, or collage
- Prefer expressive layouts
- See the page as a canvas
The 3 Best Blank Paper Notebooks from Japan
1. MD Notebook – Blank (Midori)
Why it stands out:
The Midori MD Notebook – Blank is beloved for its open format and exceptional paper quality. Its smooth, creamy MD paper is perfect for fountain pens, colored pencils, or sketches. The lack of lines or grids makes it a true blank canvas—ideal for freeform journaling, illustrations, or mind maps. Minimalist in design, the notebook lays flat and encourages quiet, thoughtful expression.
2. LIFE Noble Note – Blank
Why it stands out:
Crafted with elegance and care, the LIFE Noble Note offers blank pages with a luxurious, slightly textured writing surface. The archival-quality paper is resistant to feathering and bleed-through, making it a favorite among fountain pen users. Its vintage cover design adds a touch of sophistication, making it perfect for creative writing, sketching, or refined personal journaling.
3. Kokuyo Sketch Book – Blank
Why it stands out:
Ideal for quick ideas, doodles, or expressive visuals, the Kokuyo Sketch Book offers sturdy blank pages that handle a variety of media—from pencil and pen to light watercolor. Its lightweight yet durable format makes it great for artists, students, and note-takers who want freedom from structure. A wonderful everyday sketchbook for spontaneous inspiration.
A Gentle Guide
If you’re still wondering where to begin, here’s a soft suggestion:
- Enjoy bullet journaling? Try Dotted or Grid
- Love to write stories or notes? Try Lined
- Create visual art or collages? Try Blank
- Work with planning or diagrams? Try Grid
Let Your Pen Decide
There’s no perfect answer — only what feels good in your hand, your thoughts, your rhythm. Whether your pages are filled with delicate lists, swirling sketches, or quiet reflections, the right paper becomes a companion.
In each ZenPop stationery box, ZenPop Paper Treasures Box and our stationery store, we include thoughtfully chosen paper goods so you can explore new textures and formats — some familiar, others waiting to surprise you. Until then, may your pages be gentle and your pen always ready.
