A fine list for stationery junkies
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Editor’s note: Our Buy section is your trusty instalment of recommendations for useful and delightful things. This community-sourced list—which we publish once a month—is designed to save you from unreliable online reviews and glorified Insta ads. You can count instead on the collective wisdom of our wise and experienced subscribers:) This month’s theme: The sickest stationery in your kit—think hand-made papers, pens and pencils, envelopes, notebooks and diaries, planners, letterhead papers, etc.
Fave notebook, planner or personal diary
Odd Giraffe: Joyjayanti has started preferring notebooks from this brand over the last few years. She likes that the designs are “simple and clean with a dash of quirky.” Plus, Odd Giraffe lets you personalise the products by adding your name to the cover! (Price: Rs 899)
Curry Studio Shop: This is a Kolkata-based brand. Shreya likes them because: “It’s so fun. All their notebooks are cheeky and provocative and I love them.” She highly recommends the Political Pout Notebook and we can understand why. Lol. Shruti and Viraj both call them “personality accessories.”(Price: Rs. 250)
Ayush Paper: Maitrey gives a shout out to this Aurangabad-based brand of small paper makers. They vouch that the paper is fountain pen-friendly. Also, they have pocket-friendly notebook options, plus dot grid tear-off notebooks, which are always handy. (Rs 299)
Atelier Neorah: Monica Pillai recommends this Madurai-based business which has been making soft and hard case notebooks since 1969. The notebooks and planners are available in many pop colours. Monica says, “My journals get banged about a fair bit and haven't lost shape.” (Prince range: Rs 299 to Rs 899)
Bonus mention: She also loves to buy from Endless for “some thought out journals.” These look sleek and convenient but are definitely on the higher end. (Price: 8,850)
Moleskine: Any Harry Potter fans in the house? Though this Italian brand can burn a hole in your pocket, look at these glow in the dark covers! Overall, it gives off a magical vibe. (Price: €200 or Rs 18,500)
Want more notebooks, journals and planners?
- Artful Stationery Co.: Our subscriber Sri owns this brand. She considers herself a “certified notebook addict” and has created notebooks with really thick 120gsm papers.
- Origin One: This brand has a sleek collection of notebooks. Aditi loves them for the aesthetics!
- Menorah: Monica loves their art journals.
- Purple Ruckus Bindery: This insta store has a gorgeous collection of handmade paper and books.
- Doodle: Saumya says they have a variety and designs of notebooks and writing pads and make a great option for gifting.
Fave pen/pencil to write with
Lamy: This is a German brand with a premium offering of ballpoint, fountain and rollerball pens and more. Though they are expensive, Shreyansh loves writing with them and Namitha assures that they are “so so so worth it.” Below is a fountain pen which is worth Rs 33,300. (Price range: Rs 2,000 - Rs 40,000)
Inks for fountain pens: Endless's Alchemy and the iconic home-grown Krishna Inks have a great line of inks.
Nappa Dori: Check out this Delhi-based brand which sells notebooks and pencils! They have classy pencils in a set of 6 or 10 and diary covers with slots for carrying them. Manije loves it for its “super quality.” (Rs 335 for a set of 6)
Hauser ball pens: For ball pen enthusiasts, Sri recommends these because they’re “really really smooth to write with” and most importantly “doesn't leak.” (Rs 200)
Sakura Pigma Micron pens from Canvazo: Our ex-colleague Arunima loves these pens because they have the “smoothest ink, real old-school black ink feel, but very modern.” These also can be bought in various nib sizes. We’re sold! (Price: Rs 100)
Want more pens?
- Muji: Their pens have “excellent ink” and glide smoothly over handmade and thicker GSM paper.
- William Penn: Here’s a Bangalore based premium pens aggregator which is Monica’s “go-to for pens from the pre e & q-commerce era.” You can go to the store and try the different models with varying nib thickness options. The brands include Sailor, Montblanc, Cross and even Lamy!
Fave letter-writing or other papers, envelopes
Jai Vakeel Foundation: This NGO has stunning gift cards. Manije likes them for gift cards. The standouts are the ones made with animal cut out designs—as you can see below. (Rs 235)
Chimanlal’s: at Fort, Mumbai is a handmade paper store that has been around since the 1950s. They do everything from gift wrapping paper to greeting cards, but their letter paper sets (in the image below) are our favourite. (Price: starts at Rs 116 for a pack of 10 sheets and 10 envelopes)
Need more suggestions?
- Anand Stationers: at Khan Market, New Delhi is a handmade paper store. Their products have a vintage and rustic feel to them.
- Printo: Bangalore residents would be familiar with this brand. Apart from printing and binding, Printo has a great collection of papers and envelopes. Manije prefers them because they can customise it. And it makes for a great gifting option! (Rs 20 for each letter head or customised envelope print)
Want more recommendations?
- Anand Prakash: Sweta suggests this homegrown brand who sell everything from pencil charms to bookmarks to diaries. She likes them for the “understated, elegant and classy” designs which are great for gifting.
- Kokuyo: This Japanese brand is known for its office stationery. So anyone who loves Japanese stationery knows where to go now!
- Art for Akanksha: This NGO also has a bright and colourful collection of pouches, gift bags and cards (see the image below). (Price: Rs 635 for diaries designed by the children supported by the foundation)
