Help me find a legal paper notebook

November 30, 2011 4:08 PM

Help me find the right kind of notepad or sketchpad. Difficulty: a different request from everyone else who has ever asked this question. I'm looking for a notebook that is roughly legal sized without any lines, rules, or grids.

A while back, I started writing notes at work on loose-leaf legal paper. It's basically unlined copy paper, but in a legal size. I've gotten really used to using it, and now I have a hard time writing notes on anything other than a legal size of paper.

I usually sketch my notes with the paper arranged horizontally. This works nicely as a way to draft a PowerPoint slide or draw a diagram, but with the extra size I still have plenty of margin for writing notes, sketches, or other ideas.

The problem is now I have dozens of loose legal papers all over the place. What I need is a notebook, sketchpad, or journal - but in a legal size. Plus I want it unruled (no lines, grids, or blots) with a nice quality paper designed for writing and not drawing.

If legal is too weird, I'm open to other paper sizes that are roughly the same size. I will say that letter and A4 are probably too small and A3 seems way to large.

posted by fremen to Shopping (8 answers total)

Apologies for possibly being captain obvious, but since you already have paper you like, and it's big, why don't you just hole-punch the legal size copy paper and stick it in a binder of some kind? Plus then you can file it, you don't have to worry about notebook failure, no ratty edges, etc.
posted by jeb at 4:15 PM on November 30, 2011

Rhodia Pad 19 is darn close to what you're looking for. It's 8 1/2 x 12 1/2 - they call it "A4+".
posted by brand-gnu at 4:23 PM on November 30, 2011

jeb, no need to apologize. It's a legitimate suggestion, and it's my Plan B.
posted by fremen at 4:41 PM on November 30, 2011

Call a printshop. A guy I knew at a Speedy Print would create a pad out of whatever paper you wanted. If you want a box of pads, on 84lb legal unlined paper, sturdy back, glued (or other binding), go visit and ask. They will know what you're looking for, and may suggest certain enhancements to such a notepad.
posted by China Grover at 4:51 PM on November 30, 2011

There's also a nice landscape-format legal binder to be found over at 11x17.com. The translucent one looks pretty classy. I also happen to be in this market so I'll watch the thread. :-) Lots of sketched-upon legal paper around here starting to clutter things up.
posted by circular at 5:00 PM on November 30, 2011

Got a copy shop near you? A Staples? Just go in with 100 to 200 (or whatever you want) of the paper that you like and have them throw a coil binding on it. You may need to cut down a sheet of bristol board to size for a front and back cover as they don't have a lot (any?) in legal size.
posted by saradarlin at 8:00 PM on November 30, 2011

China Grover is right, and that's pretty much what I came to say.

Getting paper cut and padded (glued at the top with cardboard as the last sheet) is very inexpensive, and only adds a few cents to the raw cost of the paper itself. Not only is it economical, but you're willing to have 100 or more made at a time, this can actually be LESS expensive than buying premade pads at a Staples or other retail outlet. Be sure to ask about price points on quantity.

And call a real (local) independent print shop, not "the kid at the desk at Office Max".
posted by rokusan at 10:06 PM on November 30, 2011

Circa by Levenger - DIY it.

http://www.levenger.com/PAGETEMPLATES/NAVIGATION/Products.asp?Params=category=326|level=2|pageid=1749
posted by tilde at 9:40 AM on December 1, 2011