Custom A5 stitch-bound notebooks for indie illustrators making sketchbook merch, brand teams producing journals for retail or events, music labels selling tour journals, and anyone whose product line includes a real, well-made notebook (not a flimsy promo giveaway). A5 is 5.8" × 8.3" — the most common journal and sketchbook size, big enough for real writing or sketching, small enough to throw in a bag.
Alchemy is a production partner built by artists, musicians, and brand owners. We've helped creators produce over 5 million custom products since 2019, and we don't operate like a promotional products company. Whether you're an indie illustrator running your first 50-piece drop, a band making merch for a tour, or a designer ordering for a brand launch, our job is the same: make the best merch we can for you.
What stitch-bound means
The notebook's pages are physically sewn through the spine with thread, then attached to the cover. It's the classic notebook construction used on real journals, sketchbooks, and Moleskine-style products — durable, opens flat, and ages well. Different from spiral-bound (which uses a wire coil), saddle-stitched (staples through the fold), or perfect-bound (glued spine). Stitch-bound feels more substantial and reads as a real book.
Customization options
Paper weight
- 80gsm (default) — standard journal/notebook paper, good for pen and pencil writing
- 100gsm — slightly heavier, holds up better for sketching and light marker work
- 120gsm — markers and most pens won't bleed through; favored by pen-and-marker artists
- 140gsm — mixed media weight; handles light watercolor washes and heavier marker work
Cover weight
- 250gsm (default) — soft cover with normal flex
- 300gsm — firmer soft cover, slightly more book-like in hand
Page count
- 16 sheets / 32 pages
- 24 sheets / 48 pages
Split cover options
Single cover design is standard. For brands that want to offer customers cover variety, you can run two, three, or four different cover designs in the same production run (additional cost per notebook because of the multiple cover setups). Common pattern: one notebook design split across four cover variants for a four-pack collection.
Optional paper wrapper
A custom-printed paper wrapper that goes around the notebook (think the band on Moleskine notebooks). Useful for retail packaging or for adding additional brand artwork visible without opening the book.
How a run actually works
Most orders start with a quote, not a cart. You send us your artwork (vector preferred for clean lines, raster works for full-color), and we come back with pricing, a production timeline, and any production notes within a business day or two. We'll flag anything in the file that won't translate well at production size before we move forward.
From proof approval, most overseas products are about a month to your door. That's the nature of producing 100% custom merchandise overseas vs. shipping a stock promotional item. Shipping is express and included in the price.
If you have a hard deadline, tell us before you order. We don't charge rush fees. We'll either confirm we can hit your date or tell you up front that we can't, so you can plan around it.
Why our notebook minimum is 500
Notebooks have a much higher MOQ floor than our other products because the production process involves multiple distinct steps: cover printing, paper sourcing in your chosen weight, page cutting, stitch binding, and quality inspection on every unit. Each step has its own setup cost. Below 500 units, the per-notebook price climbs sharply because all that setup is amortized over too few books. 500 is the smallest run where the math works cleanly for a real custom notebook product.
That said, we regularly quote runs in the 200-300 range for buyers who specifically need fewer than 500. The per-notebook cost is higher in that range (you're paying close to 500-piece pricing for a fraction of the output), but it's a real option if your project genuinely needs that quantity. Email us with your specs and we'll walk through whether a sub-500 run makes sense for your situation. Larger runs (1000, 2000+) bring per-notebook cost down meaningfully and are where most brand and retail-bound orders live.
Who we work with
Artists running their own work: illustrators, bands, indie brand owners, podcasters, comic creators, convention sellers. Designers ordering for a brand launch, an event, a campaign, or a customer giveaway. Agencies and design studios producing merch for their clients. Merch companies running production for the artists they represent. The common thread is that the merch matters: it's representing a brand, a band, an artist, or a project that someone cares about.
What you get with Alchemy
- 5+ million products produced for creators and brands since 2019.
- 100% money-back guarantee. If it's not right, we remake it at no cost or refund you in full.
- Long-standing factory relationships. We've been working with the same vetted overseas factories for years. Consistent quality, predictable timelines, no chasing the lowest quote at the cost of the product. You get a US-based partner who handles the production logistics for you.
- Quality good enough for licensed brands. We've produced merch for officially licensed properties and large brands. The same standard goes on every order, including yours.
- A team of artists, musicians, and brand owners. Not customer-service reps trained on a script. Everyone proofing your file knows what it feels like to send their own art to a factory and hope it comes back right.
Other notebook sizes we offer
- A6 pocket notebooks (4.1" × 5.8") — smaller pocket size, ideal for jacket pockets, tote bags, and grab-and-go use
Common questions
What size is A5 in inches?
5.8" × 8.3". The most common journal and sketchbook size — slightly smaller than letter-size paper, slightly larger than a paperback book. Big enough for full writing or detailed sketching, small enough to fit in most bags.
Which paper weight should I pick?
80gsm if customers will mainly use it for writing with pen or pencil. 100-120gsm for sketching or marker work. 140gsm if there's any chance of light watercolor or heavy marker use. Pick based on what your audience actually uses; you don't need the heaviest paper unless your customers actually need it.
Why split covers?
Split cover orders let you produce a "set" of notebooks with different cover designs in a single run. Common use: a four-pack of journals where each cover features a different illustration but the inside is the same. Adds variety to retail offerings without doubling production complexity.
What artwork format works best?
Vector files (AI, EPS, PDF) for cover artwork and any printed page elements. High-resolution raster (300 DPI at print size) also works. CMYK preferred; RGB converts and we proof carefully.
Can I do printed interior pages, or just blank pages?
Default is blank ruled or unruled pages (your choice). Printed interior pages are possible for a custom quote — useful for branded notebooks with prompts, dot-grid templates, or section dividers.
How long do notebook orders take?
About four weeks from proof approval to your door, including express shipping. No rush fees.
Do I see a proof before production?
Yes. Digital proof for cover and any interior printing before production starts. Revisions until you approve.
Are these made in the USA?
Notebooks are produced overseas at long-vetted factories. Our team is US-based and handles file prep, proofing, and customer success. Our wooden products and stickers are made in the USA.
Start a quote
Send us your artwork and a rough quantity, and we'll come back with pricing and a timeline within a business day or two. Not sure if your file will work? Send what you have. We'll tell you what we'd need to make it production-ready. Start a quote.
Design Templates
Set up your artwork at the correct size with proper bleed and safe zones using our production templates. Vector files (PDF/AI/EPS) are preferred for clean lines and scaling; raster (PSD) works for full-color artwork at 300dpi.
- Vector PDF + Raster PSD A5 notebook template (Vector + Raster bundle)
