How To Make Your Own Pocket Notebook [Process Video]

Or At Least How I Make Mine

Inspired by the likes of Aaron Draplin and his Field Notes, a few years ago I started making my own pocket notebooks.

They weren’t very good! Eventually, I took a break. Had another kid. Recently, I started making them again, and I’ve improved my process. It’s funny how our hobbies come and go. Now, I might be obsessed.¹

Speaking of Draplin, this one uses his artwork on the cover.

It requires some tools and practice, and these are definitely not perfect, but I am frankly surprised at how well I can get these little notebooks to turn out. I think if I can do it, anybody can!

Here’s a video illustrating how I make mine:

Here are the tools I used in this video²:

• Cover: French Paper | 80 lb Cover in “Jelly Bean Green”

• Insides: Finch Paper | 24 lb bond / 60 lb Text Opaque Digital

• Self-healing cutting mat

• X-acto knife with #11 blade³

• Metal ruler/straight edge

• Small binder clip

• Brayer⁴

• Bostitch booklet stapler

• Small corner cutter/rounder

• Sandpaper

Optional: A custom stamp!

Eventually, I plan on getting a heavy-duty guillotine cutter. But for now, I am enjoying being gloriously inefficient. If you are also going to be inefficient, I recommend keeping bandaids nearby.

Happy making! If you make a pocket notebook, I’d love to see it.

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—Nathaniel

1. I’ve started buying very specific paper online.

2. Note: I learned after making this video you can use the back of a butter knife to score card stock before folding.

3. I use a cheaper off-brand blades for this because I use a new blade for each notebook. Having a sharp blade is important here. I save the X-Acto brand blades for collage!

4. You can (or maybe should) use a bone folder. I just don’t have one.