Apica Notebook CD-11 lined lilac (A5)

The Apica CD-11 in Lavender is a slim A5 notebook from Japanese production – featuring 28 sheets of acid-free paper, hand-sewn thread binding, and a softcover made from thick cardboard with subtle texture. The notebook lies flat on the desk without tension or springing back, and the lavender cover gives it a calm, understated character.

Features

• Fountain pen-friendly paper (81.4 g/m²): The smooth, slightly compressed surface takes ink quickly without feathering or show-through – even wet nibs with generous ink flow perform flawlessly. Light ghosting is barely noticeable with normal ink amounts.
• Acid-free: The paper is pH-neutral and therefore archivally stable – notes and ink colours remain vibrant over years without yellowing or fading.
• Thread binding: The pages are sewn with thread, not merely glued. The notebook opens flat to the centre without backbone tension – no forceful pressing required.
• 25 lines with 7 mm ruling: The line spacing follows the classic school notebook standard (College Rule), with a blank header at the top for date or subject. The lines are printed in light grey – prominent enough for orientation, subtle enough not to distract from your handwriting.
• Lavender cardboard softcover: The cover is flexible yet sturdy – it yields slightly but reliably protects the pages. The matte, finely textured surface feels pleasant in the hand.

Use & Tips

• Fountain pens and ink: The paper works with nibs of all sizes – from fine to broad. If you use shading-prone or heavily wet inks, allow brief drying time; with normal ink amounts, no blotting is necessary. Pigment inks, iron gall inks, and standard dye-based inks all perform well.
• Gel pens and quick-drying ballpoint refills: The smooth paper is excellent for gel pens and oil-based ballpoint refills – the line flows evenly without skipping or scratching.
• Daily journal and bullet journal use: With 56 pages per notebook, the CD-11 is ideal for shorter periods – an intensive month of writing, a semester project, a travel diary. The slim format fits into any bag and most A5 notebook sleeves.
• Ink swatches and writing tests: The surface clearly displays ink shading and sheen with sufficient ink flow. Not Tomoe River – but absolutely reliable for everyday use with clear, clean handwriting.
• Left-handers: Thanks to the paper's rapid ink absorption and side-sewn binding, this notebook is also well suited for left-handers – your hand smudges less than on slow-drying paper.

For Paper Enthusiasts

The CD-11 paper weighs 81.4 g/m² and is thus heavier than many school notebooks, but lighter than the renowned Tomoe River Paper. Apica developed pH-neutral paper specifically for the Japanese market back in 1984 – the CD notebook has been part of this line since 1987 and is regarded in the fountain pen community as a reliable everyday companion with genuine fountain pen compatibility. The paper's slightly warm white has a subtle cream tone without appearing yellowish. The thread binding is side-stitched, which keeps page alignment stable even with frequent page-turning.

Technical Specifications