Apica Notebook CD-11 lined dark grey (A5)

The Apica CD-11 in charcoal grey softcover is a straightforward A5 notebook with Japanese thread binding and acid-free paper – compact enough for your pocket, with 56 pages large enough for a single topic or a month. The textured cardboard cover in subdued charcoal grey features silver embossed lettering and a subtle roller pattern. The paper – white, smooth, with light grey ruling – is specifically designed for fountain pens.

Features

• Fountain pen-friendly 81.4 gsm paper: The surface is smooth and dense enough that ink doesn't sink in or feather. Nibs from fine to stub nib glide smoothly without scratching or catching. Both water-based and pigment-based inks perform equally well.
• Acid-free: The paper won't yellow and remains stable over time – handwritten notes, ink samples or sketches remain unchanged for years.
• Thread binding with flat opening: The sewn binding allows the notebook to lie completely flat – both pages are usable all the way to the spine without breaking the spine.
• 25 lines at 7 mm spacing: A ruling that suits most handwriting – large enough for relaxed writing, tight enough for structured notes. An empty header line leaves space for the date or a heading.
• Charcoal grey softcover: The textured cardboard feels substantial in hand but gives way when opening. The muted grey feels calm and office-friendly without being stiff.
• Made in Japan: Both production and paper originate from Japan.

Use & Tips

• Subject notebooks: With 56 pages, ideal for a project, a subject or a defined period – manageable enough to keep an overview.
• Ink samples and nib tests: The white, smooth paper shows shading, sheening and ink colours precisely. Well-suited as a reference notebook for fountain pen inks and nib characteristics – the format fits neatly on a shelf.
• Quick notes with fountain pen: The smooth surface enables fast writing without resistance – even fine nibs glide without paper friction. Inks with moderate drying times work well.
• Left-handers: With the thread binding at the side, the writing area stays clear – no obstructive spiral spine under your hand.
• Pairing with stub nibs: The 7 mm ruling provides enough vertical space to proportion stub nib writing well without ascenders and descenders extending into neighbouring lines.

For Fountain Pen Enthusiasts

The paper in the Apica CD range is produced exclusively for Apica and is designed specifically for fountain pen inks. The dense, even surface noticeably reduces feathering of ink edges, even with wet nibs. If you work with highly shading or sheening inks, you'll see significantly more colour depth on this paper than on more absorbent papers. The acid-free material means concretely: no lignin yellowing, no brittleness – ink colours remain stable long-term and won't fade due to paper ageing.

Technical Specifications