Traveler’s Notebook 101

Sooner or later in the journaling community (probably sooner) you might hear a reference to a Traveler’s Notebook (abbreviated to TN) but what a Traveler’s Notebook is might not always be clear.

Traveler’s Notebooks were created by Midori (now Traveler’s Company) in 2006. Surely people traveled and wrote about it in a notebook before then, but Midori put a stamp on it. It’s a well-crafted piece of leather, a few strings, and the rest is entirely up to you.

There are several traveler’s style notebooks that follow the same system. Some have strings glued to the leather binding to allow each insert to be on its own, others have a variety of sizes or built-in pockets. For this blog, I’ll just be referring to the Traveler’s Company brand.

Sizes & Colors

Traveler’s come in a Standard or Passport size. Standard (A5 slim) is 8.26 inches x 4.33 inches. Passport is, well, the size of a passport. (see: Notebook 101 for references).

Each size comes in black, blue, brown, camel, and now olive. Over the year several exclusive items are released that quickly cause a frenzy in the TN community. Some are reselling for triple the original cost. Starbucks has exclusive releases. Prada did a run. Different Japanese city store releases are highly coveted. But you can always find the standard colors in stock at the regular price if you are ready to start (or add to) your Traveler’s journey.

Inserts

A brand new Traveler’s Notebook will come with a blank insert (slim notebook). The rest is up to you. Traveler’s Company makes calendar, dotted, graph, lined, and sketch paper inserts. However, there are tons of sellers online that make notebooks to accommodate any need.

And just because one notebook comes inluded doesn’t mean that’s all you’re limited to putting inside your Traveler’s. A simple jump band (or two or three) lets you connect your notebooks together.

Aside from notebooks, you can include folder pockets, zipper cases, paint pallets, sticker release paper, pen holders, or clips. Some users even have a wallet insert and carry it daily. Notebooks can be added in, bound together, removed, or shuffled. Whatever your needs are, the Traveler’s can meet it.

What To Put Inside

The general idea is that when you go on a trip, you stick an insert into your Traveler’s and record your journey. Did you get a cute sticker from a new bookstore? Slap it down. Did you get a business card from a coffee shop and don’t have time to glue it down immediately? Slide into one of those pockets. Visit a stationery shop with unique stamps? Stamp the leather. Abbey Sy and Job’s Journal are wonderful resources on documenting your travels.

But if you don’t travel that doesn’t mean there aren’t uses for the Traveler’s Notebook. Everyday items need documenting too. Some people buy the calendar for the entire year and use their TN as a planner with a separate insert for journaling. Some people have a different TN for each type of planning and journaling they do.

Customization

Aside from the inserts, the look of your Traveler’s is truly what makes it your notebook. The more it’s used, the more the leather patinas. Some people keep theirs in a cloth to protect that smooth, fresh look. Other people toss it around and let it get scratched. Patches can be glued or stitched on. You can add charms to the grommet or bookmark string. The elastic that closes the TN can be untied and charms can be added across the closure.

HJS Member example:

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There is no wrong way to use a Traveler’s Notebook! Have you started on your journey? Do you have a thousand questions? What’s your favorite way to use one?