Thank you everyone for your entries – The competition is now closed – the Winner was Sherrie!
So Last night I was on a Binding Blitz and cut the paper for 7 new sketchbooks, 3 around pocket moleskine size, 3 about 18cm (7″) x 12.5cm (5″) and one 25cm (10″) x 18cm (7″). The papers are varied from arches 88 and bfk rives printmaking paper to saunders waterford and fabriano drawing papers.
I’ve often been told I should sell my journals and sketchbooks but before I do I’m asking all the artists out there to tell me what they look for in a sketchbook. In return I will send one of my hand bound pocket journals to one lucky responder anywhere in the world.
If you aren’t inclined to bind your own, what books do you buy and what draws you to them?
Please excuse my blatant market research but what size books do you like? does the number of pages matter or are you drawn to a good book?
And the big one – what do you pay for your sketchbooks?
Don’t forget One lucky reader will receive a pocket sketcbook from me for answering my questions!
Conditions of comp:
Tell me what you look for in a sketchbook in the comments below – size? Price? Type of paper & cover?
Make sure to leave an email address – I will draw the winner on Sunday 13th December at 8pm Australian eastern daylight time.
I prefer something that has some kind of closure, a band like the Moley is good. A fold with a loop is preferred over something with a button.
It needs to be able to lie completely flat, even if I don’t always hold it that way.
An off white paper is preferred and something smooth but with enough tooth to catch and hold water. This is one of my personal peeves with the famous Moly sketchbook – too smooth to the point of being nearly water resistant. Oh but I love the colour of those pages.
A pocket in the back of some kind. While I have Molies on hand I find I am leaning more and more toward my Pierre Belvedere which is a leather cover into which one puts a fresh 240 page sketch book. Produced in Montreal these were being carried by Canada’s biggest box style book store. However, they have cancelled the item and are carrying lesser quality product made in the US.
Size varies but I find I like something in the medium range, folio sized, 8X6 inches say though I use the pocket Moley too.
Thanks for the fun and best of luck to everyone. Very kind of you.
I’m never drawn to just one size when it comes to my books. I love different sizes. What I look for is the paper, I want something I can use different media with, depending on my mood. I want something that has pages of paper that if I want to make a graphite drawing with I can. But I also want it to have pages where I can use a quill and ink and having it handle paints as well.
The one thing I do look for in all of them, is to be able to tie it closed, because sometimes I will use objects glued in with the image I paint or draw.
Prices vary depending on the size of the book.
silverlily61@yahoo.com
The perfect size is, to me, the one of a pocket Moleskine 3.5″ X 5.5″. I love Moleskine, especially the sketchbook with thick and smooth paper. The pocket size is important to me so I can carry it with me at all times, in my purse. I use my sketchbook it every time I have to wait….and I wait a lot at dr.’s offices.
I like Italian papers [I wonder why?]. I like the Fabriano journal with colored papers. I bought that one because of the colored paper.
The cover has to be appealing: leather or fabric are best. I prefer hardback, but I also like softcover. And as for the price, since I rather spend money for a sketchbook than for clothes, I guess I could go for a reasonably expensive book, if it’s worth it.
Hope I answered all the questions.
Marina
mo8@cox.net
Hey! You’re on to something here… great idea to have a giveaway to get a lot of opinions.
I love most every sketchbook–can’t keep my hands off of them. The more unusual the better. I like to keep a variety of sizes going at all times. I’ll buy one if I see a size I don’t currently have or an unusually beautiful cover or a sale price. (I love finding a bargain). I carry the smaller 3.5″x5.5″ moleskin around everywhere I go. This size is great to fit in my purse. The larger sizes I keep for a specific planned sketching event–like meeting friends at a cafe. I look for watercolor paper or any type paper that will accept wet media.
Good luck selling your handmade books!
Judy
beclobo@comcast.net
What fun. Thanks for doing this. Who doesn’t like a chance for a nice freebie?
I use all sizes of sketchbooks, since a lot of what goes in a sketchbook is “trash” sketching, thumbnails for paintings, lists, doodles. For serious sketching though, I do like the Moleskine size, but 6″ x 8″ would be ideal. A variety of paper is a special treat, but in a manufactured sketchbook, I look for a bit of tooth and substantial paper to take washes or watercolors. Toned paper is also nice, but a whole book of it is limiting.
Covers don’t realy matter to me. I’ll buy a sketchbook I like, in spite of it’s pricetag. Are you getting some good ideas from this, Janice?
Thanks again.
Nel
NelVanL@aol.com
I look for unusual shapes and sizes, and I have a collection of really long, narrow, skinny ones; square ones; etc. I like a heavier paper if it’s just drawing paper, and also have some watercolor moleskines, and some larger watercolor journals. I would definitely say I look for paper strong enought to take pen, ink, watercolor, and possibly some photo transfers. Collage elements are becoming more important to me, as well, so it would have to allow for expansion without me having to cut pages out. The moleskines help out with that by having the elastic band as a closure. I guess I just get whatever grabs me at the moment! The price varies accordingly, but I would not be opposed to spending a larger amount on well constructed handmade journal. I like covers that are durable, since I take a bit longer to fill a sketch book than I generally like! ; ) and, I’m clumsy, so my skecthbook almost always gets dropped a few times! LOL
I hope that helps!
What a great idea for a giveaway! I am sure everyone prefers a different kind but I really like sketchbooks that are the size of standard paper as they fit nicely in a backpack and can be framed easily. I also look for something that can open and be layed out flat. This helps with working on it and drying if a wet medium is used. As another said a closure is also a great thing because it keeps the pages from getting raged and less of a chance of certain things like charcoal and pastels from rubbing off. One other thing I prefer is something with a hard sturdy cover. It keeps the work protected when being carried around all the time and keeps everything nice and flat. As for the price that would be hard to say. I buy alot of things online but it is hard to justify spending a great amount on money for something that you haven’t actually seen. On the other hand if I had a sample or could actually go and pick it up and hold it like at an Art Supply store and I really liked it I may spend more. Hope this helps and good luck with your future sales!
The picture of your handmade books looks fabulous! I think your friends are right!
My favorite all time sketchbook had long leather straps, like shoelaces, that wrapped round and around and supple enough that you could tie in a bow. No one could sneak a peek without a bit of effort. It felt safe, and kind of sexy.
It also had a little slot for my favorite ink pen, so that it was always there. No digging for an appropriate pen to jot a thought or a quite sketch.
I am also an off-white paper person, paper that is slightly porous to take watercolors, but not rough that a pen and ink would not move smoothly.
I also prefer that the cover be water proof. Since it goes everywhere, it is subject to some dirty accidents!
Thanks for taking our comments and suggestions, and best of luck with you venture!
I have a variety of sketchbooks also. I have a few moleskin books that I like for journaling and poetry. I have a few ring-bound sketchbooks that I like for drawing because they open up flat. I treasure a hardbound sketchbook that I bought. I collaged over the cover with pages from a foreign language book, and added a picture of the moon and sun and a quote. I paid around $9 for a plain black hard-bound book. I’ve found a couple of cool journals that are homemade. One is tan/brown with leaves covering the book, and bound using a stick and hemp cord, the paper is natural colored. Most of mine are 8 1/2 x 11. I use compostition books that I alter also. Those are 9 3/4 x 7 1/2. I like the natural or recycled paper. My other handmade journal is a tan, corrugated cover with natural colored pages. I picked those two up at a flea market.
You are too generous. Here is what I like in a sketchbook.
I pretty much like the Moleskine, for the pocket, the elastic closure, the bookmark ribbon. The paper is great, I have both the sketchbook and watercolor sketchbooks, so far, I have only used the sketchbook. I like a hard backed book, I would love to see a pretty cover, a book that lays flat when open, I have both sizes of Moleskine, but I seem to lean toward the smaller one, it fits neatly into my purse and goes everywhere with me. On the other hand, the larger size is great for work at home. I like the color of the Moleskine pages, but I would love to have some experience with some other types of paper.
The one objection I have to the watercolor Moleskine is the landscape format, but it is not a major issue.
I hunt for bargain prices on Moleskine, and have paid around $11 for the small and $14 for the large.
Hi Janice,
Tell me what you look for in a sketchbook – size? Price? Type of paper & cover?
I look for the quality of the paper, and I prefer watercolor or printmaking paper. I like bright white paper. I enjoy both cold pressed and hot pressed paper, and I would like a sketchbook that had both..maybe alternating a couple of one and then a couple of another.
I use the watercolor moleskins right now, both sizes, but prefer the larger one. I’d like the moleskin’s shorter dimension to be 2-3 inches longer. I also really like square sketchbooks. 8″ square is great. I also like 8″ by 10″
Price – my sketchbooks are invaluable to me, so I am willing to pay to get top quality watercolor paper. I would pay up to $40.
I like to have about 1/2 – 3/4 inch thick sketchbooks.
As others have mentioned, it has to lay flat. I do not need a bookmark. I can tie a ribbon around it, so it does not need to have a closure. I don’t use the Moleskin pockets.
As for cover…I’m open to a wide variety of covers and I do also like leather. The size of the sketchbook and more importantly, the quality of the paper is paramount. I like Fabriano Artistico paper, especially. I do like to have nice endpaper inside the front and back covers. Just makes it feel even nicer…but I could always add it.
Good luck to you!
Thanks,
Kim
I have yet to see a sketchbook I don’t like, but handmade ones are the best. I especially like the imperfections of them, the paper being well cut, but not too precisely so, and their uniqueness. Different covers or a creative strap to hold the journal closed are important details to me.
I also have a few moleskines, for sketching (purple band) and watercolour, in both sizes. Watercolour paper is good for all techniques and if it’s smooth enough it’s perfect also for graphite, which I use a lot. Because I use pencils a lot, I like to have a notebook with plain recycled paper, but being notebooks, the cover is too flimsy. A few toned paper pages in a sketch book makes for variety and the good canson demi-teinte takes washes and guache too. The internal pocket in moleskines is a great bonus too, as well as the fact that you can open them flat and draw across the pages, and the strap to kee them safely closed.
Price is important, but not too much, the quality of the paper comes first.
As for size, I like very small ones for quick sketches, but a moleskine size sketch book, or slightly larger, is very handy to have with you at all times. I use the larger ones for theme studies, such as figure drawing, Natural History museum visits, and such.
Your handbound books look great!
Thanks for the chance to share ideas
Barbara
Well, I am only a beginner and have not yet bought a ‘proper’, good quality sketchbook. However, the encouragement that i have found on the EDM group has prompted me the think about starting a ‘real’ sketch journal in the new year. Of course, I have heard people rave about their moleskine books but others seem to find they are not so good with watercolour, which is what I want to use.
your post really made me think about what I should look for – not an easy task as i have not experience of different types of sketch book. So:
Something to keep it closed so that i could paste things inside if i chose. But as I am older, my fingers are not so dexterous as they were and I shall need a fastener that is not too ‘fiddly’.
Size? Well, I tend to work small so the size would be between 120 x 150 cms and 160 x 220 cms. I am aiming to do bigger sketches eventually so I would hope that my ‘perfect’ sketch book would be available in various sizes. Not to thick as i would want to be able to carry it around with me without the book being too bulky or heavy.
Paper? Nice to have several different papers in the one book – some pages for pencil sketches and some heavier paper for water colours. maybe that would be asking too much, so I would go for a mid-weight watercolour paper. Again, I don’t have enough experience to stipulate any particular paper.
Cover? Well, something that would be strong enough to stand the constant handling without falling apart. Does not have to stay perfect as a ‘used’ look is attractive.
The book would need to open flat. The cheap book i use at present has a spiral binding and I am envying people with books that allow you to draw across two pages.
Price? On a limited budget, I am not able to say that I would pay whatever it took – would be nice but not realistic. So around the price of the moleskine, I guess.
Your book looks lovely – best wishes for your project
Regards
Margaret.
I Look for the true personality of the Artist. A Journal has to so the Artist at the spur of the moment. The Moment that something catches the Artist Ovre and the Artist feels compelled to record the View for The Artist. Even if He has left the Studio without the wonderful Journal. The Artist will use a napkin, the back of the paper chargers, ask a stranger for pen and paper.
The Artist must be The Journal.
It does not matter the paper, the pen, The brand of journal.
What matters is that the Artist has chosen that moment and the Artist soul is compelled to be recorded by the Stroke of a Pen, Pencil, Brush Marker etc.
A True Journal is not planned. The pages do not have to match.
True there is that moment when an Artist makes one sketch and the Artist has to explore an entire Journal on this one subject and until the Artist Soul deems the experience a success or time to move on.
Sherrie Roberts
I’m an EDM lurker. I prefer a sketchbook to be on the small side (large empty pages intimidate me!). I like the paper to be durable enough for light washes. If I want to do a real watercolour, then I’ll use watercolour paper, but a sketchbook, IMO, just needs to be strong enough to handle a light wash. It should have a fairly neutral paper, nothing too toothy or textured, so that lots of options for coloured pencils, graphite, and charcoal can be used.
A strong cover is an asset. If it has funky colours or patterns, even better! Although I like utilitarian sketchbooks, sometimes one gets tired of the ubiquitous black and brown bindings.
It should stay open reasonably well. I don’t insist on spiral bindings. A good sewn binding like a Moleskine is more than acceptable.
Price? That’s a tough one. I’m willing to pay higher prices for handmade sketchbooks and journals than mass-produced Moleskines.
Good luck! I hope these comments are of some help.
Avital
I forgot to answer the questions:
I prefer a large journal. I have been getting use to the small,
3″ x 5″, medium 7″x5″, I always carried a large sketchbook 11″x14″ and my first trip to Europe, I carried a 14″x17″.
I have always tried to purchase the most economical sketchbook.
I found Moleskine, in 1999 at Walden bookstore in Boston at Copley Square. I bought one and on my Flickr sight you can see some of my first sketches. I find them pricey. I find all paper products including the Tissues of all kinds expensive. I have now purchased books with the India papers and the and others that are covered in pressed wood covers- These are for special projects. The most expensive one I own and have not started in is the Anniversary, Winsor Newton sketchbook. It listed for about $25.00. I purchased mine at Pearl. This was expensive and at this price was said to be on sale at 50% off.
Lately, I have been wanting a Canvas covered sketchbook, at least 9″x12″ and I want several selections of paper in one book. I also, want a cover that can be reused on other sets of paper. Yes, a cover for the cover. So, after I decorate it, I will keep it clean.
I am sure such a Journal hand made would be a bargain at $100.00.
I do prefer good paper, Not the slick paper you find in so many “Preferred” journals used by only the best Artist”.
I also have been using the relatively inexpensive journal, with recycled paper.
Matter of fact I have just purchased the paper and I am looking at ‘type of canvas’ for my first ‘Handmade Book’ since college. I am so thankful I still have that book.
I have seen many wonderful handmade journals, I am sure you will be able to sell, even a small one for $25.00 or $35.00 each. After all, the Rage of the Moly for small is around $12-18 dollars depending on the store.
The India – ‘Handmade Books’ (mass produced) are $20.00 each in the paper stores.
Being on a budget, You have to take care of every scrape of paper available.
Sherrie Roberts
I’m probably the only person on the list who has no access whatsoever to Moleskines!
I have yet to find the perfect sketchbook for me. I prefer books that are small enough to fit into my handbag or backpack because I sketch whenever I’m waiting or sitting over coffee. I like a strong cover that can stand up to some abuse and be able to lie completely flat. Pockets would be great as would a tie closure.
As for paper … I work mostly with graphite or India Ink though I would like to try watercolors (working on getting up my nerve). So for now, smooth is fine but later, a bit of tooth would be really useful.
I’m willing to pay for the right book. If its more than I can afford, I save up until I can. Persistant I am … yeeesss!
What a wonderful idea! I am new to sketch books, so my needs and wants are pretty simple. I LOVE handmade watercolor paper (Punjab, to be exact), Arches 90-140, great sketching papers and some colored pastel papers. I love the 5×7, 8×10 sizes. I love for the book to have a closure on it–makes it so easy to transport.
I think one of the greatest things that I have discovered about painting in a sketchbook is that it mentally frees me to paint–I am thinking that the reason is that I must not be subconsciously thinking that it might have to be framed????
I would love to see (and buy) one of your finished products!
Libbi
Oh how exciting to be envolved in the “perfect” sketchbook!! I Much prefer bright white paper, using primarily ink and watercolor. Saving white is key as is quality paper weight (90# gets more pages in). It must be a portable size 8″ square or 5×8 portrait format please. Hot or cold press preferable. It MUST lay flat as I often cross the page break in my spreads. Hard protective cover , bright covers would be nice but not a deal breaker and an elastic strap like the moly is good. Pockets not necessary for me, page marker not needed either. I have bought every skektchbook out there, none are perfect and binding is difficult for me. If a book met my needs above, I would find a way to buy it no matter the cost 😉 it is my Addiction and I Need iT!!! Thanks for the opportunity to give input – Good Luck on this new Business!!!
[…] have received so many wonderful Comments on yesterday’s post – it’s so great to hear everyone’s likes, dislikes and wishes for the perfect […]
oops…forgot my email
libbi4miti@sbcglobal.net
Libbi 🙂
I am a beginner, but I’m falling in love for sketchbooks!
I’d love to have a square sketchbook (around 20x20cm), leather cover, paper that would feel soft to my hand and with a gentle color. Something that accepted well ink and watercolour, though not too thick.
If it’s the right sketchbook, I will be glad to pay for it — but I may be a bit hesitant to really use it… 🙂
Hope you get the info you need!!
Wow! What a nice idea for a Give-Away!
Sketchbooks are like magnets for me. I buy them whrever I am that offers something I haven’t tried before. Have I found one I truly love? Not really. I’m beginning to wonder if there is such a thing as a perfect sketchbook for every artist’s tastes. Seems to be rather elusive!
I like working in both dry and wet media, from graphite, ink pens, pencil crayons all the way through to water colour paints, water soluble pencil crayons and lately the water soluble crayons as well.
Paper: For me, my ‘dream’ sketchbook would have alternating signatures of watercolour paper and slightly heavier drawing paper. I like both white and buff coloured paper, too. So for painting the signatures would be white and for sketching maybe the buff toned paper similar to the Moleskine although not as smooth.
Size: I prefer a medium sized format, say around 7″x10″ or square like an 8″x8″.
Covers: Sturdier covers rather than soft covers. The back cover should be firm enough to use in place of a table or drawing board. And from personal experience, firm covers provide more protection for the pages inside from being torn or crumpled, especially while travelling. The exception would be a quality soft leather cover that has an extra bit to the back cover that wraps over the front cover just enough to enclose the paper edges. I prefer a band that doesn’t need to be tied, and as someone already mentioned (Owain?), I also do not like buttons and loop closures. The loops catch on things and buttons get torn off leaving an ugly mark or a hole in the cover.
You have a lot of ideas here in the comments already:) I hope that you are not being overwhelmed with too many ideas!!!
In order of importance when it comes to purchasing sketchbooks:
1. Paper – I always look at texture and quality of the paper before all else. My personal style requires more heavy duty paper, and I always enjoy working on different textured paper.
2. Size – Working on all sizes of sketchbooks, I’m always on the hunt for different sizes to experiment with. This is important in selecting a sketchbook, but ultimately varies due to what I need at the time.
3. Price – It’s too easy to overspend on art materials, and after I splurge on certain things, I tend to shy away from spending on others. Fortunately, since sketchbooks are vital, I don’t mind spending a lot, though I would cap it around $25 (taking size and quality into consideration).
4. Design – Lastly, if I’m going to draw in a sketchbook, I would like it to be a lovely one. Having a beautiful sketchbook prompts me to create beautiful art. Foolproof logic.
I like a 5×8 portrait sketchbook, right now my favorite is the ‘Hand-book’, lots of pages, relatively inexpensive. I like to be able to draw across the ‘ditch’ and I need/prefer a size that will be easy to scan… so the landscape Moleskine is NOT on my list because it is too wide to scan. I like a smoother paper for ink work, but want to be able to do light washes in watercolor too. The cover should be hard, and can be fancy or plain… I light the elastic bands, and a ribbon to mark my spot is a nice touch. All of mine have little pockets in the back, and so far I’ve never used the pocket for anything… so that’s not an important feature to me.
The book you have pictured here is lovely…. I wish you luck starting your new business.
I’m new to watercolor sketchbooks.
I made my first one –
5×8″ pages with a suede cover and a leather strip to bind it.
I love the handmade feel of the book.
I used really cheap watercolor paper which was disappointing. I would definitely use a 140 lb rag paper page in my next one. Rough or CP. Not sure what brand. I’m not very conversant in papers yet.
I like a largish page (5×8″) just to have room to journal a short note with the sketch.
My next project is a bag/holder for my sketchbook, paint box and pencil/pen/brush.
Thanks for this neat contest and thanks to all who posted – I’m learning so much from your posts.
Betty Ann
I’m just starting out, so I really don’t know what I look for! I do know that the first sketchbook I bought from Walmart isn’t for me. It’s too big and not comfortable to carry around. I bought a little pocket journal though and I love it-it’s so small it’s easy to carry around with me and I like the elastic thingy that closes it when I am done;)
I did ask for a moleskine watercolor sketchbook for Christmas, I hope I like it!
My fave size is 5.5″ x 8″, big enough to feel free in (small Moley’s are too small for me) yet compact enough to still carry around with you easily. Yes, love closures too….like a button and loop, or a big elastic band. Something to close it for sure.
The paper would have to accept a light wash, since pen and watercolor are my thing, and smooth enough for just pen and ink.
I would pay up to $25 I guess…..and hopefully has lots of pages, more than 40!
Blessings!
Joanie
Size? The small Moleskine is a great size (3.5 x 5.5″) for me. I also like the amount of pages that the Moleskine has–good closure–and love the pocket in the back. . .but the paper. . .could be much better–would love a good watercolor paper (don’t love the paper in the watercolor Moleskine either)–something with a bit of tooth that can handle a wash. Cover? I like a simple, durable cover. I like my sketchbook to look like any book–inconspicuous is good! Is that it? OH! price. . .between $15-20.00 (am I cheap?. . .sorry!)
I am still learning/experimenting with what works best for me. I have several sketchbooks going at all times. My favorite was the moleskine reloaded with personal instruction from THE Expert (Martha at trumptvine.com)
http://lisalou-graceart.blogspot.com/2008/02/never-say-never.html. I like the small, sturdy size of the moleskine and love the hot press paper we put in it. For me, cost is important as I am practicing alot and need to keep the cost down–under $20 suits my budget.
I wish you luck with marketing your new journals and I certainly hope to try one very soon! I hope this info helps you.
Happy holidays!
Lisa
reedlisa.1@gmail.com
http://lisalou-graceart.blogspot.com/
I used to like the 8″ x 11″ size but now that I’ve been using Moleskins I really like the 5 1/4″ x 8 1/4″. It’s great for doing a quick sketch or an indepth drawing. Having them open flat is a plus but not a necessity. It would be cool to have a decorated cover to get your muse working. Also a huge plus is one with paper that will take a light watercolor wash. An elastic band to hold a pencil would be great too! 🙂 Marva
Hi,
I’m just reading through all the replies again… very interesting.
Got to mine and I don’t see my email address so I’ll leave it here at the bottom. My original post is above, dated Dec 10.
uhomeschool@yahoo.com
thanks again for the contest,
Betty Ann
i like to use different sizes of sketchbooks ‘cos i think it affects my work quite a lot – though i tend to feel most comfortable with a moleskin, yet very small books are even more portable and can be great for doing tiny work (especially for drawing discreetly in public – something i am still quite shy about!)
Much as i love my moleskin i have to say the paper is not absorbant enough and does at times drive me crazy – i would like a less smooth paper that takes different media better.
As for look, well, i don’t really mind too much but of course a beautiful cover on a well made book is good as it means you are valuing your work enough to put it in a loving crafted sketchbook (another barrier i had to get past!)
One thing i haven’t found which i would love is different papers in one book i.e. sketching pages, a few brown paper pages, some watercolour papers, and maybe even one or two black pages. I don’t know if it would be feasible to make such a book, but i know i often end up working on paper and sticking it in as the pages of the molskin just aren;t suitable for everything i want to do, so it would be cool to have a choice just waiting for me in my book.
Your books like stunning. And this is a great idea for getting feedback. Hope it’s useful to you. Thank you! Sarah 🙂
What a delight to read all these thoughtful and informative responses! Now, where did I leave my sketchbook?
I am currently using a 9×9, wire bound book. I love it’s paper and the hard backboard but there is no protection for the edges of the paper. Painting across the spiral is not something I have done but I have painted a full spread in bound books. I have space to paint, write, collage, or do all those at once on the same page with this particular size.
I would prefer 8 x 8, but haven’t been able to find the paper I like in that size. There are lots of watercolor blocks in 8 x 8 with nice hot press paper that would be perfect – but they aren’t bound! Some of my preferences would be:
A bound book that lies flat; 90# paper that can handle most media and take some watercolor without bleeding over to the other side and onto subsequent pages; a gentle white; firm coversa pen loop; a closure that protects the edges; pocket in the back is optional. Finally, it has to hold its own in my canvas bags that are always filled with magazines, pens, papers and file folders.