As a stationery enthusiast, I had known about paper republic for a long time. Yet, despite several plans to visit their store in Vienna — just about an hour from my home — I had never actually experienced the brand in person. My intention was simple: to have a look, feel the leather, and test the paper they use. Pure curiosity, nothing more.

The day I first encountered their products in real life, I was already planning to meet a friend — also a pen collector — for coffee in Vienna. I still had about 45 minutes to spare, so I decided to stop by the store, thinking I could easily fit it in.

From a distance, just by looking at the storefront, I immediately felt that something was different — that this would not be an ordinary visit. I won’t dwell here on the architecture, the timeless interior design, or how impressive the store itself is, because this article is not about that. What did surprise me, however, was that the store also has a café. Naturally, I moved our meeting there without hesitation.

I then spent the next forty-five minutes immersed in those fascinating notebooks — comparing them, testing them, and experiencing them as a long-time Traveler’s Notebook user. It was a moment to slow down and truly enjoy. And I have to say: everything — absolutely everything — captivated me. That is why today I am unboxing my very first paper republic notebook, in the XL version, roughly equivalent to an A5 format, serving both as a notebook and a planner.

Before I continue, I want to address a question that will likely come to mind: why am I stepping away from the Traveler’s Notebook?

There are several reasons, but the most important one is the format. The elongated Japanese format no longer suits me, and an A5 — or even an A4 format for desk use — feels far more natural and practical for the way I work and write.

First impressions

When I think back to my first impression, I still get goosebumps. The truth is, I’m not even sure which impression came first — there were so many at once, and the entire experience felt intense from the very beginning. I almost hesitate to write these words because it might sound as if Paper Republic paid me to say this — they didn’t. But let me try to set the emotions aside, at least for a moment.

Everything — truly everything — is thoughtfully designed down to the smallest detail. The website, the ordering process, the way products are structured and presented, the breadth of choices, and the follow-up communication. And then the package arrived — beautifully designed in its own right. I’ll be honest: while unboxing the products, my hands were literally shaking. And that says a lot, considering how many pens I’ve unboxed over the years — including many I once considered absolute dream pieces.

The leather cover

I open an unassuming box, and with just a slight lift of the lid I’m immediately greeted by an incredibly rich, powerful scent of leather. My first thought is: wow — it’s a shame you can’t smell this, because it’s absolutely beautiful. I’m fully aware that the cover will collect plenty of marks and scars with use, so I unwrap it carefully, trying to preserve those first few moments when it still looks untouched.

Beautiful black leather, closed with a red cord (the color isn’t quite my favorite, but I’ll probably replace it with a different one later), and then I open it.

I have to admit — I love compartments, and there are so many of them here. Spaces for small items, business cards, postcards, stickers, and all those little things I enjoy carrying with me. This genuinely surprised and delighted me, because it’s one of my key criteria even when choosing a bag: the more compartments, the better. This immediately felt right.

There is one slightly unusual detail, though: my cover has a strip of leather in a different shade along the top inner edge when opened. I’m not sure whether this is normal or not, but it does feel a bit odd. As a perfectionist, it catches my eye more than I’d like.

That said, the quality of the leather itself is outstanding. I have a very good feeling about it. It’s different from what you may be used to with a Traveler’s Notebook, and honestly, I prefer this leather. It feels more raw, more honest — more real. I’m genuinely curious and excited to see how this cover will look after years of use.

The elastic bands inside the notebook have just the right amount of tension, the cover feels wonderful to the touch — so now it’s time to fill it.

Options and refills

One of the major strengths of the paper republic system is its modularity. The brand does not rely on a single type of notebook, but instead offers multiple sizes and refill options, allowing users to build a system that truly matches their personal workflow and writing style.

Paper Republic works with interchangeable refills available in the following main formats:

• Pocket (A6) – a compact size ideal for everyday carry, quick notes, and writing on the go.
• A5 – the most versatile format, suitable for journaling, planning, and longer texts.
• A4 – designed primarily for work-related notes, projects, and structured content management.

For these formats, there is a wide range of refill types available: blank pages, ruled, dotted, grid layouts, planners, and dedicated book refills. The system is designed to let users combine multiple refills within a single leather cover and replace them regularly as needed.

One practical drawback worth mentioning – From my perspective, the system has one notable limitation: the refills are not true A5 in size. Paper Republic uses its own custom dimensions, which differ slightly from standard formats.

Paper used in paper republic notebooks

Paper Republic offers several types of paper that differ in both weight and intended use. From the very first touch, it’s clear that the paper selection is anything but random — these are above-average quality papers, designed for long-term use rather than quick, disposable notes.

Within the refill portfolio, the following paper weights can be found:

• 80 g/m²
• 100 g/m²
• 120 g/m²
• 130 g/m² and 150 g/m² in the art and drawing books
• 300 g/m² in the watercolor book

How I personally evaluate paper – Paper is an extremely important topic for me. I’m quite obsessive in this area and have conducted my own research, testing, and comparisons across dozens of papers using various fountain pens and inks. For that reason, evaluating Paper Republic’s paper comes relatively naturally to me.

What I particularly appreciate:

• good paper opacity,
• reasonable ink drying times,
• and an overall refined, controlled writing feel.

That said, honesty matters. Some inks can present challenges on these papers. Occasional ink spreading or feathering does occur, especially with wetter pen and ink combinations. It’s not dramatic, but it is noticeable for more sensitive fountain pen users.

Binding and usability – A major strength is the notebook binding. The notebooks open completely flat, a feature I personally value highly — and one I also apply in my FMP notebooks. When writing, this detail makes a significant difference in comfort and usability.

Overall assessment of the paper – From a global perspective, I consider paper republic’s paper to be well above average. However, it is not paper I would describe as being ideal specifically for fountain pens.

• 300 g/m² in the watercolor book is unnecessarily thick for fountain pen writing.
• 150 g/m² in the art books represents the best compromise — though still not fully ideal for demanding fountain pen users.

Personally, I miss having a paper option that is explicitly optimized for fountain pens — something thinner, smoother, and with better ink control. If paper republic were to move in this direction, it would be a very strong step forward in my eyes.

The pen – Le Stylo

You may be wondering what I think about paper republic’s pen, Le Stylo, which I also own. I do regret that fountain pens are not currently available, because that would be a category I could evaluate even more enthusiastically. That said, when I look at the overall design language of their pens, I genuinely appreciate the minimalist and clean aesthetic. There is nothing unnecessary, nothing visually distracting.

The range of color options is more than sufficient, and the use of premium materials — aluminium and brass — feels well considered. I own the aluminium version, and to be completely honest, it feels very light in my hand. It’s excellent for travel or daily planning, but personally, I like to feel some weight in a pen. If I were choosing again, I would probably go for the brass version, even though it is the most expensive option.

What really surprised me, however, was the refill. Although the pen uses a standard ballpoint refill (similar to those found in Faber-Castell pens), the writing experience feels closer to a fineliner. The line is very fine and controlled, and I have to say it writes beautifully thanks to this refill — even without a traditional nib.

Customer experience

If someone were to write a book on how to communicate with customers, how to structure communication timelines, and what to communicate at each stage, it should be written by the people at paper republic. Everything is thought through in detail — not only the products and the store, but also the communication itself.

I honestly think I will use them as a reference point even in my own professional world of online marketing. The communication is polite, personal, and rich in detail, yet perfectly balanced in intensity — present without ever becoming intrusive. From employee illustrations and handwritten personal notes to the quality of the content itself, everything feels intentional.

I genuinely believe that if any issue were to arise with their products, it would be handled properly and with care. I can’t fully explain why, but that sense of trust is there — and I believe it’s justified.

Overall evaluation

I’ll repeat something I always say when I’m truly satisfied with a product: why didn’t I buy the Paper Republic system much earlier? That’s exactly what I keep thinking.

For five years, I used Cartier diary refills — excellent, premium, but incredibly expensive, which eventually led me to stop buying them. I then tried Nuuna for a year. At first, it felt fine, but overall it didn’t work for me, especially as a planner. After that came the Traveler’s Notebook, where the small, atypical format didn’t suit me, and neither did the paper — too thin, with too few options to choose from.

That’s why I’m genuinely grateful to have ended up with paper republic this year. I can honestly say it’s the best system I’ve used so far. Yes, I might choose a different paper for fountain pen use, and no, it’s not absolutely perfect — I can find a few small imperfections. But those imperfections exist mainly because my personal preferences are very specific.

Overall, I consider Paper Republic to be world-class. You can say whatever you want about Japanese brands like Hobonichi Techo and others — and I say this as a huge admirer of Japan and Japanese products — but for me, this Austrian brand has surpassed them.

One potential downside is the price. It is slightly higher than I would have expected, especially when it comes to the leather cover. The refill pricing feels fair, but the initial investment into the Paper Republic system is undeniably higher. That said, quality comes at a price.