Review: Offcut by Allegro Print

 

We should support local businesses whenever possible. 

I found this paper brand at a sustainable festival and I love what they're doing so I just have to share. 

Offcut is an upcycled stationery brand by Allegro Print, a Singaporean printing company. 
They repurpose waste paper from their print productions into refreshed stationery.

 I love the idea and the notepads they produce feel very purposeful and well thought through. 

I picked up 2 notepads, meeting agenda and assorted list. 

Whilst assorted list is a pretty standard to-do list, meeting agenda comes in 2 versions, a standard print version and a reverse version, where the text is printed mirrored on the reverse side of the paper. 

It shows through, albeit faintly but it appears to be printed that way as the printed side is a more shiny paper and the usable side is matte, which makes it a more suitable side for writing. 

I tested both sides of meeting agenda and assorted list. 

However, the paper type for each design may differ depending on the available leftovers.

 

In general, the paper used is of good quality. 

The paper for assorted list was thicker and better to write on than the double sided meeting agenda. 

Although the permanent marker did bleed through the paper used for meeting agenda, both notepads worked well with ballpen, highlighter, brush pen and permanent marker.

The reverse meeting agenda is a really interesting concept. 

I initially bought it because it seemed different.

Then after awhile, I felt it might not be useful, the text was difficult to see through the paper. 

The more I used it though, the more I understood the concept. 

First, using the shiny side of the paper for writing would not be very practical and the matte side did not look like it was the printable side so by mirroring it, both sides can be used effectively. 

Second, even though the text was difficult to see through the paper, I realised the subtlety of the lines made is easier to write on. 

If you're like me, tracing the relevant text might also be kind of fun. 

So this notepad works out well for people who like a contrast between the grid and the notes being written down. 

For more information on Offcut, see here.

I think this brand has a good identity and the products are fresh and fun. 

I will definitely look to them to purchase my future notepads. 

What do you think? Isn't using leftover materials a great idea? 

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Review: Hapila! Clear Photo Album [L size 64 pocket]

If you are anything like me, you must collect a lot of decorative papers like photos and cards. So how do you organise them?

Recently I chanced upon this album by hapila! High Clarity Photo Album [L size 64 pocket]

In case you are not familiar, L size in Japan for photos refers to the ever popular 3R sized photos found overseas.

The high clarity pockets make it easy to see the photographs or cards clearly.

So what happens when you have something bigger? For example: A postcard

That's not going to fit in a L size pocket.

Well that's not a problem with this album because there is also an opening at the top where you can slide a postcard in.

The embossed lines that originally separated the L size pockets are now holding the postcard in place. Ingenious isnt it?

Honestly, I think the possibilities are endless!

Some combinations I can think of include

- Greeting card + photos

-Travel postcard + trip photos

-Event invitation + event photos

The outer semi transparent plastic design is also very reminiscent of MUJI's simplistic style and will go very well with most aesthetics.

What do you think?

Would you buy it?

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Review: Shachihata Rotating Decoration Stamp Mini

 

Rotating stamps are so fun, you can squeeze so many designs in a small form factor. 

The shachihata rotation stamp mini lured me in with the beautiful stars design so of course I had to get it. 

(I used soramame ink pads) 

The construction of the stamp is good, it feels weighty and the rotating mechanism is smooth and easy to use. 

Unfortunately my stamping skills were a bit rusty so not everything turned out well but I enjoyed the stamp and will definitely use it more. 

What do you think? Is this something you might be interested in? 

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October 2024 Printable

Fall season is upon us and we print you a brand new printable~!

Download here: PDF

For ibon/netprint information, please see our instagram post.

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Monami Pens Haul

As a follow up to our last post, these are the pens I purchased at the Monami store! 

I chose pens from 3 different price points to try. 

The cheapest is the Flip 3 (2,100 krw), followed by the Zenith 7 (4,000krw), the most expensive is the 153 Neo (15,000 krw). 

You might have been thinking the price differences were pretty big but they're all very affordable. 

My favourite is the 153 Neo, the ballpoint pen is heavy and feels nice to hold. The ballpoint ink is 0.7mm and is smooth and pigmented. Great for work documents and general everyday use. 

The Zenith 7 is also a pretty decent ballpoint pen, not as heavy but it looks classic and quite professional. 

The multi pen flip 3 is my least favourite.

It's the cheapest but also the least pleasant to use, I guess the price reflects the quality. 

I've reviewed many multi pens for the blog but this was the scratchiest pen I've ever come across. 

If you need to purchase pens in bulk, this will do but otherwise I wouldn't recommend it. 

Also, if you purchase a premium pen at the store, you can get free engraving! 

I took up the offer and I'm pretty pleased with my pen. 

Once again, if you're in seoul, definitely checkout the Monami store! 

 

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Stationery Shopping: Monami in Seoul, South Korea

 

I just got back from a short trip to Seoul and wanted to share my experience at the Monami store in Seongsu. 

The store is outside exit 4 of Seongsu station on line 2 of the Seoul Metro. 

Monami is a south korean stationery brand, they make everything from pens to office supplies to calligraphy tools and are widely available due to their affordable prices. 

The store has been at this location for a while not and it's pretty big for a standalone brand store in the area. 

When you walk in, you're greeted by the custom ink mixing station called ink lab next to the payment counter. I think the ink lab requires a reservation but I had dropped in casually and didn't make one. 

The store sells a wide variety of items including souvenir cards...

...apparel....

...stickers, tape and paper for journalling. 

There's also a wide range of their pens, markers, pencils and calligraphy tools. 

At the back of the store, you'll find a DIY pen station, you can pick the ink refill, body, and cap to make your own pen! 

There's also a vending machine if the store is crowded and you'd like something in a hurry. 

Also, vending machines are always fun so give it a try anyway! 

It's not really a stationery store without notebooks, they had some custom notebook options and they also carried other brands. 

Like this moleskine collab with Harry Potter, which I thought was very pretty. 

I had a fun time browsing the store, I already own some of their pens and markers so deciding what to buy turned out to be more difficult than I thought. 

Tune in next week for my review on what I purchased in the store. 

If you're in the Seongsu area, and you most likely will as it's one of the trending areas in Seoul, definitely drop by the Monami store! 

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Review : Yamada Sticky Notes Case with Clip

Recently I have discovered a new way to carry my sticky notes [fusen] around.

This is the Sticky notes case made by Yamada.

The case is made of a semi clear plastic making the design reminiscent of the products made by MUJI.

The case slides open and you can store your sticky notes on the inside.

It comes with a clip on the back for easy attachment to your journal or diary, making it easier to carry around.

You can probably use it to store other small items like paperclips as well.

Overall thoughts

I used to store my sticky notes inside my pen case and that resulted in them getting folded, dirty or detached from the stack. It is also difficult to find it quickly at times and I don't carry a pen case everywhere i go.

This protects the sticky notes, keeping it clean and much easier to locate. The clear design makes it easy to match things I already own and its a design style I personally like.

What do you think?

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September 2024 Printable

 

September printable! 

Download here: link

For netprint and ibon information, please see our instagram

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Review: SERIA デザインテンプレート Schedule

Here at TN5C we are always on the hunt for useful stationery. And today we will be sharing a design template to use in our planners and diaries!

Design template: Schedule

The size is approximately 120mm x 80 mm

So its easy to use, store and bring on the go.

It contains two sheets: an "icon" on the right and a "frame" on the left.

They are made of a thin durable plastic.

Here's how they look like traced with a highlighter.

The "icon" section is full of illustrations that are good for daily use.

The small size is also suitable for the monthly pages of a planner.

You can fill in the gaps after tracing as well. [see below]

The "frame" sheet is a collection of shapes that you will be useful and made easy because you only have to trace it.

Needless to say, it also makes a good portable ruler.

As a matter of fact, the icons sheet has a ruler with measurements printed on it.

Overall thoughts:

This template is a useful item that allows you to easily draw beautiful patterns just by tracing them with a pen. They also allow you to quickly draw simple illustrations even if you are not good at drawing.

What do you think?

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Review: Daiso Korea Masking Tape Storage Box

We've previously talked about how Daiso in Korea, whilst it shares the same name as the original Japan chain, sells quite a number of things that are specific to the Korea store. 

As a sidenote, the logo and pricing is also different. 

Items start from KRW1000 , unlike Japan where items are JPY100 (before tax) unless otherwise stated. 

On my last trip, I picked up this masking tape drawer/box. 

It was KRW1000, which is roughly USD0.74, a very good deal!

 

It has a sliding drawer with a button to secure the box and it holds about 10 rolls of standard width washi tape. 

It's also made of pp material so it's pretty sturdy, great for taking some rolls out for travel journalling. 

Also, the drawer catches on the button on the sleeve and prevents the sleeve from leaving the box completely but really makes it feel more secure. 

I managed to squeeze in 10 rolls of random washi tape but here's what I found: 

• Full rolls of MT tape are too wide and won't fit. 
• 10 regular width rolls will fit but it is a bit difficult to take them out after. 
• the button on the sleeve catches on the drawer and stops the drawer from leaving the sleeve altogether, but that leaves 2 rolls of tape from being accessible

Even with all the small issues, for KRW1000, I think this is a great item to pickup. It's also a good way to bring home more washi tape! 

and don't forget to check out out all the other cool stationery at Daiso Korea! 

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Review: Daiso Sticker Case/Storage

 

Where do you store stickers? That's the eternal conundrum. 

There's folders, boxes, books, so many ways. 

These sticker cases I picked up from Daiso might be the perfect travel option/

The case comes in 2 sizes, small (172 x 112 x 31mm) and large (153 x 103 x 22mm)

The large fits a standard long sheet sticker including any backing sheet it may come with. The small fits both the square sheets of stickers and packs of individually cut stickers. It fit all my stickers so unless it's a custom size, I think you'll be able to store any sticker sheet.

The main feature of the case is this notch at the bottom, you know how it's such a pain to take out stickers stacked and stored in boxes, this notch allows you to remove the sheets with ease. 

It also reduces damage that might caused when you remove the stickers from the case. 

Of course, the downside is that dust will go in easily so it is advisable to keep the stickers in the original packaging. 

The case has 2 more cool features, one is these bumps on the bottom and top of the case. 

These line up, allowing you to stack the cases securely, and as a bonus, the small case lines up with the large one, although it's only on one side so it's less stable. 

The last feature are these hooks, if you don't want to stack the boxes, you can hang them instead. 

I think it's great to have all these options. 

I think these boxes are a great way to store stickers, the plastic is sturdy and being able to remove the stored stickers is really a plus. 

Personally I already have a sticker storage system in place but I will definitely be bringing this on holiday, with stickers or maybe to store newly bought stickers. 

What do you think about these cases? 

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