Review: Velos Bulldog Clip/Hook

 

The Velos Clip/Hook is technically a homeware item but I did find it in a stationery store, so I think it counts. 

 

Plus it looks like a bulldog clip. 

A bulldog clip with a hook on one end. 

This is a very convenient piece of kit to have. 

You can use it vertically or horizontally. 

There are many examples of uses such as for your umbrella, keys, and even outdoors. 

Also included are rubber strips you can place on the clips to protect the surface you're clipping on to. 

I bought the Medium and slim Medium size. 

The difference is mainly in the hook size but both carry similar amounts of weight. 

However, after using it for awhile, I would recommend buying the L size, the M size can only be used on surfaces 10mm and below, which rules out use on surfaces like tabletops and shelves. 

Overall, it's a very practical item. If you are really into stationery, this will fit well into your home. 

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June 2023 Printable

 Summer is upon us! 

And we have brought you a tropical themed printable for the month of June!

Download HERE.

Netprint (Japan) and IBON (Taiwan) details can be found on our instagram.

Do tag us in your creations! We would love to see them!

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Review: Hapila! Filing Helper Sticker

 A while ago, we reviewed the Kyowa Film Filing Seal which allowed you to turn anything into something that fit in a ring binder. Recently we spotted a similar item by Hapila! and decided to check it out too!

Filing Helper Sticker by Hapila!

There are 10 tabs in each pack. They are made of a transparent plastic that is fairly thick and does not bend easily.

To use, all you have to do is line up the holes on your insert against the guide.

Note: the insert i am using is for a 6 ring binder but there is also a guide for larger inserts for 4 ring binders as well.

Stick the tab according to the guide

And its done! 

You can repeat the process on the bottom half of the insert as well.

Since its made of thick plastic, its a lot more sturdy than the plastic film used by Kyowa. So this is recommended if you have something heavier to attach.

What do you think? Have you tried them out?

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Review: Rollbahn Flexible

 

Modular notebooks are great! If you're like me and constantly tearing pages out of notebooks, a modular system is easier to organise and use. 

The Rollbahn Flexible attracted me with it's hardcover notebook shell. 

I picked up the notebook shell, which comes with 40 sheets of grid layout paper and 1 notebook sleeve.

I also picked up a set of refill sheets in the grid layout and a set of 5 pockets. 

The Rollbahn Flexible system comes in 2 sizes, L and A5, and has quite a few options for refills. 

You can get a short width to do list, 4 section layout, lined layout and even a meeting layout. 

For accessories, there are the pockets, section dividers, shitajiki and a pocket with a zipper closure. 

There's also a file for archiving pages, that seems pretty handy!

Let's start with the cover, the front and back are hardcovers with a soft spine that holds the wire binder. 

There's also an elastic band for keeping the notebook closed which I find really helpful. 

Inside, there are 2 built in semi-opaque plastic sheets. As a default, these are placed before and after the paper but I'm sure you can move the paper around to utilise these are dividers. 

Unlike the refills, these are not removable. 

The refills are secured onto a partial wire spine, 4 rings and the top and bottom of the notebook. 

I found that this was a great idea as trying to fit paper into a fill wire spine seems pretty time consuming. 

The included pocket is also removable. 

The plastic is pretty thick and of good quality.

I can't believe I wrote all the above without mentioning the Rollbahn signature paper. 

It's a deeper cream than Midori so cream correction tape does not work well on Rollbahn paper. 

Rollbahn has their own correction tape so if it's something you use often, make sure to pick it up. 

Overall, I'm looking forward to using this modular notebook system, the paper is really nice and the inserts and details are well thought out.

I do wish the plastic divider was removable but that's a minor issue. 

What do you think of the Rollbahn Flexible? Is this a system you might invest in?

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Review: YUBITECT Ruler by SUNSTAR

Japanese Stationery brand Sunstar has made a new type of ruler called "YUBITECT" to protect those who use rulers with their cutters.

What makes it different? It comes with a guard that protects your fingertips!

At one point in time, almost everyone must have injured their hands before when cutting with a cutter and ruler. This can help eliminate some of the anxiety.

When you open the guard plate on the surface, it becomes a guard that protects your fingertips; allowing you to use the cutter safely.

The Other perks include

• The reverse side has a fine anti-slip matte finish for an anti-slip effect.
• The ruler size is 17cm, which is perfect for a B5 notebook (approximately W179 x H252mm).
• The main body is an acrylic material with high transparency that allows you to see clearly and makes it easy to draw lines.

However if you are left handed like myself, it does cause some hinderance. You can flip the ruler about but the numbers will be upside down. However if you are ok with that, it will still work just fine!

Overall, I think this is a useful item especially! What do you think?

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May 2023 Printable

 

I can't believe it's May already. 

You can download our printable here: Link

For netprint/ibon information, please see instagram. 

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Review: Kutsuwa Culicule x Mizutama Cafe Color Pencils

Stationery brand Kutsuwa has collaborated with Japanese illustrator Mizutama to produce a limited edition collection of their colored pencils Culicule line.

There are 6 different sets in all and I have picked up the CAFE theme to try.

Each set includes three different colors.

There is no need to use a pencil sharpener as it dispenses the core just by rotating the top of the pencil. And since the core is stored inside the pen shell, it is small enough to fit in a pencil case.

Swatches

Because it does not bleed or show through, it can be used for marking textbooks and decorating notebooks and notebooks.

I have always been a fan of the Culicule line so the cute illustrations on the packaging enhance them even more! A must have if you are fan of either or both the pencils and illustrator!

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Decorating Muji Paper Clips

 

Muji makes great basics, from furniture, to food, to stationery, everything can be customised to your own style and taste. 

The stationery range has a lot of good things to customise, like these paper clips. 

Each pack of paper clips comes in a pack of 5 and each clip can hold up to 5 sheets of paper. 

The clips are made of paper, which is important for our purposes. 

1. Pen/Marker

This is the most basic and easiest way to customise, the downside is there is a little bit of bleed on the paper material of the paper clip but it's not terrible. 

Use a sign/brush pen for a bit of flourish. 

2. Sticker Labels

To be able to reuse the clip, use labels to customise your paper clip. 

3. Printed labels 

If you don't like looking at your own handwriting, like me, print the labels or use sticker paper. 

4. Washi Tape

A combination of the above methods and a good way to use up washi tape. 

If you collect washi tape, you know what I mean!

5. Cute stickers

I found these cute stickers in Daiso and it's such a simple and cute way to add to the paperclip. 

Here's what it looks like in my notebook!

What do you think? What is your favourite way to customise the paper clip? 

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Review: DAISO Precision Design Knife

Here at TN5C we are always on the lookout for new compact stationery. So when DAISO put out a Precision Design Knife, you know we had to try it out!

At first glance it looks like a common pen or even a pen shaped paper cutter.

However upon closer inspection, you will see the tip of the "pen" is unlike any other.

Yes there is a really small blade at the end of the tip!

There is a small learning curve to using it [especially if you are left handed like myself] but once you have mastered it, it is surprisingly useful! It cuts well and like its namesake, it really does do a better job of cutting fine details compared to other pen knives.

The compact design also makes it easy to transport. As a matter of fact, it will fit in a small pen case without any problems.

What do you think? Have you tried this?

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April 2023 Printable

Its April and spring is truly upon us now!

Enjoy our latest free printable ^^

Download HERE.

Netprint (Japan) and IBON (Taiwan) details can be found on our instagram.

Do tag us in your creations! We would love to see them!

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Review: DAISO MT X Dagashi Masking Tape

Popular Japanese 100yen store DAISO has released a masking tape collection with a DAGASHI theme. Dagashi are cheap retro sweets popular amongst both children and adults. The tape is made by THE iconic masking tape maker MT as well.

Here are two we picked up

The packaging illustration is extremely cute.

Here is how it looks like unrolled.

Since its mt tape, the quality is very much assured. Both in print quality and how well it sticks/removes. The designs are whimsical and if you are a fan of dagashi, you cannot miss out on getting it ^^

And being from DAISO, the price point cannot be beat either!

Hope DAISO will carry more mt tape!

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Review: Pilot ILMILY highlighter in Night Sakura

 

I love my highlighters. 

Contrary to popular belief, they're a very versatile writing tool. 

Stationery brands agree, and here we have the ILMILY color two color highlighter by pilot. 

The ILMILY line of pens also includes a ballpen, both products are colour changing. 

There is a primary colour that you write/highlight with and you apply friction with a rubber tip at the other end of the pen to change the colour of the ink. 

I purchased the highlighter in the colour 'Night Sakura'. 

The primary colour being 'Night', a midnight blue and the colour changer being 'Sakura', which is of course, pink!

The night colour is too dark to highlight text but is great for adding colour to a page, the sakura colour is a nice accent. 

Unfortunately, because the friction required is quite a lot, it was difficult to draw shapes using the rubber end. Straight lines are easier and produce a better result. 

Other than minor detail, the night sakura version of the ILMILY line is really nice. 

I'm impressed that the colours are both quite different but they compliment each other and produce a nice effect. 

I'll definitely look out for more of these pens. 

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