We love stationery! Blogposts weekly every Friday and free printable monthly.

Friday, May 29, 2020

June 2020 Printable

June is upon us! For those of you who are working on your journals, we are at the halfway point this year now so how has it been going?

This month's printable is dedicated to our love for washi tape and the neutral palette.
Let us see your layouts and creations!
Tag us at #tn5cprintable !


Download here: Link
Or
Check out our instagram for netprint [Japan only] and ibon [taiwan only] information.

We are also pleased to announce that our store has reopened and the ever popular printable washi paper is also restocked so do check it out!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheNumber5Co

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Friday, May 22, 2020

Pilot+Lihit Lab A4/A5 Folder


This has to be my favourite thing I've bought this year.
If you're someone who carries documents around all the time, you will love this. 


This file is a collaboration by Pilot and Lihit Lab. 
It's an A5 folder that also fits A4 paper.


As you can see, it's half the size of an A4 folder.

The selling points are that it is compact, there's a band to secure it, it fits both A4 and A5 paper, and the A4 paper does not form creases when stored in this folder. 


I carry a lot of A4 documents for work.
Usually, I would have to either carry a bag that fits an A4 folder or carry the folder separately in order not to fold the paper (because it's not nice to present folded paper to the other person).  Plus, the A4 folder would have to be quite rigid and heavy in order to keep the A4 documents neat. 


This folder solves all those problems, it is made out of thick PP material that is also lightweight.
This keeps the paper neat.

There's also a unique crease which does not produce a fold in the paper and as a bonus, also serves as a pen holder. 


In conclusion, this is a very practical folder and it is also inexpensive!  
I think want to buy another one in a more business friendly colour. 

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Friday, May 15, 2020

Review: Daiso Korea Calligraphy Practise Set

Here at TN5C, we are huge fans of DAISO. So much so, we specially sought out a store during our last trip to Seoul! In case you did not know, unlike many DAISOs outside of Japan which carry about 70% of the same inventory, the one in Korea has almost completely different stock exclusive to them (Think about 70% of their stock). 

Today we will talk about their calligraphy practise set!

Contents include, a plastic guide, word examples, paper and a brush pen. Great value for your 1000won [Approx 1usd]

To practise, you stack the semi translucent paper atop the example words and trace them as best as you can. It helps one grasp the sizing and characters without having to memorize them which in turn might distract you from concentrating on your handwriting. The plastic guide holds the paper stack in place making it secure as you write.

Have you tried this?
What methods have you used to practice calligraphy?
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Friday, May 8, 2020

Simply Lettering Magazine, Issue 1


One of the things I like to do when I travel is go to a supermarket and at the supermarket, I like to browse the magazine racks. 

There always a wide array of magazines such as tabloids, tech, women's, food but I'm usually looking for a craft magazine. 


On a trip to London last year, I picked up Simply Lettering issue 1 at a Sainbury's.

If you're like me, you're probably thinking the pens are the biggest draw of this magazine. 

Also included are some practice templates and a magazine.  


The magazine included pages of supplies, things one might need to take up Modern Calligraphy as a hobby. 


Besides an introduction the basics, there were also articles with techniques one might use after becoming more confident in their skills, as well as interviews with calligraphers and hand letterers. 



The template book included a number of different styles of calligraphy and flourishes. 


However, I was most interested in the Brush Lettering starter set. 
It came with 2 pens, 1 black and 1 grey and they were double ended, brush tip and fine tip.




I ended up comparing it to the tombow, as it has the same brush and fine tip ends and the tombow is my favourite brush pen. 
With the starter set pen, the ink is not as pigmented and the pen is not as smooth as the tombow. 
I also found that after a few uses, the tip of the starter set pen did not stay as sharp as I would've liked. 

  

Despite its shortcomings, I think that for practice and first timers, it is adequate. 
Just be prepared to upgrade later on. 

Looking at their website, it seems they're up to issue 6! 
Have you purchased this magazine? How do you like it? 
Let us know below! 

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Friday, May 1, 2020

Review: MUNHWA XENO brush pens


You can buy stationery anywhere and this was one of those things I picked up randomly at a supermarket in Korea but it worked out so well I went back and bought another set the next day!

Munhwa XENO brush pens 
Price: 3000won (Approx 3usd)

There are two pens in the set, one is thick and the other medium. 

Ink flow is almost too quick so one must be careful and use thick paper to prevent ink seeping through. However it is very smooth to write or draw with. 

When dried, it holds up against alcohol markers quite well. There is still some ink dispersal but its still mostly acceptable. However you must wait for the ink to dry and that can take some time.

Have you tried these pens?
What do you think of them?

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