Notebooks with Logo: A5, A6, Hardcovers and Paper Types
A guide to notebooks with logo printing: differences between A5 and A6 formats, choosing hardcover or softcover, paper types, and approximate prices from EUR 0.95/pc.
Notebooks with logo printing are one of the most practical items for office and gift use: A6 models in our catalogue start from around EUR 0.95/pc at 100 pcs, A5 hardcover notebooks from EUR 1.44/pc, and gift sets with a pen from EUR 2.07/pc (prices excl. VAT, excl. printing). A hardcover means the notebook will hold up in a bag or on a desk for at least a year, and it can be finished with hot foil stamping, embossing, screen printing or full-colour digital printing. Production time with printing is usually 6–10 business days.
Hardcover or softcover: which to choose
A hardcover (cardboard base covered with paper, PET or faux leather) is rigid – you can write while holding the notebook in your hand, and the cover won't crumple in a backpack. It's also a better surface for embossing and hot foil stamping, since the firm base doesn't give way, keeping the logo impression sharper. Hardcovers weigh more and cost roughly 20–40% more than a similarly sized softcover notebook.
Softcovers (flexible PU or cardboard sheet) are thinner and lighter – a logical choice for conference bags, where price and weight matter across 200–500 attendees. If the notebook is a gift for a client or employee and will be used daily, a hardcover will last longer.
Quick comparison
- Hardcover: gifts, management sets, sales teams, representation.
- Softcover: event bags, school and training materials, large runs on a limited budget.
A5 or A6: choosing the format by use case
A5 (approximately 148×210 mm) is the standard working format – comfortable for taking notes during meetings, fits inside an A4 folder, and offers enough space on the cover for both logo and tagline. It's also the format clients most often order as an annual gift.
A6 (approximately 105×148 mm) is a pocket format – lighter, cheaper and suitable when the notebook is part of a set or distributed in large quantities. On an A6 cover, the logo needs to be planned more compactly, usually in one colour or as a small embossed mark.
| Format | Typical use | Price from (100 pcs, excl. printing) | Suitable printing method |
|---|---|---|---|
| A6 hardcover | pocket notebook, part of a set | from EUR 0.95/pc | pad printing, 1-colour screen printing, hot foil stamping |
| A5 hardcover | meetings, annual gift | from EUR 1.44/pc | screen printing, digital printing, embossing |
| A5 recycled paper / faux leather | sustainability messaging | from EUR 1.68/pc | hot foil stamping, embossing, digital sticker |
| A5 set with pen | client gift, new employee set | from EUR 2.07/pc | cover printing + pen engraving |
| Premium set | management, partners, anniversaries | from EUR 13.52/pc | laser engraving, hot foil stamping |
Paper types and inner pages
The standard block in promotional notebooks is 70–80 g/m² offset paper, 80–96 pages. This is sufficient for pen and pencil; with a highlighter or ink, thinner paper may allow show-through. Cream-coloured paper looks softer and is more often used in premium models, while white paper is more neutral and shows full-colour printing better if you want your own design on the pages.
Page types:
- Lined – the most versatile, for meetings and notes.
- Grid – for technical calculations, manufacturing, engineers.
- Dot grid – for sketches, planning, bullet journal style.
- Blank pages – for drawings, ideas, design teams.
It's also worth mentioning recycled paper and recycled PET covers – if your company's communication has a sustainability angle, these models support it through the material itself, not just text on the cover.
Printing techniques for the cover
- Hot foil stamping (foil) – gold, silver or white foil; a clear, elegant single colour that works well on faux leather and PU covers.
- Embossing/debossing – logo without colour, shape only; requires a simple, not overly detailed logo.
- Screen printing and pad printing – 1–3 colours, durable, cost-effective for larger runs.
- Digital printing and full-colour sticker – for gradient or multicolour logos; also suitable for small runs of just a few pieces.
- DTF transfer – suitable for textiles and some PET covers, full-colour image.
We confirm the print area and position for each model in an artwork proof – we send a visualisation with your logo at the correct scale, and production only starts once you approve it by email.
Examples from our catalogue
Some examples from our catalogue:
- Spectrum A5 notebook with hardcover – paper and plastic, 14 colours, suitable for screen and digital printing; from EUR 1.46 at 1 pc and from EUR 1.44 at 100 pcs.
- Spectrum A6 notebook with hardcover – plastic cover, 11 colours, pad printing or hot foil stamping; from EUR 0.96 at 1 pc and from EUR 0.95 at 100 pcs.
- Spectrum Plus A5 notebook with hardcover – paper and plastic, 11 colours, also available with a full-colour doming sticker; from EUR 1.92 at 1 pc and from EUR 1.88 at 100 pcs.
- Spectrum A5 recycled material notebook with hardcover – faux leather cover, 8 colours, looks great with hot foil stamping; from EUR 1.68 at 1 pc.
- Spectrum A5 notebook with blank pages – blank pages for sketches, 7 colours, digital printing or screen printing; from EUR 1.46 at 1 pc.
Price, quantities and timelines
The final price is made up of the product price at the given quantity, the printing cost per piece, and a one-off setup fee (die, foil stamp or file preparation). This is why at 20 pcs the setup fee raises the price per piece noticeably, while at 250–500 pcs it practically evens out. A realistic benchmark: an A5 notebook with single-colour printing at 100 pcs costs approximately EUR 2.50–3.50/pc in total, excl. VAT.
Production with printing usually takes 4–7 business days depending on quantity, plus 2–3 days for delivery – totalling 6–10 business days. We look at urgent jobs on a case-by-case basis. Please send files in vector format (.ai, .eps, .pdf, .svg), CMYK; raster images at 300 dpi. You can find more about promotional products with a logo and browse the full catalogue on our website.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order quantity for notebooks with a logo?
We also work with orders of just 1 piece – in that case, printing is done digitally or with a sticker. The best price per piece starts from 50–100 pcs, as the setup fee is spread over a larger quantity.
Is a hardcover really a better choice than a softcover?
If the notebook is a gift or will be used daily – yes, it holds its shape and looks better with embossing or hot foil stamping. For large event runs on a lower budget, softcovers are perfectly sufficient.
Which paper should I choose if writing with ink or a marker?
Look for a thicker block (80 g/m² and above) or cream-coloured paper; on thinner 70 g/m² paper, ink may show through on the other side. If unsure, we can show you a sample before ordering.
Can the inside pages also be printed?
FAQ
What is the minimum order quantity for notebooks with a logo?
We also work with orders of just 1 piece – in that case, printing is done digitally or with a full-colour sticker. The best price per piece starts from 50–100 pcs, as the one-off setup fee is spread over a larger quantity.
Is a hardcover a better choice than a softcover?
If the notebook is a gift or will be used daily – yes, a hardcover holds its shape and looks better with embossing or hot foil stamping. For large event runs on a limited budget, softcovers are sufficient.
Which paper should I choose if writing with ink or a marker?
Choose a thicker block (80 g/m² and above) or cream-coloured paper. On thinner 70 g/m² paper, ink may show through on the other side of the page.
A5 or A6 – which format will suit me better?
A5 (148×210 mm) is a working format for meetings and annual gifts, while A6 (105×148 mm) is a pocket format that's cost-effective for large runs and sets. A6 prices in our catalogue start from EUR 0.95/pc at 100 pcs.
How long does an order with printing take?
Production takes 4–7 business days depending on quantity, plus 2–3 days for delivery – usually 6–10 business days in total. We review urgent jobs on an individual basis.
Which files should I send for logo printing?
Vector files work best – .ai, .eps, .pdf or .svg, in CMYK. Raster images need to be 300 dpi at the actual print size. Before production, we send an artwork proof for approval by email.
