What Type of Page Ruling Should You Use?

The ruling of notebooks is a serious consideration for any stationery addict. Gone are the days of college or wide ruled. Now there are so many choices! For some people, the ruling can make or break a purchase. But for others, they are more flexible or have specific uses for unusual rulings. I used to be a rigid, “lined only”, person. Maybe it was conditioned into me after years of using only lined notebooks, for schoolwork and creative writing. I remember scoffing at dot grid thinking it was silly. Now I use a mixture of lined, dot grid and blank paper, depending on my usage. Though I still like lined paper for long note-taking, I used a dot grid Baron Fig notebook for my last story journal. And I always carry a grid Field Notes in my backpack!

Lined

This is the classic ruling, the one you used in school and work and likely everywhere. It comes in many sizes, from 5mm to 8mm. It can be boring or constricting to some, but for me I appreciate its structure. It keeps my handwriting from tilting downwards and looking sloppy. However, some brands have too-dark lines or have too wide or too narrow ruling. Lines are harder to ignore and if they are dark they can distract from your words. If you like structure, tradition or easy accessibility, you should use lined.

Ex: Lined can be found with almost every notebook, but I enjoy paper with light, easily ignored lines, like Clairefontaine My Essentials and the Nanami Seven Seas Writer (currently out of stock)

Dot Grid

Many stationery users love dot grid. It has become massively popular because of bullet journaling for its flexible structure and ability to fade behind words. Dots are usually light and inconspicuous. They stop new writers from fearing the blank page or feel smothered by lines. It almost always is in 5mm spacing but I have seen templates online that are 7mm. If you like doodling, are interested in bullet-journaling, and want to have even words without bold lines, dot grid is good to try out.

Ex: Since dot grid is becoming so popular, it’s becoming easier to find it. The Baron Fig Confidant, Rhodia Webbie and Leuchtturm1917 have dotted paper.

Grid

I used to use grid only for math homework, but then found out they were perfect for making lists and charts. I carry around a Field Notes in my backpack to jot down notes, ideas, to-do lists, songs I heard, etc. They are too busy looking for me to use in my larger notebooks, but many people appreciate this ruling in A5. It’s usually in 5mm, but Write Notepads used 4mm in its latest limited edition, Sakura. If you like precise lines, order, making lists and diagrams then you should try out square grid.

Ex: Most of my Field Notes are gridded and are good for jotting down to-do lists. I don’t use them in larger notebooks. The paper here is from the Field Notes Campfire, not available anymore. But the Original Kraft Field Notes come in grid and many of the limited editions have grids too.

Reticle

This is an unusual ruling, one I haven’t seen very often. It is more substantial than dot grid, with tiny crosses each spaced at 5mm. It’s basically the same as dot grid, to be honest. I like it for the aesthetics, mostly. 😉

Ex: The paper shown here is from the Nanami Seven Seas Crossfield notebook (just went out of stock). I haven’t seen many reticle grid paper besides that, except for Field Notes Lunacy and the recent Coastal edition. I hope creators make more notebooks with reticle grid!

Blank

Blank paper is a canvas for you to put anything onto, whether its writing or doodles or full illustrations. It is fun to use but can be intimidating if your handwriting tilts downwards like mine. I use blank only in my sketchbooks because I like having a line of some sort. However, Ana at the Well-Appointed desk, made wonderful templates for any ruling you could imagine. Just print out the template size you want and slip the paper behind your page to give it the allusion of lines so your writing is neater.

Ex: Baron Fig Vanguard has creamy thick paper perfect for both fountain pens and pencils. I like sketching with it because the Vanguard is light and portable. Story Supply Co. also has fountain pen friendly paper with less tooth than BF.

Conclusion:

Don’t be afraid to try a different type of ruling. You may become more productive with a grid, or the order of lines. What is your favorite paper ruling? Are there any you like that I haven’t posted here?