MD PRODUCT Notebook A5 Grid

MD PRODUCT Notebook A5 Grid

The MD PRODUCT Notebook A5 Grid provides 176 cream MD PAPER pages with a practical 5 mm grid. It offers enough structure for organised work without limiting how each page can be used. A versatile choice for fountain pen users, students, designers and journal writers, it supports notes, diagrams, planning, calculations, layouts and accurate sketches.

A grid for flexible organisation

The 5 mm grid provides a useful reference for aligning handwriting, creating tables, positioning elements and maintaining proportion in a drawing. Additional indications at five- and ten-square intervals make counting and dividing the page easier without restricting the combination of text, numbers and illustrations.

The layout takes inspiration from traditional Japanese genkō yōshi manuscript paper, where individual spaces help establish an ordered writing rhythm. The MD version adapts this principle to a more flexible format suited to notes, calculations, charts, calendars, mind maps and pages combining written and visual information.

Thread stitching for a flat writing surface

The notebook is constructed from sections joined with durable thread stitching. It opens completely flat at 180 degrees, making the area close to the centre fold easy to reach. Writers can use every part of an individual page or treat an open spread as one continuous working surface.

A conventional hard cover has been omitted to preserve flexibility and reveal the reinforcing mesh along the spine. The notebook is supplied with a glassine paper wrapper inspired by the dust jackets of old books. Leave it in place for light protection or remove it to experience the natural texture and understated appearance of the paper.

MD PAPER for pens, pencils and ink

Cream MD PAPER balances smooth movement with a controlled amount of feedback. Fountain pen lines remain clear, and the paper offers strong resistance to feathering and bleed-through under normal writing conditions. It also provides a comfortable surface for rollerballs, ballpoints, mechanical pencils and graphite.

The warm paper tone is easy to view during longer sessions and gives black, blue-black and coloured inks a calm background. The grid provides structure while allowing the writer’s words, diagrams and drawings to determine the visual character of each page.

Package contents

Included: one Midori MD Notebook A5 Grid with 176 pages, a bookmark string, customisable index stickers and a protective glassine paper wrapper.

(Product photographs are for guidance and minor differences may occur in the item supplied.)

Compatible covers

For lasting protection, combine the notebook with the MD Notebook A5 goat leather cover or the MD Notebook A5 paper cover. Both are designed around its proportions and give the notebook a different feel in everyday use.

Technical specifications

Format: A5

Dimensions: 210 × 148 × 10 mm

Page layout: grid

Grid size: 5 × 5 mm

Number of pages: 176

Paper: cream MD PAPER

Paper weight: 80 g/m²

Binding: thread stitched

Opening: lies flat at 180 degrees

Outer protection: glassine paper wrapper

Accessories included: bookmark string and index stickers

Approximate weight: 258 g

Country of manufacture: Japan

Frequently asked questions

Is the paper suitable for fountain pens?
Yes. MD PAPER is developed to provide controlled ink performance and strong resistance to feathering and bleed-through. Drying time will vary depending on the nib and ink used.

How large are the grid squares?
Each square measures 5 × 5 mm, providing a useful scale for handwriting, diagrams, tables, calculations, planning and measured sketches.

What can the grid be used for?
It provides guidance for aligned handwriting, tables, calendars, diagrams, charts, mind maps, structured notes and proportioned drawings.

Can it be used as a bullet journal?
Yes. The notebook is undated and has no fixed templates, allowing you to create custom calendars, trackers, collections, indexes and weekly layouts.

Does it remain open on the desk?
Yes. The thread-stitched binding allows it to lie flat at 180 degrees on any page and supports work across a complete spread.

Is a permanent cover included?
It includes a removable glassine paper wrapper rather than a rigid or leather cover. Dedicated MD Notebook A5 covers are available separately.

Brand history and philosophy

MD PRODUCT grew from MD PAPER, an original Japanese writing paper developed during the 1960s. Its production includes writing tests with different instruments to evaluate ink absorption, drying, bleed-through and the physical sensation of the nib on the page. Cream MD PAPER followed in 2006, introducing a warm tone designed for comfortable, sustained writing.

At the heart of the brand is the idea of Yohaku, a meaningful pause that creates room to observe, reflect and organise thoughts. Decoration is reduced to a minimum, allowing the paper, craftsmanship and user’s own work to define the finished notebook.

“A measured grid gives every idea a place to begin and enough space to grow.”