People love writing.

With the rise of Samsung’s Note range a few years ago and more recent products like Remarkable, it would seem sensible to believe that traditional notebook and paper would slowly lose their appeal.

Time has proven the opposite to be true. 

People love writing, and people love their journals, notebooks, diaries, and planners even more. 

All market predictions are forecasting growth for the paper notebook market. And within this market, it looks like specific products, such as recycled notebooks and fitness workout planners, will prove to be popular.

According to a report from Technavio, the paper notebook market will grow by just over $81 million over the next three years to over $416 million, with South America being the best performing market and the APAC being the largest.

What is driving this growth and demand for paper notebooks in such a digitized world?

One of the obvious uses is by students and learners worldwide.

As education becomes more accessible and flexible, students are increasing, fuelling the demand for notebooks.

Despite numerous software and apps available for note-taking and group work, students – millennials in particular – still prefer to use paper notebooks for their studies.

Homeschooling has increased in some countries over the past year.

Parents had to home educate their children as schools closed during the peak of the pandemic. 

Some welcomed this change, and many parents have continued homeschooling, increasing the demand for notebooks and stationery. 

But paper notebooks are also being used for leisure.

As notebook designs and paper types improve, more artists are using them. Hobbyists use them as scrapbooks, and many consumers now use notebooks as personal goal-setting guides and planners.

Notebooks make splendid gifts, as there are so many wonderful and unique designs available now and are perfect for lower budgets.

The pandemic and the resulting lockdowns have also played a part in growing this industry.

During the lockdowns of 2020, we had no shortage of digital communication.

Although it was hard to stay indoors and away from our loved ones, in some ways, we were limitless.

There were no fixed office hours or commute. We suddenly had a lot more time to think and reflect. More quality time at home.

And with Netflix, amazon video, Youtube, Zoom, Skype, and so on, we had no shortage of digital entertainment or communication.

According to a report by John Lewis and Waitrose:

During the lockdown, online greeting card sales increased. 

And, interestingly, general stationery sales rose by 800%.

Home office products increased by 550%, and artist materials rocketed by 3000%!

Lockdowns and social distancing meant that a lot of people missed out on time with their loved ones. They also had more time to spend at home because leisure facilities were closed.

Many spent that time being creative with stationery and journaling in paper notebooks. More people were writing, drawing, planning, goal setting, and creating personalized gifts. 

The pandemic reminded consumers just how important a personal touch is. 

And being surrounded by technology has given stationery and paper notebooks a special place in our homes and offices.

That is why, despite the progression of technology, stationery sales are soaring.

Pen and paper have been around for centuries. 

And during the last decade or so, technology has done its best to imitate them both.

But, even with its best efforts, nothing matches the feel of writing with tangible stationery or the joy of receiving a handwritten letter.

Perhaps this is why so many people have opted for tangible notebooks, diaries, and organizers for their home offices.

Andrea Bell, director of insights at trend forecasting company WGSN, says, “Work-life balance is being expressed by paper. Work is digital, and we put personal affairs on paper. It helps create a boundary between the two while giving us a feeling of certainty in uncertain times.”

Human behavior is always an intriguing topic, and looking at the reasons behind the increased sales of stationery and notebooks is oddly reassuring. It is proof that, despite so much digitization, we still want to stay connected with each other in the physical and tangible space.

Sustainability and the rise of recycled notebooks

As awareness of global warming, rapidly depleting resources, and our CO2 footprint increases, demand for recycled goods and ethically sourced materials also goes up.

According to GlobeNewswire, the paper recycling market, currently worth $45.5 billion, is expected to be worth $56.2 billion by 2025.

Consumers are consciously aware of sustainability, which is the main driving factor for this growth, along with a surge in middle-class families and urbanization in India, which has further increased demand for paper and notebooks.

Here at GiftsWorlds.com , we also take sustainability very seriously.

We know consumers are consciously choosing recycled notebooks due to environmental issues.

Consumers want to buy from companies doing their bit to reduce plastic, waste, and carbon footprints. 

To meet this demand, we are introducing our sustainable, recycled notebook range made from eco-friendly materials.

These include cork, linen, recycled leather, and washable paper.

All of the pages are 100% recycled paper.

Although the recycled notebooks are sustainable, we did not compromise on design or quality.

We build notebooks that will last and feel great to touch and to write in. 

Being released for 2022 and 2023 is our current showcase. Exclusively designed by a unique collaboration with teams from the United States, Europe, and Australia.

Recycled Leather Notebooks and Planners:

This notebook feels soft and warm to the touch, designed to endure regular use. We highly recommend it for eco-conscious students and office workers.

The cover also has an elegant gold foil stamping to complement the materials used. 

Cork Cover Notebooks: 

The cork feels robust and hard-wearing to touch, and these notebooks are available in a range of designs as the cover also includes a silkscreen finish. We would recommend this as the perfect gift idea for hobbyists and artists.  

Linen Cover Journals and Planners:

With their elegant, soft-touch covers, and designed pages, these journals and planners are perfect for anyone looking to jot down their thoughts and daily tasks.

They are available in a range of beautiful, urban colors and therefore appealing to a large consumer base.

Paperboard cover notebooks:

These are a more colorful range of recycled notebooks, available in several designs with silkscreen printing.

Hard Cover notebooks:

With bold designs and vibrant colors, this range is ideal for the fashion-conscious consumer.

Finished with beautiful gold hot foil stamping, this would make a delightful gift.

And finally our range of notebooks made with mixed material.

The cover is a distinctive type of paper that feels sumptuous to touch, and an elegant fabric finishes the spine.

The contrast of the paper and the fabric gives this a unique and creative feel, ideal for many uses, including journaling, hobbyist use, and planning.

Looking forward to 2023 and beyond

We have been supplying some of the largest retailers, from all over the globe, for over 23 years.

Each year brings new challenges, helping us focus on new designs and new ways to create quality products that meet the needs of our end users.

The 2020 pandemic changed things worldwide. 

In many countries, office working will never be the same again.

Businesses and entrepreneurs had to adapt to survive. Sadly many had to shut down.

Families and loved ones were apart, and the importance of mental health reached a new level.

However, these changes create new opportunities, and some markets and industries will flourish over the next few years.

Here at GiftsWorlds.com , we are humbled to play a global role in helping consumers solve their daily challenges with our stationery.

Our paper notebooks form a large part of our product range, and we take pride in creating and delivering quality, 

We design notebooks to create a unique experience for our end users because a notebook is much more than a pen and paper.

The perfect notebook is similar to a loyal companion. 

Always by one’s side, a place to share all-important thoughts and ideas.

We look forward to a brand new 2023 and hope that our new recycled and wellness notebook ranges will bring joy and pleasure to everyone who uses them.

Please get in touch if you would like some samples or more information on our upcoming product lines.