Pentalic 3" x 4" Pocket Sketchbook Traveler Journal, 160 Pages, Black

UPDATED REVIEW:I’ve purchased a couple of these, and I really love them! The paper is decent, I would consider it to be a very smooth paper, slight tooth, but not a ton. It can take most mediums very well, but doesn’t stand out as a phenomenal paper for any.By that I mean, it is great for markers (my favorite medium in this book), but as you should expect with most sketchbooks it bleeds through, and it definitely sinks through very quickly saturating the page to the back.It’s good for color pencil, but don’t expect it to hold tons of layers with such a smooth surface. It works with watercolor, but dries quickly, and works best with light washes. Sketching and erasing will show some lines if your are heavy handed. Inking is smooth, but ball point pens can take a minute to start on this paper (they usually need a quick scribble to get going).All in all, it feels nice to use. The cover is pliable, making it easy to bend and manipulate if you’re like me and like to turn your sketchbooks while also staying close to your work surface. The covers do come with some dents and imperfections, I have received a pristine one yet. It doesn’t bother me because the cost is great, and lets face it, it’s a sketchbook and the cover will take some abuse overtime anyway. It just looks like a well loved book when I get them, and I think that’s kind of cool.OLD REVIEW:I really love this pocket sketchbook. I do wish I got a slightly larger size, and I still plan to, but I do love how small this is for quick sketches. My original intent for this sketchbook was to do quick daily drawings, and it has been great for that.I love the paper, very smooth, perfect for alcohol markers. I've used colored pencils with this as well, and they blend almost effortlessly! I would say for watercolor expect to only be able to use thin washes, and expect the pages to warp a bit, but the strap really does help flatten the pages in the end.The cover is really nice and flexible, able to fold over to the back. It takes some manipulating in the beginning, but you can get the book to lie mostly flat once you break up some of the glue between the sections. I haven't used the folder, but it seems quite room-y, and the book mark is great for helping you find your place quickly.

I use this Dot Journal from Pentalic, as a brain dump through out the day. I pour recipes, notes, addresses, art ideas, sketches, analytical data, business information and so much more into them, and have been doing so for 5 years. This is the brand I seek out, ordered here on Amazon when my local store stopped carrying them. I LOVE the pocket in the back, easy for me to slide pieces of paper that I need to keep track of, when I’m out an about (saves them from the bottom of the purse.). The elastic strap is perfect, it does loosen after repeated use, but I’ve got books that I’ve filled and still reference that are years old and the elastic does its job, not one has ever had a defect. The paper is thick, and allows me to write and yes even draw with a ball point pen, without ghosting on the other side. Ghosting is a pet peeve of mine when it comes to notebooks, and it is that very reason that I seek this brand, minimal/no ghosting. The 6x8” size is enough to get all my information out clearly and still fit in my side back for easy transport. These have held up, and continue to hold up for all my uses even years after I’ve filled them. I’m pretty hard on my Pentalic and it is dependable. No complaints, all the praise.

Greetings.Like other fans here, I have discovered that this product has several very desirable, non-typical, and fine qualities.1. The paper is firm enough and adequately toothed (and bright enough) to support mechanical pencil and ballpoint.2. The flexible cover is quite resilient and when combined with pages provides a very firm surface for writing into.3. The spine treatment allows for complete access to inner pages (which has not been the case with certain competing options).4. The size (3x4x 5/8) and composition has resulted in a unique purse and pocket solution for my needs.5. Almost all of the polymer-infused sketchbooks have some quantity of PVC (and fixing/softening pthalates in them, like DEHP)... and this is what provides the covers with durable flexibility. I recommend that you do not eat food off of this sketchbook.Other notation: 160 pages of acid-free recycled 74 lb. (120 gsm) paper is perfect for sketching, notes and field work. Includes an elastic enclosure, ribbon marker, back page pocket and flexible Italian made cover.I sincerely hope this review has been helpful. All comments rendered from with- IMHO.

This is an ideal pocket sketchbook to carry around and quickly capture art/nature/architecture ideas using a pencil or pen. And the paper feels so nice and smooth.Be careful tho with the media you use to do your sketches/artwork. Pencil, pen, microns, colored pencils work great.However, paper not thick enough for watercolor paint, watercolor markers, or alcohol markers. 🙁. They all bleed through.Oh well, I have many other notebooks that can handle all kinds of media!!😉Would I order again - absolutely!!

This sketchbook is really tiny, 3x4 inches! I really appreciate the leather cover, it makes it easy to put in your pocket and gives it a fancier look. The paper is extremely good, it takes markers and inks well. Another thing I liked was the pocket in the back! You can fit a couple of business cards, your driver's license, and a credit card back there without much effort. Very convenient! I really liked this sketchbook, you can definitely take it on the go and sketch on the bus or the train. The price is really good for this high quality sketchbook, after receiving it I was surprised it didn't cost more than I paid since it does look very high quality! I plan to buy in the future!

Been looking for a perfect size for my edc pocket pouch. The paper feels really nice. Love the pocket in the back of the book. The strap, and ribbon bookmark are all nice touches too. Will definitely be getting more of these once I go through the sketchbook.