Thesis Journal vs Notebook: Which Paper You Need
By LEUCHTTURM1917 | Premium Notebooks, Bullet Journals ... | Published: 2026-10-20
Category: Comparisons
Compare the Thesis Journal and the Notebook Medium (A5) to find the best paper for your academic writing. Understand the trade-offs in ruling, page count, and paper weight.
Quick answer
Choose the Thesis Journal if you want a structured, guided writing process with dotted pages and numbered sections for free-form thinking. Choose the Notebook Medium (A5) if you prefer classic ruled lines, a lighter format, and premium 120 gsm paper that handles fountain pens beautifully.
Paper weight and ink behavior
The Notebook Medium (A5) uses 120 gsm FSC-certified paper, which is noticeably thicker and smoother than standard notebook paper. This extra weight means less show-through and feathering, making it a reliable choice for fountain pens, markers, and any writer who wants crisp, clean lines. The Thesis Journal uses 100 gsm paper, which is still good quality but may show some ghosting with heavy ink applications. If you write with wet pens or use markers, the Notebook Medium will give you a more polished result.
Page structure and ruling
The Thesis Journal is designed specifically for academic writing. Its 125 dotted-ruled pages encourage free-form thinking, mind maps, and diagrams, while the remaining pages are numbered for easy reference. The Notebook Medium (A5) offers three ruling options — ruled, dotted, or plain — so you can choose the layout that matches your note-taking style. If you prefer the flexibility of dotted pages for both writing and sketching, the Thesis Journal gives you that out of the box. If you want ruled lines for neat, linear notes, the Notebook Medium is the better fit.
Portability and everyday use
Both notebooks are A5 hardcover, but the Notebook Medium (A5) is slightly shorter (5.75 × 8.25 in) than the Thesis Journal (5.75 × 10 in). The Notebook Medium is more pocket-friendly and easier to carry in a bag or backpack for daily lectures and meetings. The Thesis Journal’s taller format gives you more vertical space per page, which can be helpful for long-form writing or when you need to see more of your work at once.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Paper weight: Thesis Journal uses 100 gsm paper — adequate for most pens but may show ghosting with wet inks. Notebook Medium uses 120 gsm paper — virtually no show-through, ideal for fountain pens and markers. If ink behavior matters most, choose the Notebook Medium.
- Page structure: Thesis Journal has 125 dotted pages for free-form thinking and all pages numbered for reference. Notebook Medium offers three ruling options and 203 numbered pages, giving you more layout flexibility. If you want guided dotted pages for thesis work, go with the Thesis Journal. If you want ruled lines or plain pages, pick the Notebook Medium.
- Portability: Thesis Journal is 5.75 × 10 in — taller, providing more vertical writing space. Notebook Medium is 5.75 × 8.25 in — more compact and easier to carry daily. For a daily carry that fits in most bags, the Notebook Medium is more portable.
Product facts
- Thesis Journal: 125 dotted-ruled pages for free-form thinking; 224 numbered pages total; 100 gsm paper. The dotted ruling supports diagrams and mind maps, while numbered pages help you organize and reference your thesis notes easily.
Thesis Journal - Notebook Medium (A5), 120G, Hardcover, 203 numbered pages: 120 gsm FSC-certified paper, extra smooth with low show-through; three ruling options; 203 numbered pages. The heavier paper handles fountain pens and markers without bleeding, and the choice of ruling lets you match the layout to your note-taking style.
Notebook Medium (A5), 120G, Hardcover, 203 numbered pages
Which one fits you?
Best for
- Thesis Journal: students who want a structured, guided writing tool with dotted pages and numbered sections for organizing thesis notes.
- Notebook Medium (A5): writers who use fountain pens or markers and want a lighter, more portable notebook with a choice of ruling.
Not for
- Thesis Journal: not ideal if you need ruled lines for linear note-taking or prefer a very lightweight paper that handles heavy ink without any ghosting.
- Notebook Medium (A5): not the best choice if you want a dedicated academic writing workbook with guided dotted pages and a taller page format.
