Giveaway #44: I <3 A5
Number 27, Chris, won Giveaway #43, our Pocket-Sized Moleskine Cover. Please send us your address so we may send your gift!
One thing that you learn working at Renaissance Art: 8-1/2 X 11 inches is not the only standard paper size in the world. The rest of the world have their very own standards–we use both the North American and International standards to model our journals.
Maybe it’s the size variety, maybe it’s the alpha-numeric naming, but I’ve grown very fond of International standard paper sizes, especially A5. At approximately 5.5 X 8.5 inches, this Goldilocks paper size is perfect for writing, taking notes and sketching.
I want to share this paper size with the world. I figure it’s probably best to start with you guys : )
Our new giveaway? An A5-sized 5.5 X 8.5 Refillable Journal made from a gorgeous piece of leather, this journal unfortunately has a small scratch on the back of it. Below is a stock photo of what it looks like:
Have you used A5 paper? What do you think about it? What’s your favorite paper size? Tell us in your comment for a chance to win: click HERE to read the rules of this Free Giveaway but DO NOT comment on that link to enter. You enter by commenting on THIS post.
Good luck!
Remember that the winners need to contact us with their address and phone number in order to get their gift.
follow us:
Tags: A5, Giveaway, paper, refillable journal
August 6th, 2010 at 9:17 am
I like just about any paper size; I just love to write
August 6th, 2010 at 9:29 am
My preferences change back and forth, but lately I find that anything from around 4 x 6 inches to about 6 x 9 tends to be my ideal size. Smaller than 4 x 6, and it feels more like something for quick notes instead of writing longer pieces. And larger journals tend to feel too bulky anymore, though I used to love the typical 8.5 x 11 size.
August 6th, 2010 at 9:39 am
I love A5 sized journals. I have a whole stack of Black N Red spiral ones, and some no name case bound ones from a Borders clearance.
August 6th, 2010 at 10:20 am
Love it. I like all sizes.
August 6th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
A5 is my preference for a carrying-around notebook. Much smaller and I feel cramped, much bigger and it feels like “work” (I use an A4 for notes at work.) And yes, the ISO system is far more civilized! Everything size is half or double its neighboring size. Perfect for anal-retentives like me.
August 6th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Have not used A5, and switch journal sizes around with almost every new one I purchase. But if it means writing in that RA leather journal, I will learn to love A5.
August 6th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
I’m also a fan of the 1/2 letter size journal. I’d love it more with that journal.
August 6th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Yet another beautiful journal!
August 6th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
I like any square size the best, but this size seems fine, too.
August 6th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
A5 sized journals are mostly my prefered ones. They are easy to carry in smaller shoulder bag as well as in larger rucksack. They are also comfortable for writing, sketching and even as calendar.
August 6th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
I have not used A5 much, but I’m a big fan of the idea of 1/2 or double sized paper.
August 6th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
First, thank you for the gorgeous buckle journal! Does it sound weird that I sniffed and petted it for at least five minutes after opening the package?
My main work notebook is in B5, which is great for note-taking, but I think A5 is perfect for a personal journal.
August 6th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
I have not used A5 paper, but winning this will change all that…
August 6th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
A5 is a nice size for most anything, but, when I do a spread sheet I like legal size paper, you can make a nice large and easy to read technical spread sheet on legal size.
August 6th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
Don’t scratches give character? The more I use my RA leather goods the better they look and feel. Keep up the good work.
August 6th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Haven’t tried this size, looks nice.
August 6th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
This is definitely smaller than what I am use to writing on but hey what the heck I’ll give it a try. As usual your journals are priceless…
August 6th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
8.5 X 11 is perfect for class room note taking. For note taking out in the world, A5 is the best! And refillable is the way to go!!
August 6th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
Any size of paper is just fine with me when the product comes from RA!
August 6th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
Love A5. Perfect for all the notes I need to keep track of! I am a busy working mom and seems like I have a million scratch pads. But for my reading notes and “thought trackers” I can never find a personal note pad just for me. This would be ideal!
August 6th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Beautiful journal. Any size is fine.
August 7th, 2010 at 2:05 am
A5 is great!
August 7th, 2010 at 5:23 am
I love legal pads to write on and note cards (any size) to take notes on.
August 7th, 2010 at 6:51 am
I use several different sizes, and do not really have a favorite.
August 7th, 2010 at 8:03 am
I am a journal fanatic. As a single father and one of the many adults back in school learning new things, I love to record what I see and think so that I can share with my son when he goes to college. This is a beautiful journal.
August 7th, 2010 at 11:34 am
A5 is such a convenient size for a handbag…
August 7th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
I like A5 paper, love A4 also. As long as the paper in fountain pen friendly size doesn’t really matter.
August 8th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
The A5 is my favorite. All of my journals are in A5. I love the notebook sized moleskine most and it would be nice to have a cover for my moleskine’s. It is the perfect width for a strophe and the perfect length for a poem. The right amount of space for a quick sketch of someone’s face. It fits comfortabley in my hands so that I can write anywhere, but not so small that I can’t finish a thought on a single page.
August 8th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
*high pitched squeaky noise*
A refillable journal in A5 size! It’s just begging for a handmade organiser.
I have the worst luck being caught between the classic and A5 sizes. They are almost interchangable - but as Maxwell Smart says “missed it by that much”.
August 9th, 2010 at 8:13 am
A5 is what I carry in my bag. Otherwise, 8.5 x 11 at my desk.
August 9th, 2010 at 9:47 am
A5 is one of my favorite sizes of paper. I love all my Renaissance Art products.
August 9th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
I have never used A5 paper but it sounds like the perfect size for my note taking and for my son’s sketching. I don’t have a favorite paper size but the A5 could be.
August 9th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
I dig A5, A4 is even better than Letter - though it took some time to get used to.
August 9th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
I like the smaller journal size of A4.
August 10th, 2010 at 7:59 am
My next journal will be A5. Some of my European compadres use A5 and i like the size.
August 10th, 2010 at 9:02 am
I grew up in Europe, so A5 is what I have used for school notebooks for years and years. Took some adjusting after moving to North America: the letter paper looked too wide to me for a long time, and I was not used to writing on such large sheets. I still like A4 better than letter for notes - it’s easier to read a narrower page, and A5 is great for notebooks you carry around with you because of its slimmer profile.
August 10th, 2010 at 9:19 am
Haven’t used A5 yet but love the smaller size for portability
August 10th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
A5 paper is the way to go if you keep a travel journal. You can stash it in a purse or briefcase and surreptitiously record your thoughts or sketch your surroundings.
August 10th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
A perfect size to keep my lecture notes for the Natural Products Chemistry course.
Quite Snape-like.
August 10th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
A5 is great for journaling. I travel quite a bit and take an A5 with me for the sake of space/weight but at work, it’s all about the 8.5×11.
August 10th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
That’s my favorite size! I love to write letters on it.
August 10th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
I have never used A5 sized paper. I heard and read much about it. I will be going to Levenger for their fold-out calendars here shortly so I will have to check it out. It does seem like the best sizing. I liked the size of the leather journal Robert Pattinson used in “Remember Me.” This one looks close to it!
August 11th, 2010 at 3:16 am
My preference of paper size depends on what I am writing. I really like A5 for journaling, but I prefer A4 for letter writing. Before I descovered A4 and A5 I would just fold a letter size sheet in half and put a number of them together to make signatures for my own journals.
August 11th, 2010 at 11:03 am
I haven’t used A5. I tend to lean toward smaller sizes in my notebooks. Possibly because it looks less empty when I’m doing smaller poems and quick notes and things that don’t need as much space. Would love to give it a try, though!
August 12th, 2010 at 11:38 am
I think I’ve used A5… I know I’ve used half letter sized sketchbooks before. Its a wonderfully portable size - great for sketching on the go
Thank you for the chance!
August 12th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Well, I’m from Europe so A5 is very near and dear to me. Basically, it was the notebook of choise back in school… Actually, they were issued by the school. And they were not lined, but square gridded in faint blue 7mm by 7mm grid. Many a math problem was done on those… Until later years of school, when the problems got harder and longer, and notes in class required more and more writing. Then we evolved to A4 size!
August 12th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
This sounds similar to the size of your Large Journals, which I enjoy writing in. As I am a sporadic writer who writes a lot when I do set down to do it, I myself wouldn’t want to go much smaller than A5; I tend to write in script and its a bit big, so much smaller means I can’t get all that many words onto a line. That said, I think that I would feel a bit lost on a page much larger than 8 and a half inches wide, but I haven’t really tried it, so I guess I don’t know.
August 13th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
I am just addicted to all sizes of paper. Any size and I will fill it up with sketches and drawings.
August 13th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
I love this size — I have found it well suited to carry with me as a travel journal! It fits in many pockets or bags, and if not, it is quite easy to carry!
August 13th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
I love the a5 size. I make 4×5 prints in the darkroom and paste them in the pages and write something about them in the rebate area. The photo books are one of a kind and have been very popular.
August 13th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Great journal!! I have not used the A5. Thank you for the chance. I prefer small Moleskines for most everyday writing tasks, and then use Composition notebooks for notes, class, etc.
August 13th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
What a great journal. A treasure to last a long time for sure.
August 13th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Am always lookin’ for “feather-quill-dipping-pen-friendly” paper (in leather journals) to use for my ren faire poesy/writin’! Would love to test this journal’s friendliness with my quill dippin’ pen!
August 13th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
Love A5 - easily fits in my purse so I can have it for sketching when attending functions where I know there will be down time. Also my go-to size for watercolors. But then sometimes it is just about the quality of the paper and the inspiration that offers.
August 13th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Looks mighty fine to me, small scratch notwithstanding.
A5 is a versatile size, not too big, not too small . . . just right!
August 13th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Bring on the blank page…
August 13th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Classic and AMAZING!
August 13th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
you do beautiful work
August 13th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
A5 is my size of shoice, not too large yet large enough I dont feel confined. If I win this it would save me from buying one, but that isnt good motivation for me to be choosen.
August 13th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
I didn’t know that’s what that paper size was called. I guess I don’t have a preference. I’ll write on what ever paper I have available.
August 13th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
I use the A5-size (5.5 X 8.5) all of the time because it’s small enough to be with me all of the time, and big enough to capture lots of thoughts, notes, sketches, etc. Also, in a pinch I can grab a bunch of American standard 8.5×11, fold it in half, and either staple along the fold, or use a rubber band around the fold; a perfect retrofit.
The RenArt refillable journal offered here will be hand-tooled from a gorgeous piece of leather, and the small scratch on the back will immediately begin to add the character that will come over a life time of use.
I’m crossing my fingers, saying my prayers, and taking my vitamins in anticipation of winning.
Thank you, RenArt gang.
August 13th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
A5 is a little big for me for general purposes but I like it for taking notes.
August 13th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
Yes, please! I’d love to get one of your products.
August 13th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Oops, you said you wanted our input on A5.
My favorite size is the 5.5″ x 8.5″ size. Easy to carry around, convenient to DIY, and big enough for notetaking and small sketches. It’s close to the A5, so that would work too!
August 13th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
I think A5 is great! I’m left-handed and turn my book/page sideways to write, so A5 is much easier than letter for both work and personal use. As others have said though - anything from RA is beautiful!
August 13th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
As usual, a beautiful piece. I lived in Japan for 4 years; it is a great size of writing landscape.
August 13th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
While I am happy to write on just about any sized paper (a writer writes, right?), I probably prefer 4″ x 6.”
August 13th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
A5 is a wonderful size to fit in my purse! I’ve got a small RA refillable sketch book that tucks in nicely for drawing, and I’ve got a big 8 1/2 x 11 RA refillable journal for sustained writing at my desk. But I love to go on a Saturday morning with a book, to a quiet cafe table I know that sits next to a fountain, and sit and read and think–and I’ve never had a place to catch those kinds of fishies.
I’ve been using a 6 x 9 plain old spiral bound jobby for my daily schedule and it fits my purse wonderfully. I can just see myself pulling the weekday utilitarian guy out of my purse of a Saturday morning, and tucking a beautiful RA A5 in its place, and wandering off to the Farmer’s Market and then my sweet little reading table.
Sweet!
August 13th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
To paraphrase Goldilocks and the Three Bears: The 4.6 is too small; the 8 1/2 x 11 is too big; but the 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 is JUST RIGHT.
Thanks for noting it is the same as A5 - I can never keep that straight!
August 13th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
I like the bigger sizes for work tasks and notes, but for personal writing I like a smaller size I can hold in my hand or on my lap easily
Ruth
August 13th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
I have not ever used A5, but have always wondered what size that is when I see it the printer properties. Thanks for clarifying!
August 13th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Love leather
August 13th, 2010 at 7:10 pm
I usually write on A4 journals but i prefer A5 as they fit more easily in my bag and are in general easier/not as awkward to carry around. And i love the look of this journal!
August 13th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
The A5 is close to one of my favorite sizes, the 8.5″ x 5.5″.
I appreciate that I can get anything I want in sizes from RA. Woot!!!
August 13th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
I’ll write on anything, but I have a preference to write on square paper, either 4×4 or 5×5.
August 13th, 2010 at 7:55 pm
Similar to the Junior size Circa notebook from Levenger, which I love…
August 13th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
a) I’ve totally fallen in love with your products. I was browsing around online for some old/medieval looking notebooks and I can’t believe how gorgeous these ones are! Esp. that iPad bag… (now I just need to get an iPad…)
b) I love A5 especially for a little notebook and mine are around that size. It’s really handy to take along to client meetings and jot down notes.
August 13th, 2010 at 9:45 pm
To me it’s the most versatile size, but our 18 month old loves it! We have a few A5-sized journals that we let him use to doodle with crayons, and to him, that is what you are supposed to write on!
August 14th, 2010 at 12:45 am
Paper size?!?!? Let me tell you about paper size; I spent over 20 years in the reprographics industry before I was able to escape. Big sheets, little sheets, Japanese sheets … arrggghhhh! Actually though for sheer portability half-letter can’t be beat. It’s still big enough to record some serious ponderin’s but not so large that you can’t squeeze it into a back pocket so you can help a lady through the door.
August 14th, 2010 at 3:35 am
Hi, I just love all of your work. As an amateur artist, I love this size. It is versatile and great for making quick sketches, notes or mini paintings. In fact, good size to fit in my bag for any purpose.
August 14th, 2010 at 5:06 am
The A-5 size looks to be the perfect size for the poet-writer in my family heading off to grad school next week! I’ve been experimenting with making my own logbooks & journals. I found your site by exploring “bookbinding exposed stitches” - I am in awe of some of your designs!! Have taught myself coptic binding for Letterboxing logbooks that can be as small as 3″x3.5″…hitch-hikers are even smaller.
(I have asked to be your friend on FB, as well
August 14th, 2010 at 7:34 am
for the first 15 years of my planner/journal life I carried a 5.5×8.5 covey (Franklin-covey) planner. As i advanced in my career, i identified that many of the senior executives that i was meeting with carried a fill size 8.5×11 planner, so for the next 5 years i did the same.
Recently (in the last 3 months) i have found that the full size planner has become a 7 pound (yes… the size of a baby) an anchor and not easy to travel with. I have gone back to the 5.5 x 8.5 with a smaller ring size. I have become a fanatic for digital and added a 3g ipad so i always have access to the documents that i used to need (and carry) in hard copy.
I feel more organized. and look more professional(in my opinion) and am just carrying less crap.
I have also noticed that i write the same amount on a 5.5×8.5 sheet as i do on letter. my writing scales with the paper size.
August 14th, 2010 at 7:59 am
I love the portability.
August 14th, 2010 at 9:17 am
Yes Please!
August 14th, 2010 at 9:46 am
I wouldn’t normally say that I have a specific size preference, but when I really think about it, I like having 9 x 12 sketch pad paper to draw on.
August 14th, 2010 at 9:55 am
I have to say I think A5 is great! When visiting England, I got to know the A sizes a bit better, and they make so much sense, with the sizes always decreasing by half.
When I finished writing in an A5 journal I picked up over there, and had to go back to writing on ‘our’ smaller journals, it felt so … weird.
Here’s hoping I win so I can stay with A5 type sizes..forever! (insert maniacal laugh here)
August 14th, 2010 at 10:39 am
A5 is a super handy size. Used it all during my trip to France this summer and it was sort of strange at first but I’ve grown to really like it. Just stumbled upon your site and I have to say, it’s wonderful!
August 14th, 2010 at 11:14 am
I’m willing to try A5. Really like the products I’ve received from RA!
August 14th, 2010 at 11:46 am
I’d love to give this size a try.
August 14th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Am always lookin’ for “feather-quill-dipping-pen-friendly” paper (in leather journals) to use for my ren faire poesy/writin’! Would love to test this journal’s friendliness with my quill dippin’ pen!
August 15th, 2010 at 9:23 am
I would really love to try this size journal and get a feel for the paper with fountain pens.
August 15th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Mine actually happens to be this exact size. Whether sketching or writing, my favorite size paper is A5. It’s the perfect size to carry with you everywhere.
August 16th, 2010 at 12:36 am
I use a Japanese B5 sized 26-hole ring folder - it’s a good size for note-taking. A5 is just as versatile and even more portable!
August 16th, 2010 at 10:37 am
Nice!
August 16th, 2010 at 10:42 am
I love all of your products so beautiful and elegant. The next thing on my list is a bible cover. I can’t wait!!!
August 16th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
This beautiful rustic journal would be great for my birding bag to list all my travels!
August 16th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
Your journal covers are beautiful. I don’t think I’ve tried an A5 journal before, but I think it’d be the perfect size to take lesson notes in!
August 16th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Really Like the new Facebook Page
August 17th, 2010 at 7:07 am
Love A5 - please enter me in the drawing! Thank you
August 17th, 2010 at 7:21 am
I love the a5 paper size. Bigger than a post-it, smaller than a full size legal pad. Perfect!
August 17th, 2010 at 10:11 am
I like the doane paper 5×8 pads so this should not be much different. That leather cover is just awesome.
August 17th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
This is tight!
August 17th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
I love the A5 size; it’s not too large or too small and fits easily into most of my pocketbooks or tote bags.
August 18th, 2010 at 6:55 am
I use A5 every day for work notes in the form of a ring bound pleather planner. I have a few Moleskines with Renaissance Art leather covers for personal use - much better.
August 18th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
I have some Oxford Memo books (6 1/8 in. X 3 3/4 in), that have been my long time friends on my commute in NYC. Too bad they have been discontinued and I can’t find a suitable replacement :’( .
I don’t know much about much about European paper size but if its got your paper, I’m sure to love it.
August 20th, 2010 at 11:50 am
Can’t wait to fill the pages.
August 20th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
I am addicted to journals. I am a single father who went back to school to try to better my sons life, and I am recording as much of it has possible in writing so when he is older, we can talk about how important education is.
August 20th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
I like the A series of sizing just because it makes sense, like metric for paper.
August 20th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
This looks fantastic! I actually just found this site while looking for inspiration for a leather journal I was going to make for myself. I was even going to make it in 5.5×8.5 (though I didn’t know this size was called A5 at the time). I have a couple journals in A5 and loved them, so I’d have to say it’s my favorite size for notes and journals.
August 21st, 2010 at 8:04 am
I’m partial to 8 1/2 by 11 but it’s mostly due to my verbosity.
August 23rd, 2010 at 7:36 am
this journal has the qualities to delight the senses…
August 23rd, 2010 at 3:45 pm
I have journaled for more than 30 years. I am always looking for the prefect leather journal - which must be the perfect size. I have purchased many, but every time I know I would be looking again, because none of them were really my style. Then came Renaissance Art - I have found a renaissance in my journey for the perfect journal, though short lived, my journey has come to an end.
By the way my personal stationary is A5, and I think A5 is the perfect size for a journal.
Enter my in the contest - Thanks!
August 23rd, 2010 at 6:55 pm
For personal writing, I like journals or notebooks A5 or smaller. While the very small sizes are good for scribbled notes, something like A5 is best for a real journal.
Thanks for offering these giveaways.
August 23rd, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Never used A5 paper, to my knowledge. I prefer a wider page. My favorite paper size is 9 3/4″ X 7 1/2″. Thanks
August 24th, 2010 at 3:24 am
I have not tried A5 paper, but I love writing and drawing on any size paper. I can’t wait to write in that gorgeous journal. xoxox
August 24th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
Hey that’s pretty cool. I actually want to start a journal where it’s leather and looks like from the colonial era.
August 24th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Love A5 notes, this will go perfect with your stationery !!
August 25th, 2010 at 7:53 am
I like 9 x 12 - it is a good size when folded in half.