Big brands like Moleskine and Daycraft have long reigned over Philippine bookstores as the premium stationery for creative and professional work. I myself have been a long-time Moleskine user, having used their blank and lined notebooks for college, creative writing projects, and everyday notes.
I probably would continue using Moleskine if it weren’t for social media and the widespread connections it can create. Through Facebook and Instagram, I discovered many other lesser-known stationery brands that hail from different parts of the world.
In Malaysia, there’s Mossery
Mossery is one particular brand that I’ve become particularly attached to. Founded in 2011, the brand is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and created by graphic designers and entrepreneurs Vivian Loh and Chang Wai Lam. The duo has grown into a full-fledge team since they started working on the brand full-time, and have built a strong following thanks to new designs and products released every year.
Mossery makes beautifully-made yet sustainable products. They design and sell pocket and medium-sized notebooks, planners, sketchbooks, and accessories like stickers and sleeves.
These are all to be expected, but what won me over completely is Mossery’s customization options. They let customers choose the cover of their choice, the paper type (i.e. lined, blank, or grid, or dot grid), and if they want it personalized or not. Their newsletter is just as meaningful + they respond when you write back to them. I highly recommend you subscribe to it, if you haven’t already.
I followed Mossery for a good six months or so before I decided to buy a notebook during their 2017 Black Friday sale. I bought myself a personalized notebook and two other sketchbooks as Christmas presents. Since it met the minimum amount, I got a couple of extra goodies like stickers and a free pocket notebook too.
As much as I want to dive into all of my Mossery products, today’s reserved just for the Medium Notebook, which I personalized by embossing my Chinese name on it. If you’ve always wanted to buy a Mossery notebook, below is my in-depth look into what’s included:
Choose Your Own Cover
There are currently 20 cover designs to choose from, ranging from plain colors (e.g. black, jade, burgundy) to floral and abstract choices (e.g. Lunar Marble and Flower Fox Emblem). I usually like my notebooks plain and simple, so I chose the Plain Black (luckily for me I got one before it ran out of stock).
The notebook’s A5 in size and sports a beautiful matte cover with rounded corners. At the back, you’ll find a ribbon bookmark, an elastic band, and the Mossery logo.
If you want to personalize your notebook, you can select between a sans serif or brush script font, and add your name in the Personalization text field on the product page. Take note that you can write your name in 65 different languages, but can only type in a max of 15 characters, including spaces and punctuations.
Behind the front cover are four wide lines where you can perhaps write your name or your favorite quote—anything to signify that this notebook is yours.
The Notebook Features
After choosing a cover design, you get to choose the paper type from four main choices: blank, grid, dot grid, and lined.
There are a couple of neat features included that you can work with before diving into the actual pages. You can insert notes and other small keepsakes in the white front paper pocket, and add your info to the Personal Details and Important Information pages.
You’ll then find the Values/Goals/Purpose page where you can write/draw your goals and aspirations. I chose to label mine with “2018” and fill the cute bubbles with my goals for this year and my values in life. You’ll see that I used the free Mossery stickers I got to emphasize each goal.
What follows are two spreads of Inspiration Boards where you can write/draw/paste anything and everything that you’re passionate about. I’ve yet to fill these pages up, but for sure I’ve got a LONG list of things that I’d want to look back to for inspiration.
Finally, you have a page where you’ll write 3 main things you want to improve, change, or achieve, each with its own section of lines so you can expand on each item. A pink paper divider separates these unique pages from the actual content of the notebook, and a black paper pocket concludes the journey.
Superb Paper and Packaging
There are 150 pages of 104 GSM FSC-certified recycled paper in this notebook, bound with brass Wring-O binding. You can place the book flat on the surface or fold it to write horizontally or vertically, whichever works best.
Mossery sources their paper from the United States, which explains the higher price point, but the paper quality and the keen attention to detail completely make up for it.
Writing with either a pencil or a pen is a smooth experience with barely any showthrough. I chose grid pages for my notebook, and appreciate that the lines are printed with light-colored ink similar to how Japanese brands LIFE and Midori print theirs. It’s not distracting yet gives me enough guidance to write with structure.
Even their packaging shows just how much care went into making this product. I’d go as far as to say their packaging may just as popular as the notebook itself. If you check the customer reviews, you’ll see that other people believe so too.
The main downside to buying from Mossery though is shipping. Being based in the Philippines, I have to shell out over a thousand Philippine pesos for express shipping (DHL requires me to pay additional fees upon delivery). It arrives quickly, but I’d appreciate being given other cheaper options so I’d be able to enjoy Mossery even more.
Overall, this is one notebook I’d recommend if you want quality + total creative freedom over how your notebook should look like and what type of paper should contain. As creative folk in personality and spirit, I’m sure many writers, artists, and professionals around the country would love to use Mossery as their own form and tool for expression.
Resources
- Mossery.co main website
- “Local stationery brand Mossery brings back the love for paper” via Malay Mail Online
- Follow @mosseryco on Instagram
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