TRU RED Starter Journal – the notebook that will get you into the journaling habit?

Specifications

• Integrated perforated to-do lists and sketching pages allow for a variety of notetaking methods
• Secure your journal closed with the elastic strap
• Organize your projects or notes by labeling the spine of your journal
• Card holder keeps contact information readily available
• Easily access your writing utensil by using the pen holder
• Store important documents in the inside front cover pocket
• 192 lined pages
• Alternates every 5 pages between perforated to-do lists and sketching pages
• Large size (8″ x 10″)
• Gray textured hardcover
• White premium heavyweight paper

Quick Look

The TRU RED Starter Journal has a unique design. On first look, you will see an unconventional elastic strap which goes around the lower right side of the notebook. The red accent on the upper left is not purely aesthetic but is also a dedicated business card holder.

Another unconventional design is the pen loop. Traditionally, pen loops are often located on the right hand side of the notebook but TRU RED’s Starter Journal has their pen loop on the spine. This implementation fascinating – it reminds me of the Lemome notebooks and none of that awkward dangling pen loop.

Yes, there are even more elastic bands at the back. However, I don’t quite understand its purpose. I was trying to figure out how to use it – sticking an iPhone or my hand between the elastic band. A representative elaborated on the intended use of the elastic band which “can be used for multiple things but people use it to hold their cellphone, TRU RED writing accessories such as highlighters, rollerball or gel pens.”

What’s inside?

As you flip the notebook open, you will have the standard front cover for your personal information.

The notebook has 192 lined pages which are numbered.

On every 5th page, you will find a perforated to-do list or a blank sketch area alternately integrated into the journal.

At the end of the journal, there is a brief reflection page as an intentional way to conclude the journal.

Paper Quality

The notebook is made out of 192 pages of acid free paper. The website nor the product information in the belly band did not specify the paper weight (gsm) but you can tell that the paper is pretty thick – probably more than 80gsm.

For the most part, I’ve tried it with fountain pens and rollerball pens. Given the performance of the inks on the TRU RED journals, I’d say regular ballpoint pens and pencils would perform well here as well. I, unfortunately, have not tested highlighters and markers on this paper but I will most definitely update this article once I do.

I was not expecting fountain pens to perform well on this paper as it wasn’t advertised as such. However, I’ve tried several fountain pens and inks and they did not bleed nor feather as I had expected. They are fountain pen friendly, yes. One key thing to note about this paper is that the texture is rougher than the fountain pen friendly papers in the market. I would think that eventually the TRU RED journals could eventually clog the nib of your fountain pen because it would catch the fibers from the paper.

The strangest thing is that, the TRU RED 0.5mm rollerball pen (that they had supplied along with the notebooks) feathered quite a bit on the TRUE RED journal. I did not put any pressure as I was writing with the rollerball so I was really surprised to see the feathering – which isn’t visible with fountain pen ink.

Maybe thicker (and wetter) nibs or pen tips wouldn’t do go well with this paper.

Despite the feathering, there was no show through or bleed through – which is great for a notebook that’s for journaling on pages front and back.

Overall Thoughts

My favorite feature of this notebook is the perforated to-do list – and I do hope more brands have this type of design. I can imagine myself writing my daily reflections then happen to think about something to do and just writing it on the to do section.

As a fountain pen enthusiast, I wouldn’t really recommend this notebook for long writing sessions. Yes, the paper was able to withstand the fountain pen ink and hold a bit of shading. However, I feel that over time, paper fibers could just get stuck in the nib of the fountain pen.

If you use a regular ballpoint pen or perhaps one of those drawing pens, this would be just fine.

The TRU RED Starter Journals are promising for journaling. I was initially impressed by the unique and intentional design. It doesn’t look cheap nor does it look like a composition notebook. It even looks professional with the minimal design – so the notebook would also be a good meeting notebook.

I feel that this would be a great notebook for stream of consciousness writing or the Morning Pages exercise. The notebook’s format provides some form of structure without it being too restrictive.

I would recommend this to those who are looking for a good quality notebook to start long-form journaling or for general note-taking.

Read: Keeping a Meeting Notebook for Work

Where to buy?

TRU RED products available at Staples.com. If you are interested in purchasing these, you can buy one from their website and look for TRU RED™ Large Starter Journal, Gray (TR58413).

Disclosure: This product was sent to us for free in return for my honest review. Photos are ours unless otherwise stated. All opinions expressed here are the author’s own and are not in any way influenced by the aforementioned organization. For inquiries, please visit our Partnership and Advertisements page.