Frequently Asked Questions

What is a notebook system?

A notebook system is a customizable, analog organization method that uses a, typically, reusable cover paired with interchangeable notebook inserts or fillers, designed to work together to manage notes, schedules, tasks, art/sketches, etc. 

 

Unlike a single, bound notebook, a notebook system allows users to add, remove, and rearrange pages to fit their specific needs, often mixing different types of paper or planners within a single cover.

 

You can read more here at The Gentleman Stationer.

What kind of notebook system is this?

It’s a modular and refillable system; simple, flexible, and designed to move with you. Commonly known as a traveler's notebook.

 

Instead of rings, discs, or fixed pages, the cover holds multiple notebooks in place using elastics along the spine. Each notebook has its own purpose, and you can add, remove, or rearrange them whenever you like. When one fills up, you replace just that piece; not the entire journal, the cover stays with you.

 

It’s less about committing to a single format, and more about creating a system that reflects how you actually think and work. You might keep one notebook for long-form writing, another for planning, one for lists, one for ideas you don’t want to lose. Separate spaces, held together in one place; easy to carry, easy to return to.

 

Over time, it becomes something personal; a small collection of your thoughts, routines, and rhythms, all gathered in a single, familiar place.

What makes Quixotically different?

Many leather journal brands rely on exclusivity, inflated pricing, or rigid systems. Others follow trends without fully understanding the craft behind them. That is not our approach.

 

At Quixotically, quality is meant to be accessible. We create heirloom-level pieces and price them with honesty. No artificial markups. No manufactured prestige.

 

We do not cut corners. Our journals are made with high-quality materials and real leatherworking techniques. We have carefully refined every detail, from leather weights to hardware, elastic cord, and construction methods, to ensure a balance of durability, function, and feel. The result is something that feels right in your hands and holds up over time. Not just assembled. Considered.

 

Our journals are also shaped by the people who use them. They have been tested, carried, and refined alongside stationery enthusiasts. That feedback is part of the process, not an afterthought.

 

We do not tell you how to journal. Our covers are built around widely used sizes, so you can use the paper, planners, and tools you already trust. You are not buying into a system. You are building something that fits your life.

 

We also believe your journal should look and feel like yours from the very beginning. Quixotically offers one of the most accessible entry points into truly customized, quality leather goods. Choose from an array of leather types and colors, four eyelet finishes or no eyelets at all, and more cord color options than you will find anywhere else at this price point. Add a pocket in one of several styles, select your thread color, and build something that reflects exactly who you are. No upcharge for being specific. No compromise on quality.

 

We do not create pressure to buy. No limited drops. No forced scarcity. If we can source it responsibly, it stays available.

 

Sustainability is not a marketing line. We source materials with intention, minimize waste wherever possible, and give imperfect pieces a second life instead of discarding them. What we make is meant to be used, kept, and carried for years.

 

We are not here to define the journaling experience. We are here to make something worthy of yours.

What leather do you use?

We work with materials chosen for their integrity, their longevity, and the way they evolve over time.

 

Our leather is full-grain, vegetable-tanned, sourced from a family-run tannery in Tuscany. Treated with natural plant extracts rather than chrome and unnecessary chemicals, it’s a slower, more considered process; one that preserves the character of the hide instead of masking it. The grain remains visible, the color is absorbed rather than coated, and over time, it softens, deepens, and becomes entirely your own. As a byproduct of the food industry, it’s a more responsible use of what already exists; certified, traceable, and made to last.

 

For those who prefer a vegan option, we use Malai; a plant-based material grown from coconut water waste in Southern India. What would otherwise be discarded is collected and transformed, feeding a natural process where bacteria produce cellulose, which is then refined into a soft, durable, leather-like material. It contains no plastic, no synthetic coatings; just organic matter shaped with intention. It’s gentle, safe to handle, and free from the irritants often found in synthetic alternatives. Dyed using natural pigments, it carries its own quiet character, developing a subtle sheen over time. And when its life is complete, it can return to the earth.

 

Different in origin, but aligned in intention; materials that respect where they come from and how they’re used.

Which size should I choose?

Every Quixotically trifold cover is designed to hold your notebook with a little room to breathe, about 5mm of clearance on the top and bottom edge. Use the paper you love, the planner that works, the notebook that feels right. Our covers are made to fit your life, not replace it.

 

A5 size fits: 148 x 210 mm notebooks 
Popular notebooks: Midori MD A5, Leuchtturm1917 A5, Hobonichi Cousin, Rhodia A5

 

A6 size fits: 105 x 148 mm notebooks 
Popular notebooks: Midori MD A6, Hobonichi Techo, Leuchtturm1917 A6

 

B6 size fits: 128 x 182 mm notebooks 
Popular notebooks: Take a Note B6, Midori MD B6 Slim, Jibun Techo

 

Regular size fits: 110 x 210 mm inserts 
Popular notebooks: Traveler's Company Regular refills

 

Passport size fits: 89 x 124 mm inserts 
Popular notebooks: Traveler's Company Passport refills

 

A7 size fits: 74 x 105 mm notebooks 
Popular notebooks: Midori MD A7

 

All covers fit standard notebook inserts. We don't skimp on the leather, so if your setup is chonky, this cover can handle it.

 

Don't see your notebook size here? Reach out to us at info@quixotically.co and we will figure it out together.

How soon can I get my journal?

Quixotically is a business of one. Every journal is made by hand, by me, from start to finish.

 

That means production takes time, usually up to two weeks from the date of your order. All orders are made in the order they are received, so please know that yours is in the queue and being worked toward with care. During busier seasons, like the holidays, production may take a little longer. If you are ordering a gift or working with a specific date in mind, I always recommend ordering early and reaching out so I can do my best to accommodate you.

 

Every piece gets my full attention. Nothing leaves my hands that I am not proud of. If something is not right, I make it right.

 

If your order ever feels like it is taking longer than expected, please do not hesitate to reach out. I would rather you ask than wonder. I am always happy to give you an update and I genuinely appreciate your patience more than I can say. This work is personal to me, and so is every order that comes through.

 

Thank you for trusting me with it.

How do I care for my leather journal?

Full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather is made to last and to grow more beautiful with use. A little care goes a long way: keep your journal away from excess moisture and store it out of direct sunlight when not in use. If it ever feels dry, gently apply a small amount of leather balm.

 

Over time, your journal will darken, soften, and develop a unique patina, shaped by your touch, your routines, and the life it travels with. Each mark, crease, and change tells a story: yours.

 

Learn more here.

Do you offer collaborations or custom orders?

Yes! We love working with artists, makers, and individuals to create something unique. From tattoos on journal covers to metal or polymer clay charms, anything is possible.

You said no limited releases!?!!

We did. And we meant it.


Our core collection stays. The leather you find in our main shop are available without pressure and without the need to get them before they're gone.


But sometimes something finds us.


A leather we have never worked with before. A color that stops us mid-scroll. A material that feels like it was made for a specific season or specific mood. These are not manufactured drops designed to create urgency. They are genuine discoveries that we want to share and that we may not be able to keep as permanent offerings because of how they are sourced or produced.


When that happens, we call it an inspired drop. It is not a strategy. It is us saying we found something and we think you should know about it.


Sometimes it is a collaboration with another artist, made in small quantities because that is what the partnership allows, not because we are trying to manufacture demand. Limited does not mean one and done. If a piece resonates, we will find a way to bring it back.


These drops happen when they happen. Sometimes once a year. Sometimes when a material becomes available. Sometimes when the season calls for it. There is no countdown, no waitlist, no pressure.

Can I support Quixotically in ways other than buying a journal?

Absolutely. Share your experience, collaborate with us, or help connect other makers and artists to our community. Supporting shared craft and creativity helps us all grow.

Still have more questions? Feel free to email me at info@quixotically.co, happy to answer any and all the questions you may have.

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