Midori MD

Midori MD paper notebooks have been around for a long time and have an excellent reputation with fountain pen users. There’s only two options with dot grid: the A5 with 192 pages and the A5 Codex that has a corner that tears off the corner of each page. I reviewed the normal A5 version.

The reputation is well deserved. Only alcohol-based marker bled through the page, and while ghosting was present, it wasn’t overwhelming. The paper handles watercolour better than many other brands with similar weight paper. If you prefer a minimal aesthetic, this journal will be perfect for you. There’s no graphics, no unnecessary page markings, you still get a bookmark ribbon and there’s a range of different reusable covers to protect the notebook.

My in-depth review video looks at the company and their products, the construction, features and markings of the journal, the paper, the company’s approach to environmental and social responsibility, and includes a pen test of a full range of pens (with a special fountain pen test) and watercolour paints. See my pen test page for an explanation of each test.