There are certain things you can't go back from once you've tried them. Higher thread count bedsheets, natural cleaning products or loose-leaf tea in a bone china cup. For me, a layflat notebook is one of these.
We've all experienced the mildly cumbersome annoyances of a poorly-designed notebook. There are the metal rings that leave imprints on the side of your hand, snag your clothes on the sofa, or bring the contents of your bag along to the meeting room table. There are the ASMR-esque cracking sounds as you open a thickly-glued notebook, or the pages so tightly bound that you have to hold them open as you write or sketch.
A considered notebook can elevate the task at hand - whether that be note taking, drawing or keeping a daily journal. When attention is paid to how an item is used, it makes the experience more natural and enjoyable. This human-centred, inquisitive approach is at the heart of digital and UX design and when applied to physical products we use everyday, it ensures a seamless and comfortable experience, encouraging a greater sense of flow.
How is this achieved?
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Layflat binding is inherently different to more standardised binding methods. With the common technique of 'perfect' binding (used for brochures and magazines) the pages are glued together at the spine with hot melt glue. This fast-drying and cost effective method means the glue is set firmly, creating the familiar cracking sound during opening. Not so perfect for notebooks.
The more specialist layflat binding method uses grouped sections of pages carefully sewn together and bound with a thin layer of cold glue. This takes around 24 hours to dry - much longer than hot melt glue, but this is well worth the wait.
The result is a notebook that opens effortlessly and remains flat with no interruptions, no awkward positioning and not a metal wire in sight.
Discover our range of layflat notebooks
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Photography - MyKindLifestyle / Handover
