WATER LILIES
Open Spine Book

The original journals that set us on our journey!

As beautiful as they are useful, our signature open spine bindings are a stunning homage to centuries-old binding techniques.

• Exposed spine structure opens completely flat
• Protective clear coating over threads for durability
• Dual elastic bands for closure
• Optional pagemarker trio, back cover pocket, and corner protectors
• Available in a variety of sizes and paper patterns

Protect your investment with a CitriDori or Clearly refillable cover!

All of our journals fit perfectly inside our refillable covers, just like an oversized refill! Just be sure to choose the same journal size (i.e. A5 journals fit in A5 covers) and at least the same spine width (Original journals fit in original, wide, or chunky covers for example).

Note: As of 01 January 2020, covers will no longer have metal eyelets to increase the durability of the binding threads at each join.  Images will be updated to reflect this change as soon as possible.

Page Counts

By paper weight and thickness / spine width. All page counts include both sides of every sheet.

100gsm

• 1x (Standard Insert) – 64 pages
• 2x (Soft Cover Only) – 128 pages
• 3x (Slim) – 192 pages
• 4x (Original) – 256 pages
• 5x (Wide) – 320 pages
• 6x (Chunky) – 384 pages

120gsm / 140gsm / Coloured Papers

• 1x (Standard Insert) – 48 pages
• 2x (Soft Cover Only) – 96 pages
• 3x (Slim) – 144 pages
• 4x (Original) – 192 pages
• 5x (Wide) – 240 pages
• 6x (Chunky) – 288 pages

Watercolour Paper

• 1x (Standard Insert) – 24 pages
• 2x (Soft Cover Only) – 48 pages
• 3x (Slim) – 72 pages
• 4x (Original) – 96 pages
• 5x (Wide) – 120 pages
• 6x (Chunky) – 144 pages

Size Guide

Traditional Journals

Our traditional journals come in 8 different sizes. From largest to smallest:

• A4 – 210 x 297 mm (Approx. 8¼ x 11¾ in)
• B5 – 176 x 250 mm (Approx. 7 x 10 in)
• A5 – 148 x 210 mm (Approx. 6 x 8¼ in)
• Cahier – 148 x 210 mm (Approx. 5 x 8¼ in)
• B6 – 125 x 176 mm (Approx. 5 x 7 in)
• A6 – 105 x 148 mm (Approx. 4 x 6 in)
• B7 / Passport – 88 x 125 mm (Approx. 3½ x 5 in)
• A7 / Micro – 74 x 105 mm (Approx. 3 x 4 in)

Refillable Traveler’s Notebooks & Inserts

Our refillable journals and inserts come in 11 different sizes*. From largest to smallest:

• B5 / Composition – 176 x 250 mm (Approx. 7 x 10 in)
• A5 – 148 x 210 mm (Approx. 6 x 8¼ in)
• Cahier – 127 x 210 mm (Approx. 5 x 8¼ in)
• Classic Slim – 110 x 210 mm (Approx. 4¼ x 8¼ in)
• B6 – 125 x 176 mm (Approx. 5 x 7 in)
• B6 Slim – 110 x 176 mm (Approx. 4¼ x 7 in)
• Personal – 95 x 171 mm (Approx. 3¾ x 6¾ in)
• A6 – 105 x 148 mm (Approx. 4 x 6 in)
• Field Notes / Pocket – 89 x 140 mm (Approx. 3½ x 5½ in)
• B7 / Passport – 88 x 125 mm (Approx. 3½ x 5 in)
• A7 / Micro – 74 x 105 mm (Approx. 3 x 4 in)

* This is the size of the insert that fits in the cover – the cover itself will be taller and wider to protect the pages.

Paper Selections

WRITING PAPERS

140gsm Standard Paper

An excellent quality all-purpose paper suitable for writing, drawing, fountain pens, and mixed-media journalling.  It is soft white in colour and uncoated with a very light tooth. This is our most popular choice, offering the least amount of show-through from front to back and still a good number of pages.

120gsm Extra Smooth

This extra smooth paper is ideal for juicy fountain pens and brush lettering without wearing on your nibs.  With 20% cotton blended in, the surface is buttery smooth but uncoated so there is no unpleasant slickness or long drying times.  Page counts are the same as our 140gsm standard paper, but the finished books and inserts are considerably thinner due to the lighter weight and higher compression of the surface.

100gsm Standard Paper

The same quality and surface as our 140gsm standard paper in a thinner package!  This lighter-weight option offers the maximum number of pages per journal while still boasting minimal show-through with most inks. If you want the maximum number of pages we can pack into a book and you don’t mind a little more ghosting then this is the paper for you!

All of our writing papers are available in a variety of patterns:

• Blank
• Ruled (Fine 5mm or Wide 6.5mm)
• Dot Grid (Micro 3.5mm, Standard 5mm or Large 7mm)
• Full Grid (Micro 3.5mm, Standard 5mm or Large 7mm)

We are also able to do specialist patterns such as isometric, french grid, & calligraphy on request!

ARTIST PAPERS

140gsm Cartridge Paper

Our popular cartridge paper is also an excellent choice for artists!  The surface is uncoated so it grabs dry media without loosing depth, but the paper has also been internally sized for wet strength so watercolours and other paints also perform beautifully.

135gsm Coloured Paper

Our coloured papers are a lovely thickness with the perfect amount of tooth for beautiful work in graphite, coloured pencil, charcoals, pastels, and other dry media. (Some ink work is also lovely, though we don’t recommend it for super juicy inks as the paper is not treated for wet media).

Currently, we carry:

• Black
• Pearl Grey
• Medium Brown

More colours may be available soon!

225gsm Watercolour Paper

A superb acid-free paper suitable for watercolour and other wet-media.  Our watercolour paper has a NOT finish (slightly rough) and is a mid-white shade.  It holds without fraying even through repeated layering and scrubbing.

Finally, all of our papers (standard and watercolour) are acid- and chlorine- free to ensure the longest possible lifetime for your precious work.

Still not sure? Try our sampler paper pack!

Shipping & Delivery

*COVID-19 UPDATE*

Most orders are ready to ship in 7-10 business days, but please understand with the rapidly changing situation, we cannot guarantee shipping timeframes. We will continue to do our best to get your beautiful books to you as quickly as we are able. If you have concerns about your order, please feel free to contact us at citrusbookbindery@gmail.com or you can message us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/citrusbookbindery.  

ORDERS WITHIN THE UNITED KINGDOM

All UK orders are shipped via Royal Mail Tracked unless otherwise arranged and are typically received 1-2 working days after shipping, but please be aware that this is not a guaranteed service, and delays do occasionally still occur.

FOR ORDERS OUTSIDE THE UNITED KINGDOM

International shipping costs include tracking where available.  Please note that tracking is not available in certain locations.

Orders are typically received in 1-2 weeks from posting, but please understand that delays can occur, particulary with customs, so this can not be guaranteed. If you need guaranteed delivery by a certain date please contact me prior to placing your order for additional shipping options.

International customers are responsible for all fees associated with shipping to their respective countries. Orders that are shipped to countries outside of the UK may be subject to import taxes, customs duties and fees levied by the destination country. The recipient of an international shipment may be subject to such import taxes, customs duties and fees, which are levied once a shipment reaches your country. Additional charges for customs clearance must be borne by the recipient; we have no control over these charges and cannot predict what they may be. Customs policies vary widely from country to country; you should contact your local customs office for further information. When customs clearance procedures are required, it can cause delays beyond our original delivery estimates. All international orders will have full value declared on customs forms.