A5 dot grid notebooks
The faint dots guide handwriting, sketches and tables without the rigidity of lines. The default choice for bullet journalling.
Shop now for A5 dot grid notebooksStationery for the UK
For people who want stationery, not just need it
Twelve drawers of notebooks, pens, planners, paper and desk things, each with a short guide to what matters and a "Shop now" button to take you to retailers. Everything sized in A4 and A5, spelt the British way.
Open a drawer
Pick a category to see the main types worth knowing about, what to look for on the label and a quick link to browse them.
Notebooks & Journals
Dot grid, lined, plain and squared, from pocket A6 to desk-sized A4.
Pens
Fountain, gel, brush and fineliner: pens for notes, lettering and letters home.
Pencils
Graphite grades from 4H to 8B, mechanical pencils, colours and a good rubber.
Planners & Diaries
Week-to-view, day-a-page and academic diaries that start in August or September.
Desk Accessories
Pen pots, letter trays, desk mats and organisers for a tidier workspace.
Filing & Organisation
Lever arch files, ring binders, punched pockets and dividers for A4 paperwork.
Art & Sketch
Sketchbooks, watercolour paper, drawing pencils and markers for making things.
School Supplies
Pencil cases, maths sets and exercise-book basics for the September return.
Office Essentials
Staplers, hole punches, sticky notes and 80gsm A4 copier paper.
Cards & Envelopes
Greetings cards, notecards and C5, C6 and DL envelopes for the post.
Washi Tape & Stickers
Decorative tape, planner stickers and dispensers for journals and gift wrap.
Gifts for Stationery Lovers
Thoughtful ideas for the person who already owns forty notebooks.
Popular right now on British desks
Types of stationery people ask us about most often. Tap through to browse the range; we don't list prices because they change daily.
Beginner fountain pens
A fine or medium steel nib and a cartridge or converter is the easiest way into writing with ink.
Shop now for Beginner fountain pensAcademic diaries
Mid-year diaries that run from August or September to the following summer, to match the school and university year.
Shop now for Academic diariesWashi tape
Low-tack paper tape that tears by hand and lifts off cleanly. Brilliant for journals, labels and gift wrap.
Shop now for Washi tapeBack to school
Getting ready for September
Most schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland go back in early September, while Scottish pupils return in mid-August. Our back-to-school checklist sorts the essentials by stage, from a first pencil case to GCSE maths kit, so you buy what's actually on the list.
Guides worth a cup of tea
Choosing a Fountain Pen
Nib sizes, filling systems and the paper that stops feathering.
Paper Weights (gsm) Explained
What 80gsm, 120gsm and 300gsm actually feel like, and when you need each.
Bullet Journal Starter
The index, future log and monthly spread, set up in an afternoon.
Back-to-School Checklist
A calm, year-group-aware list for the start of the UK school year.
How this shop works
I Want Stationery is a shop window rather than a warehouse. We don't hold stock, take payments or post parcels. Instead, each drawer explains the different kinds of pen, paper or planner in plain English and gives you a "Shop now" button that opens a retailer's range in a new tab.
We deliberately avoid star ratings, "best buy" badges and invented prices. What we can do is tell you the difference between 80gsm and 120gsm paper, why a fine nib suits small handwriting, and whether you need a lever arch file or a ring binder.
A few British basics
- A4 (210 × 297mm) is standard printer and school paper.
- A5 (148 × 210mm) is the classic notebook and diary size.
- 80gsm is everyday copier paper; notebooks for ink are often 90–120gsm.
- HB pencils are the middle of the scale; B is softer, H is harder.