I do not care that I am paying more per square inch. I buy the size that would work best for me. This is more important. Do you buy a larger size dress which is the same price because you get more material for the money?
Yeah, when you choose to splurge for a specific japanese import brand and not alternatives that can cost half that price, i think the few bucks of difference between the two size is really not something one cares about 😭
While I LOVE Traveler’s Company products, I’ve never bought their covers because I would find the elastic knot on the back annoying. HOWEVER. This video has pointed out that you could use the passport cover to hold an actual PASSPORT and I’m in need of a passport cover, so 💃🏼💃🏼💃🏼 TFS Sylvia 💫
The price has as much to do with labor and logistics as materials. It's as many steps to make a passport size notebook as a regular...so tge labor cost will be the same. Same marketing costs. Nominal increase in transport costs, etc. That's why the price doesn't correspond to size.
The standard size seems to be designed around fitting an A4 size piece of paper folded in thirds (according to midori's marketing). Along with fitting other typical travel documents like tickets/brochures/maps/spare money.
With the Passport size inserts, you would actually get 2 inserts out of 1 sheet of A4 paper, VS you can only make one regular size insert from a sheet of A4 paper. If you were making the passport size, you'd use 1/2 the amount of paper per insert....say if you have an insert with 20 pages...with the passport size, you could make that insert 40 pages, 2 passport size inserts per A4 size paper. With the regular size you would need 40 sheets of paper to make the same 4o page insert, as the regular size notebook is much larger. I like the Passport size as it will more easily fit into a pocket than those oversized regular notebooks...if you have a backpack, briefcase, purse, etc. that you can cram that regular sized notebook into fine, but I don't want that bulky large regular notebook sticking out of my pocket.
I love making my own inserts! I love that I can make what ever size I need. My go-to size is A5 because all I have to do is fold (a standard letter size sheet) in half. If I need to make another size, I look online for measurements. I'm still practicing making my own travelers notebook. I love planners!
Thanks for the analysis. Product pricing is complicated. I remember years ago when I used to buy name brand peanut butter, the 18 oz size cost less per ounce than the larger size, which didn’t seem logical. It was explained that the 18 oz size was more popular, they sold more, therefore the price difference.
"Amazon" does not set different prices for different versions/colors/sizes of products. Most products listed on Amazon are sold by vendors who use Amazon as their selling platform, and it's them changing the prices for different options. That's also why you will see some notebook brands and notebook covers listed multiple times.
i'm on my third TN, and I was just looking for a size comparison video. The amount of money you spend between passport and regular size is very weird in the grand scheme of things so you make a good point. I've also tried passport and found it a bit too small for me, so I'm going to stick with regular size, especially since I make art. Thanks so much for helping me solidify my choice!!
I can't believe someone spend 8 minutes on price between 45 & 55 dollars and 5 & 7 dollars. Anyone whose use case fits the most expensive one and not willing to spend 10 & 2 dollar more (notebook + paper) boggles my mind.
Question here 🙋🏼♀️ I’ve never used a travelers notebook so this may be a silly question , but is it hard to write on the narrow books in the standard size ? Like with the other books underneath the one that you’re writing in,is it awkward and hard to write or do the books lay pretty flat in the strings when they are opened or do you always need to use clips to hold it open even if you’re writing? Thank you so much to anyone that has some info to help me lol
Similarly, I think the inserts are about $1-2 more for the larger version, I prefer the A5 height and narrow width of the regular size for how I work. I suspect the price is more of a reflection on labor than paper size, they could easily buy A0 sheets and cut them down as needed.
A lot of times cost to make an item big or small is just the material cost. If that material cost is not that much different the price difference might not reflect it. Also they might of started off making the bigger products, and have the equipment for the bigger product. The smaller product might require either a new machine or the need to calibrate and set the machine to do differently. That takes time off the runtime for the more popular product. Another reason is artificially inflate the smaller size price to make it more appealing to buy the larger size. Sort of like when you "buy in bulk" you get the item cheaper for a lot of things. If you look up the price for Midori's 3 year diary, 5 year diary and 10 year diary. You will see that the cost of the difference is not triple double based on the year and amount of paper. It is easier to compare that, as it is the same size, everything same, just more pages.
How is it to write in with that charm on the back? I feel like it wouldnt lay flat due to that. It'd drive me nuts if it got in the way personally. But every TN I have seen have that charm. Or most TN's. Thanks for the video! You have a lovely collection.
My size is B6 for my everyday carry planner I have a standard size for my financials a a6 for my commonplace book I have a pocket size as well for my field notes I love the concept of TN I have several covers and rotate them
I'm guessing that the labor is almost the same for each size esp if using a sewing machine for the stitiching but the materials are more. but thankfully clothing doesn't eo this except for us plus size women
So I'm very new to this style of notebook, but I'm also thinking that the cost to import materials could potentially be part of the price point, especially if the company is based in Japan and the product is made in Thailand. This kind of goes along with the last point you'd made, so it makes sense. And I love the analogy with regards to clothing sizes - that helped put it in perspective as well!
I love Chic Sparrow and Soujourner TNs more than Midori because you can add more than three inserts EASILY without overhang. I am a four insert girl, so my TC tn was okay but not THE TN for me.
I prefer the Reg TN but I just ordered a passport for easy carry. But i agree the pricing is very significant. I am excited to go to the Caravan here in CA. Thank you for sharing I am excited to travel with my TN and passport.🙋🏻♀️
The standard size is A4/3, which means that if it were based on reams (which is not the case because reams are made from huge rolls of paper), 1/3 of each A4 sheet would be wasted. On the other hand, the passport is size B7, so each B5 ream would result in 2 signatures. Given the above, both are designed for different machinery, one JIS and the other ISO 216. The machinery used for both formats is different and calibrated differently. Midori is not only the owner of Midori but also of Knox and Plotter, and they make their paper in-house. They have exclusive divisions to make and design their paper, so the difference does not lie there. In general, smaller items have much higher demand in Japan, and generally, they have a higher price. The base price for labor may be the same, but not for materials. The quality tests and treatments required for the “matte” leather that these products have are not handled by Midori, so there could be a price change by the manufacturer. We do not know the method that Midori requests for the creation of its products. To put it simply, to ensure the matte finish, it goes through grinding and then the base treatment… perhaps Midori requests that these steps be done on each piece and not on large pieces of leather, so the cost of treating smaller pieces increases due to all the “precision” considerations that may be required. But meh...Perhaps it is only a matter of the Japanese market. It is also worth considering that in Japan, taxes are charged on… basically everything. If Midori buys its supplies individually, the company pays a significant amount of money in taxes. In Japan, due to taxes, it is often cheaper to buy 10 items individually than to buy 10 in a package. My logic then suggests that it is due to high demand and taxes.
I sincerely doubt a factory would order A4 sheets to manifacture these inserts. Company's are way too greedy to allow for waste. I think they order paper in customized format so there's no waste at all. The small difference in price may just be because the passport inserts are more desired than the standard.
It’s not always about the real estate of a piece of paper or leather. Yes, you pay for size/quantity of material, but it’s often negligent … a few bucks. What does cost is labor, warehouse, shipping, advertising, retail etc. Those costs are not much different from one item to the next. Think weight & space. You really overthink it!
None. You could get derm quality leather more than a ft square for that price. So for the passport size you could have a beautiful liner added even in silk. The current Traveler system is just a rip-off. The price difference between the two just tells you what a rip-off this is. Cheers, a
I do not care that I am paying more per square inch. I buy the size that would work best for me. This is more important. Do you buy a larger size dress which is the same price because you get more material for the money?
lol great point
Yeah, when you choose to splurge for a specific japanese import brand and not alternatives that can cost half that price, i think the few bucks of difference between the two size is really not something one cares about 😭
While I LOVE Traveler’s Company products, I’ve never bought their covers because I would find the elastic knot on the back annoying. HOWEVER. This video has pointed out that you could use the passport cover to hold an actual PASSPORT and I’m in need of a passport cover, so 💃🏼💃🏼💃🏼 TFS Sylvia 💫
I remove the back elastic band
The price has as much to do with labor and logistics as materials. It's as many steps to make a passport size notebook as a regular...so tge labor cost will be the same. Same marketing costs. Nominal increase in transport costs, etc. That's why the price doesn't correspond to size.
The standard size seems to be designed around fitting an A4 size piece of paper folded in thirds (according to midori's marketing). Along with fitting other typical travel documents like tickets/brochures/maps/spare money.
With the Passport size inserts, you would actually get 2 inserts out of 1 sheet of A4 paper, VS you can only make one regular size insert from a sheet of A4 paper. If you were making the passport size, you'd use 1/2 the amount of paper per insert....say if you have an insert with 20 pages...with the passport size, you could make that insert 40 pages, 2 passport size inserts per A4 size paper. With the regular size you would need 40 sheets of paper to make the same 4o page insert, as the regular size notebook is much larger.
I like the Passport size as it will more easily fit into a pocket than those oversized regular notebooks...if you have a backpack, briefcase, purse, etc. that you can cram that regular sized notebook into fine, but I don't want that bulky large regular notebook sticking out of my pocket.
Passport insert is DIN B7. The standard sheet of B0 will give you 128 B7 leafs.
I love making my own inserts! I love that I can make what ever size I need. My go-to size is A5 because all I have to do is fold (a standard letter size sheet) in half. If I need to make another size, I look online for measurements. I'm still practicing making my own travelers notebook. I love planners!
Muji pocket notebooks fit the passport size perfectly
Thanks for the analysis. Product pricing is complicated. I remember years ago when I used to buy name brand peanut butter, the 18 oz size cost less per ounce than the larger size, which didn’t seem logical. It was explained that the 18 oz size was more popular, they sold more, therefore the price difference.
"Amazon" does not set different prices for different versions/colors/sizes of products. Most products listed on Amazon are sold by vendors who use Amazon as their selling platform, and it's them changing the prices for different options. That's also why you will see some notebook brands and notebook covers listed multiple times.
Correct. People forget Amazon is a marketplace.
i'm on my third TN, and I was just looking for a size comparison video. The amount of money you spend between passport and regular size is very weird in the grand scheme of things so you make a good point. I've also tried passport and found it a bit too small for me, so I'm going to stick with regular size, especially since I make art. Thanks so much for helping me solidify my choice!!
So, it seems that the brands Midori, Travelers Company, Plotter, Knox, and Touch&Flow are under the same umbrella brand called Designphil !
I can't believe someone spend 8 minutes on price between 45 & 55 dollars and 5 & 7 dollars. Anyone whose use case fits the most expensive one and not willing to spend 10 & 2 dollar more (notebook + paper) boggles my mind.
Question here 🙋🏼♀️ I’ve never used a travelers notebook so this may be a silly question , but is it hard to write on the narrow books in the standard size ? Like with the other books underneath the one that you’re writing in,is it awkward and hard to write or do the books lay pretty flat in the strings when they are opened or do you always need to use clips to hold it open even if you’re writing? Thank you so much to anyone that has some info to help me lol
Similarly, I think the inserts are about $1-2 more for the larger version, I prefer the A5 height and narrow width of the regular size for how I work.
I suspect the price is more of a reflection on labor than paper size, they could easily buy A0 sheets and cut them down as needed.
Thank you for showing such great information.
A lot of times cost to make an item big or small is just the material cost. If that material cost is not that much different the price difference might not reflect it. Also they might of started off making the bigger products, and have the equipment for the bigger product. The smaller product might require either a new machine or the need to calibrate and set the machine to do differently. That takes time off the runtime for the more popular product. Another reason is artificially inflate the smaller size price to make it more appealing to buy the larger size. Sort of like when you "buy in bulk" you get the item cheaper for a lot of things. If you look up the price for Midori's 3 year diary, 5 year diary and 10 year diary. You will see that the cost of the difference is not triple double based on the year and amount of paper. It is easier to compare that, as it is the same size, everything same, just more pages.
how did you do the brass label plate in the bottom corner?
How is it to write in with that charm on the back? I feel like it wouldnt lay flat due to that. It'd drive me nuts if it got in the way personally. But every TN I have seen have that charm. Or most TN's.
Thanks for the video! You have a lovely collection.
My size is B6 for my everyday carry planner I have a standard size for my financials a a6 for my commonplace book I have a pocket size as well for my field notes I love the concept of TN I have several covers and rotate them
I prefer the Regular TN. I have 3 of them and only 1 Pasport. To me, it is the perfect size as a travel journal, as a planner, etc.
I'm guessing that the labor is almost the same for each size esp if using a sewing machine for the stitiching but the materials are more. but thankfully clothing doesn't eo this except for us plus size women
also after cutting smaller may not be able to use the leftover piece
So I'm very new to this style of notebook, but I'm also thinking that the cost to import materials could potentially be part of the price point, especially if the company is based in Japan and the product is made in Thailand. This kind of goes along with the last point you'd made, so it makes sense. And I love the analogy with regards to clothing sizes - that helped put it in perspective as well!
I love Chic Sparrow and Soujourner TNs more than Midori because you can add more than three inserts EASILY without overhang. I am a four insert girl, so my TC tn was okay but not THE TN for me.
If you're in Colorado Two Hands Paperie in Boulder sells these in their store. (Call first before you drive out there)
I prefer the Reg TN but I just ordered a passport for easy carry. But i agree the pricing is very significant. I am excited to go to the Caravan here in CA. Thank you for sharing I am excited to travel with my TN and passport.🙋🏻♀️
The standard size is A4/3, which means that if it were based on reams (which is not the case because reams are made from huge rolls of paper), 1/3 of each A4 sheet would be wasted. On the other hand, the passport is size B7, so each B5 ream would result in 2 signatures. Given the above, both are designed for different machinery, one JIS and the other ISO 216. The machinery used for both formats is different and calibrated differently. Midori is not only the owner of Midori but also of Knox and Plotter, and they make their paper in-house. They have exclusive divisions to make and design their paper, so the difference does not lie there. In general, smaller items have much higher demand in Japan, and generally, they have a higher price. The base price for labor may be the same, but not for materials. The quality tests and treatments required for the “matte” leather that these products have are not handled by Midori, so there could be a price change by the manufacturer. We do not know the method that Midori requests for the creation of its products. To put it simply, to ensure the matte finish, it goes through grinding and then the base treatment… perhaps Midori requests that these steps be done on each piece and not on large pieces of leather, so the cost of treating smaller pieces increases due to all the “precision” considerations that may be required. But meh...Perhaps it is only a matter of the Japanese market. It is also worth considering that in Japan, taxes are charged on… basically everything. If Midori buys its supplies individually, the company pays a significant amount of money in taxes. In Japan, due to taxes, it is often cheaper to buy 10 items individually than to buy 10 in a package. My logic then suggests that it is due to high demand and taxes.
Standard B0 sheet will give you 128 B7 leafs.
The standard size is not ⅓ of A5, the open book is more like almost a square long side A5 (210×200). I have no idea where is it coming from.
I sincerely doubt a factory would order A4 sheets to manifacture these inserts. Company's are way too greedy to allow for waste. I think they order paper in customized format so there's no waste at all. The small difference in price may just be because the passport inserts are more desired than the standard.
It’s not always about the real estate of a piece of paper or leather. Yes, you pay for size/quantity of material, but it’s often negligent … a few bucks. What does cost is labor, warehouse, shipping, advertising, retail etc. Those costs are not much different from one item to the next. Think weight & space.
You really overthink it!
None.
You could get derm quality leather more than a ft square for that price.
So for the passport size you could have a beautiful liner added even in silk.
The current Traveler system is just a rip-off.
The price difference between the two just tells you what a rip-off this is.
Cheers,
a