Before we get into it—my background. I'm the office administrator for a mid-sized company, managing about $40,000 in annual procurement across a dozen vendors. For the last three years, I've been responsible for ordering branded merchandise and corporate gifts, including a few large Moleskine orders. This guide is based on what I've learned navigating the Moleskine size options when we have to get it right the first time.
This guide is for you if you’re ordering Moleskine notebooks as corporate gifts or branded merchandise, and you need to pick the right size for your team or clients. I’ll walk through the main sizes, their use cases, and a few pitfalls to avoid. There are four main sizes to consider, but two of them will cover 90% of your needs.
Step 1: Match the Size to the Role (Pocket vs. Large)
This is the first and most important decision. The wrong size means the notebook collects dust. Let’s be honest, if it’s too big to carry, they won't use it. If it’s too small for meeting notes, they won’t use it either.
The Pocket-sized Notebook (9 x 14 cm / 3.5 x 5.5 inches)
This is the "always with you" size. Fits in a jacket pocket or a small bag. I usually recommend these for field staff or salespeople—anyone who needs to jot down quick notes on the go.
- Good for: quick capture, brainstorming, to-do lists, sales meetings
- Not great for: detailed meeting minutes, project planning, extensive writing
We gave out Pocket-sized notebooks at a sales conference last year. Mixed feedback. Some loved the portability. Others said they felt too small to take seriously. (Note to self: poll the actual end users before ordering 200 units next time.)
The Large-sized Notebook (13 x 21 cm / 5 x 8.25 inches)
This is the workhorse. It's the standard Moleskine size for most people. Roomy enough to write a full page of meeting notes without cramping, but not so big that it's awkward to carry in a work bag.
- Good for: meeting notes, daily journaling, project planning, everyday office use
- Not great for: situations requiring extreme portability (use Pocket)
When we had to consolidate orders for 400 employees across 3 locations in 2023, the Large was the default choice for 80% of recipients. It's the versatile option that works for most people. I've made this mistake myself: ordering a batch of Large notebooks for everyone, only to have the sales team ask for the Pocket version. The 12-point checklist I created after my third mistake has saved us an estimated $8,000 in potential rework.
Step 2: Confirm Your Edge Cases (Extra Large & A4)
Most people will choose between Pocket and Large. But there are two other sizes that serve specific needs.
The Extra Large Notebook (19 x 25 cm / 7.5 x 9.75 inches)
This is a newer size for Moleskine. Think of it as a meeting notebook.
- Good for: extensive note-taking, project managers, anyone who writes a lot in meetings
- Not great for: everyday carry (it’s too big for a standard bag)
The A4-sized Notebook (21 x 29.7 cm)
This is for desktop use only. It's not portable at all. I've only ordered these for specific creative teams or for use as project logbooks.
- Good for: studio reference, creative briefs, desk journals
- Not great for: portability, general use
I'm not 100% sure, but I think the A4 notebook might be more popular in European markets where A4 paper is the standard. It's a niche option for most US-based corporate orders.
Step 3: Check the Binding and Paper Type
This is an area I didn't pay enough attention to early on. I once ordered a batch of notebooks for a client who is an architect. He needed sketching paper. I ordered standard lined. That was a problem.
The Moleskine classic soft cover notebook comes in several variations. The paper type is a big decision.
| Paper Type | Best For |
|---|---|
| Lined (Ruled) | Standard writing, notes |
| Blank | Sketching, drawing, mind maps |
| Dotted (Bullet) | Bullet journaling, flexible layouts |
| Squared (Grid) | Technical drawings, charts, math |
The paper weight itself is approximately 70 gsm (grams per square meter). That's standard for a notebook. It's fine for ballpoint pens, but if you're handing these out to fountain pen users, they might need a different option. Industry standard for bleed resistance would be around 90 gsm. The Moleskine paper is what it is—workable, not fountain-pen-proof.
Step 4: Think About the Cover (Classic Soft vs. Hard Cover)
This is more than a cosmetic choice. The soft cover is flexible, lightweight, and fits into tight spaces. The hard cover is more protective and professional.
For corporate gifts that will be carried around, the soft cover is usually better (lighter, more flexible, fits a bag more easily). For desk-bound use or more formal contexts, the hard cover offers a premium feel.
There's something satisfying about handing over a premium package. After the stress of getting the order right, seeing the branded Moleskine notebooks delivered on time and correct—that's the payoff.
Step 5: Plan for Personalization
If you're ordering branded merchandise, personalization changes the game. Moleskine offers a range of customization options:
- Logo foiling: classic, professional look
- Logo embossing: subtle, textured feel
- Full-color print: for more elaborate branding
When we ordered personalized gift sets for our top clients last year, we included Large notebooks with foil-stamped logos. The vendor couldn't provide proper invoicing (handwritten receipt only). Finance rejected the expense report. I ate $2,400 out of the department budget. Now I verify invoicing capability before placing any order.
Step 6: Verify by Actual Use Case
Don't just order what you think looks good. Verify with a few end users. This is the step I often skip—and regret. Speed, quality, price. Pick two. The same applies to decisions: fast, cheap, right. Pick any two, but if you skip verification, you risk all three.
I've learned this from experience: a 5-minute spot-check with a few team members can prevent a lot of wasted budget. The 'it's the same for everyone' thinking comes from an era when we had fewer options. That's changed. Personalization and size-specific needs are now the norm.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ordering only one size for everyone. A mixed order (Pockets for sales, Large for office) often works better.
- Ignoring paper type. A designer will not use a lined notebook. Check the intended use.
- Underestimating lead time. For personalized orders, add 2-3 weeks to the standard timeline.
- Not verifying color for logos. Industry standard color tolerance is Delta E < 2 for brand-critical colors (reference: Pantone Color Matching System guidelines). If your logo uses a specific Pantone, ask for a proof first. 5 minutes of verification beats 5 days of correction.
This is a practical guide. It won't cover every edge case (like A5 variations or limited editions—those change yearly). But if you follow this checklist for your Moleskine corporate gift order, you'll avoid the mistakes I've made. Not ideal, but workable? No. Better than nothing? I'd say this guide gets you to 90% of a perfect order.