RETTACY Dotted Journal Notebook, 192 Pages, A5 Medium Size (5.7'' x 8.3''), Leather Hardcover, 100 GSM Thick Paper, for…
RETTACY
Best for
Best dot grid
Amazon rating
Amazon aggregate, one input among many in the Verdict Score
Based on 2 trusted sources
Current price
$7.99
Updated May 18, 2026 · 1 min read
Sources behind this verdict
11 reviewers weighted by source trust
The consensus
What reviewers found
Synthesized across the trust-weighted source mix below.
Across the reviewers we read, the Rettacy A5 dotted journal has become the go-to budget recommendation in specialist notebook communities. High-trust r/notebooks threads, including a direct "Paperage vs Rettacy" comparison, side with Rettacy for paper consistency from notebook to notebook and for being "closer to an A5 size than Paperage." A r/Journaling commenter describes the paper as fountain-pen friendly and thicker than Rhodia, which tracks with the listed 100gsm spec. The dot grid itself draws repeated praise on r/notebooks for being subtle, with one long-running thread specifically asking for "very very faint" 5mm dot grids and Rettacy surfacing as an answer.
What reviewers liked
- r/notebooks consensus rates paper consistency above Paperage at a similar price
- Subtle dot grid repeatedly recommended in faint-dot-grid threads
- 100gsm paper described as fountain-pen friendly by r/Journaling commenters
- Numbered pages and lay-flat binding at a sub-$10 price point
Where it falls short
- Cover and elastic durability criticized on r/notebooks
- Facebook ink-pen group reports inconsistency between individual copies
- No bujo-specific scaffolding (no key, index, or future log templates)
- Leather-look hardcover is vegan/synthetic, not real leather despite the marketing
Across the reviewers we read, the Rettacy A5 dotted journal has become the go-to budget recommendation in specialist notebook communities. High-trust r/notebooks threads, including a direct "Paperage vs Rettacy" comparison, side with Rettacy for paper consistency from notebook to notebook and for being "closer to an A5 size than Paperage." A r/Journaling commenter describes the paper as fountain-pen friendly and thicker than Rhodia, which tracks with the listed 100gsm spec.
The dot grid itself draws repeated praise on r/notebooks for being subtle, with one long-running thread specifically asking for "very very faint" 5mm dot grids and Rettacy surfacing as an answer. Numbered pages, leather-feel hardcover, and lay-flat binding are mentioned consistently across community sources. The Amazon rating of 4.8 across ~2,900 reviews corroborates the community signal rather than carrying it alone.
The honest weakness is build quality on the periphery. A r/notebooks thread comparing Emshoi and Rettacy notes "the paper is nice, I like the numbered pages, but the cover quality and elastic durability is not great." A Facebook ink-pen group post also flags inconsistency between copies. For under $10, specialist communities still treat it as one of the best dot-grid values on Amazon.
- Dotted Journal Notebook
- RETTACY Dotted Journal Notebook comes in a A5 size (5.7'' x 8.3''), 192 pages, durable and smooth leather hardcover, 100 GSM thick acid-free paper, 180° lay-flat, pen holder, elastic closure band, 2 ribbon bookmarks, inner pocket & 2 journaling stencils
- Premium Paper
- Crafted with time-resistant 100 GSM paper, this dotted journal preserves thoughts flawlessly while resisting ghosting/bleed-through with most pens. Acid-free material ensures long-term preservation, and its smooth surface enhances writing clarity - blending durability and premium performance
- Leather Hardcover
- RETTACY Dotted Journal Notebook's cover is made of smooth leather hardcover, offering protection for your precious entries. With this exquisite cover, you can rest assured that your journal will be a cherished keepsake for years to come
- 180° Lay-Flat Design
- The 180° lay-flat design ensures effortless writing and comfortable reading, allowing seamless use of both pages. It eliminates awkward angles and enhances the overall writing experience, adapting smoothly to any writing surface
- Versatile Applications
- RETTACY Dotted Journal Notebook streamlines thoughts & ideas for artists, planners, students, professionals via journaling, sketching, planning, note-taking, studying, & mind mapping, offering visual appeal & efficiency
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I'm currently using a Rettacy notebook, my first one, and I'm happy with it. I have the A5 lined version. The lines are subtle which I love.
A5 size (145 x 210mm / 5.7" x 8.3", or thereabouts). 5mm dot grid that is VERY VERY faint :) About 250 pages, bonus points if they're pre ...
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“A Great Cheap Notebook? Rettacy A5 Notebook Review” · YouTube
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