NSW20: Bullet journals from Port West (sponsored)

National Stationery Week 2020 is finally here! Stationery Show London may have been pushed back but the campaign we all love is raring to go, offering stationery addicts around the world a source of creative comfort in times of crisis. And, as today is #MakeANoteMonday, I thought we’d kick things off with the all-important bullet journal. And what better brand to feature than 2020 Launchpad winner Port West.

Established in 2018, Port West Stationers create notebooks with both people and the planet in mind. Founded by architects Khalifa and Shaun, Port West champions local production and the use of sustainable materials and processes. All of their notebooks are manufactured in the UK, with recycled papers and boards sourced from British and Italian mills.

“Our books are a representation of the design values we hold important. These include Function (durable materials, lay-flat design, practical features and guides), Beauty and Form (timeless aesthetics, subtlety, emotion and identity) and Sustainability (recycled materials, low-carbon footprints, transparent and accountable production and local manufacturing).”

Their debut product is the A5 notebook (01), released back in September 2019.

It’s a hardback journal with a fabric cover, plus ribbon marker and elastic closure. It features 170 numbered dot grid or lined pages, on 90gsm paper.

Available in burgundy, light blue, navy, grey, green, and black, all editions also feature a built-in contact page and four ruled content pages.

Ready for my trusty pen test?

Yep, I got them all out and, as is to be expected with 90gsm paper, there’s ghosting with all of the pens, plus a tiny bleed with one of the heavier pens, much like you’d see with a LT1917.

I dug out a lighter pen, a pencil, and some biros for a comparison (not all bullet journalists – journalists? journalers? – also enjoy brush lettering) and there is still some ghosting, but this is something many people are happy to overlook.

I had a play with a couple of spreads and got on well with the dot grid. I liked the spacing and the dots aren’t too dark – something which is often a deal breaker for me.

Their newly released A5/02 is a vegan paperback daily jotter, available in rust, green, blue, black, red, and grey. It’s 90% recycled and 100% recyclable.

This nifty notebook is available with 110 plain, dot grid, or ruled pages, and lays flat. It also has a built-in contact page and page headers.

Want to try them for yourself? Port West are giving away two writing sets, consisting of one burgundy 01, a 02 in the colour of your choice, plus a drawstring pencil pouch.

There are two sets up for grabs – one for a UK-based stationery addict, and one international. To be in with a chance of winning, just complete the Gleam entries below:

NSW20 Port West bullet journal giveaway

Terms and conditions: This giveaway closes at midnight on Sunday 26 April. The winners will be selected at random.

Keep popping back this week for more reviews and giveaways. Happy National Stationery Week!