Short answer: to start a traveler's notebook style journal, pick a TN-style cover in a size you will carry, add one to three inserts that match that size, hold them in place with the elastic bands inside the spine, and give each insert one clear job, such as a planner, a diary or a sketchbook. Start small, use it for a few weeks, then add inserts and extras as you learn what you actually use.
Key Takeaways
- A TN-style journal is a system: one refillable cover plus slim inserts you can swap out when they fill up.
- Size is everything: inserts must match the cover size (for example passport, pocket, regular or A6). Check the dimensions on the product page.
- Elastic does the binding: one band per insert is the usual starting point, and connector bands let you add more.
- Give each insert one job so you always know where to write.
- Start with two inserts and grow from there, rather than filling the cover on day one.
What is a traveler's notebook style journal?
A traveler's notebook style journal, often shortened to TN-style, is a soft cover, usually leather or PU leather, that wraps around one or more thin notebooks called inserts. Instead of being glued or sewn in, the inserts are held by elastic cords that run along the inside of the spine. When an insert is full, you slide it out, label it and keep it on a shelf, then slip in a fresh one. The cover stays with you.
The appeal of the format is flexibility. One cover can hold a weekly planner and a sketchbook today and a travel diary next month. It is also easy to personalize with charms, pockets, washi tape and stickers.
TN-style notebook vs an A5 notebook
An A5 notebook is a single bound book, 148 x 210 mm, that you fill and replace. A TN-style notebook is a refillable cover that holds several thin inserts under elastic bands, usually in a taller, narrower shape. Choose A5 for one roomy book on a desk, and TN-style if you want separate inserts you can swap and carry.
| A5 notebook | TN-style notebook | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | One bound book with a fixed number of pages | A cover plus one or more slim inserts held by elastic |
| Refills | Start a new notebook when it is full | Slide out a full insert and add a fresh one; the cover stays |
| Size | 148 x 210 mm (about 5.8 x 8.3 in) | Varies by cover; Regular is tall and narrow, 22 x 12 cm on our crazy horse cover |
| Flexibility | Everything lives in one book, in order | Separate inserts for planning, writing and sketching, rearranged at will |
| Cost over time | You buy a whole notebook each time | You buy the cover once, then only inserts |
A5 dimensions are from the ISO 216 standard as listed on Wikipedia: Paper size (accessed October 22, 2026). If you like the A5 page size but want a refillable setup, some TN-style covers are made to hold A5 inserts, such as the A5 option of our Genuine Leather Travel Journal in crazy horse finish.
Step 1: Choose your cover
Size
TN-style covers come in a family of sizes, and the cover size decides which inserts fit. Typical names include passport (small, pocketable), pocket, and regular (tall and narrow). Some covers are built around standard paper sizes such as A6, which measures 105 x 148 mm (Wikipedia: Paper size).
Sizes are not perfectly consistent between makers, so always check the dimensions on the product page. Our Crazy Horse Leather Refillable Journal Cover lists each size it comes in, from passport to regular, with measurements in centimeters and inches.
A simple rule of thumb:
- Passport: best if you want it in a pocket or a small bag every day.
- A6 or pocket sizes: a good balance of writing space and portability.
- Regular (tall): the classic choice for travel journals and planners, with room for tickets and photos.
Which size should you pick?
Pick the size you will actually carry. Passport is the most portable, Regular gives the most writing room in the classic tall shape, A6 suits loose-leaf tri-fold covers, and A5 gives a full page in a refillable format. Measurements vary between makers, so compare the listed dimensions.
| Size | Example dimensions | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | 13 x 10 cm (our crazy horse cover) | A pocket or small bag, lists, travel notes |
| Regular | 22 x 12 cm (our crazy horse cover) | Daily journaling, planners, travel journals |
| A6 | 105 x 148 mm inserts (ISO A6) | Loose-leaf tri-fold covers, compact planners |
| A5 | 148 x 210 mm pages (ISO A5) | A full-size page with removable inserts |
ISO sizes are from Wikipedia: Paper size (accessed October 22, 2026). For the full chart, including Pocket and B6, see TN-style notebook sizes explained, and for standard paper sizes in general, notebook sizes explained. If you prefer loose-leaf pages, the A6 Tri-Fold Journal Cover in dark brown PU leather takes standard A6 inner pages.
Material
Genuine leather covers soften and darken with use, so they look more personal over time. PU (vegan) leather covers are lighter, keep a more even color and need very little care. If you are not sure which you prefer, our guide on how to choose a leather journal compares the two in detail. You can browse both in Notebook Covers & Inserts.
Cover style
- Classic elastic cover: a single piece of leather with elastic bands inside the spine.
- Tri-fold covers: fold in three and often hold loose-leaf inserts. The A6 Tri-Fold PU Leather Journal Cover with Strap is one example.
- Starter sets: a cover that comes with several inserts already, such as our Refillable Travel Journal Set with 4 Inserts. This is the easiest way to begin, because you know everything fits.
Step 2: Choose your inserts
Inserts are the thin notebooks that go inside. Choose them by size first, then by page type.
Common insert types
- Blank: for sketching, collage and freeform journaling.
- Lined: for diary writing and long notes.
- Grid or dot grid: for planners, habit trackers and lists.
- Kraft paper: a warm brown paper that suits vintage and travel collage.
- Pocket or zip folders: for receipts, tickets, cards and stickers you want to keep.
How many inserts?
Begin with two. A cover with one or two inserts usually closes neatly and is comfortable to write in. Every extra insert adds thickness, and a very full cover can be harder to keep flat. Once you know how you use your journal, add a third insert or a folder.
Step 3: Set up the elastic
The elastic is what holds everything together, and it is simpler than it looks.
One insert
Open the insert to its center page and slide it under the elastic band in the spine, so the band sits in the fold of the insert. Close the cover and check that the insert sits evenly.
Two or three inserts
If your cover has more than one band, give each insert its own band. If it has only one band, you can use a separate rubber connector band: loop it around the spine of two inserts so they are joined, then slide one under the cover's main elastic. You can also wrap a slim elastic around the outside of the closed cover to keep loose papers in.
Keeping it tidy
- If the cover will not close flat, take out one insert or a folder.
- Put the insert you use most at the front or in the center so it opens first.
- Elastic loosens with time. If it gets slack, replacing the cord is a normal part of owning a refillable cover.
How many inserts can one cover hold?
As general guidance, plan on one insert per elastic band. A cover with a single band holds one insert on its own, or two to three if you join them with connector bands. Covers with several built-in bands take one insert per band. The real limit is thickness: stop adding inserts when the cover no longer closes flat.
- One band: one insert, or a small stack joined with connector bands.
- Two or three bands: one insert under each band, which keeps every insert easy to open.
- Folders and pocket inserts: count them as inserts, because they add as much bulk as a notebook once they fill with tickets and receipts.
Thinner inserts mean you can carry more of them, so if you want four or five jobs in one cover, choose slim inserts rather than thick ones.
Step 4: Give each insert a job
A journal is easier to keep using when you know exactly where each kind of note goes. Assign each insert one clear purpose and label the front with a sticker or a strip of washi tape.
Layout ideas
- Planner + diary: a grid insert for weekly plans and to-do lists, plus a lined insert for daily reflections.
- Travel journal: a kraft insert for collage, a lined insert for notes, and a folder for tickets, maps and receipts.
- Creative journal: a blank insert for sketches and a kraft or dot grid insert for collage with stickers and parchment paper.
- Reading log: a lined insert for quotes and notes, and a grid insert for a list of books with simple ratings or dates.
- Gratitude and habits: a small insert with a habit grid on the left page and one line of gratitude a day on the right.
For a trip, give each insert a stage of the journey: a planning insert for bookings, packing lists and maps before you go, a daily insert for notes and tickets while you travel, and a collage insert to finish at home with photos. Our guide on how to keep a travel journal walks through what to record before, during and after a trip.
A simple weekly spread
On a two-page spread in a grid insert, draw seven boxes for the days on the left page. On the right page, keep a short to-do list at the top and a notes area below. Add a strip of washi tape across the top as a header and stamp or stencil the dates. For neat lettering, a Brass Journal Stencil Ruler helps with headers and numbers.
Step 5: Add the finishing touches
- Bookmarks: a brass leaf or strap bookmark marks your current page without much bulk. See Stamps & Journal Tools.
- Washi tape: use it to label inserts, tab important pages and decorate spreads. Our guide to washi tape and sticker ideas has techniques to try.
- Stickers and ephemera: vintage stickers, parchment and collage papers make travel and memory pages feel full. Browse Stickers & Ephemera.
- A pen that lives with the journal: a slim PU leather pen sleeve keeps your pen with your notebook.
Looking after your cover
Genuine leather covers pick up marks and darken where you hold them, which is part of the charm. Wipe with a soft dry or slightly damp cloth, let it air-dry away from heat, and keep it out of strong direct sunlight. PU covers only need a damp cloth. When you retire a full insert, write the dates on the front and store it flat, so your old journals stay easy to find. For more care questions, see the FAQ. If your cover is crazy horse leather, read crazy horse leather to see how it ages, and how to clean and condition leather covers for a full care routine.
Common questions
Can I use inserts from another shop?
Yes, as long as the size matches. Measure the height and width of your cover's inside and compare it with the insert's listed dimensions.
Is a TN-style journal good for beginners?
Yes. Because inserts are thin and easy to replace, there is less pressure to make every page perfect. A starter set with a cover and inserts is the easiest way in.
What is special about a TN-style notebook?
It is refillable and modular. One cover holds several slim inserts under elastic bands, so you can keep a planner, a diary and a sketchbook together, swap out each insert when it fills, and keep the same cover for years. Leather covers also soften and darken with use, so the journal becomes more personal.
What is the best size for a TN-style notebook?
There is no single best size. Passport suits people who want the journal in a pocket every day, Regular gives the most writing room in the classic tall shape, and A6 or A5 suit people who like standard paper sizes. Start with the size you will carry most, then add a second cover later if you need it.
Is A5 or B5 better for journaling?
A5 is better for most people who carry a journal, because at 148 x 210 mm it fits most bags. B5, at 176 x 250 mm in the ISO series, gives wider pages for planning spreads and long entries at a desk. Our A5 vs B5 guide compares the two in more detail.
Ready to begin? Browse Notebook Covers & Inserts or the starter sets in Notebooks & Planners. US orders ship for a flat $6.99, free on orders of $79 or more, and arrive in 7–14 business days. Questions? Contact us.
