Dingbats Pro Notebook Review

The Dingbats Pro Notebook is the bigger, heavier-paper sibling in the Dingbats range, and it feels aimed at people who want one notebook to handle more than ordinary daily writing. In this review I’m looking at the B5 Pro Collection notebook with the dark textile-style cover, dot grid pages, elastic closure, pen loop, two bookmarks, and 160gsm paper.

My quick take: this is not the lightest or most pocketable notebook, but that is not really the point. It is a desk, studio, or serious bullet-journal notebook for anyone who wants more page space and more paper confidence. The B5 size gives layouts room to breathe, the cover feels more grown up than a basic faux leather notebook, and the paper is the main reason to consider it.

Quick verdict

The Dingbats Pro is a strong pick if you like fountain pens, markers, sketching, or mixed media but still want a structured notebook rather than a sketchbook. The 160gsm white paper is thick enough to make the notebook feel premium immediately. It handled the writing test very well, with hardly any ghosting and no bleed-through in the sample shown.

The main trade-off is portability. B5 is spacious and the 160gsm paper is excellent, but the notebook is less compact than an A5 journal and has fewer pages because each sheet is thicker.

Cover, size, and first impressions

The cover is one of the most distinctive parts of the Pro Collection. It is a hardcover notebook, but instead of a smooth leatherette feel it has a rougher textile texture. In the hand it feels more like a linen-covered book, which suits the more creative positioning of the notebook. The reviewed version has a very dark navy or blue-black look with gold detailing on the front.

Interior layout and paper

Inside, the notebook opens with a decorated information page and then moves into the main dot grid section. The paper is white rather than cream and the reviewed version uses a 5mm dot grid. That makes it very flexible: you can use it for structured bullet journal spreads, writing, diagrams, collections, or sketching without the page feeling too visually busy.

The big spec is the 160gsm paper. Pages feel substantial, turn with more weight, and give you more confidence with wet ink than a standard notebook. The trade-off is the 128-page count, which prioritizes paper quality over maximum volume.

Pen loop, bookmarks, pocket, and usability

The Pro includes the practical extras people expect in a premium journal: elastic closure, pen loop, two bookmarks, and a pocket in the back. The pen loop held a regular pen well in the review and also worked with a pencil, as long as the writing instrument was not unusually tiny or oversized. The two bookmarks are a nice touch because a larger notebook often ends up with more active sections at once.

The pocket in the back is useful for loose notes, receipts, stickers, or small reference sheets. Because the notebook is B5, the pocket also feels more useful than it does in smaller notebooks. You have enough space to tuck things in without instantly bulking up the whole book.

Writing test and fountain pen performance

The writing test is where the Dingbats Pro makes its case. The sample included pencils, ballpoint, hybrid pens, gel pens, rollerballs, and fountain pens. On the back of the page there was hardly any ghosting and no bleed-through, even with the broader fountain pen nib. That is exactly what you hope to see from 160gsm paper.

The paper does not feel as coated or slick as the paper in some other Dingbats notebooks. It has more of a matte feel, which may appeal if you like a bit more control under the pen. Very smooth coated paper can be lovely, but it can also increase drying time. The Pro paper feels like a practical middle ground: thick, clean, and friendly to ink without feeling overly glossy.

Who should choose the Dingbats Pro?

Choose the Dingbats Pro if you want your notebook to do more than hold daily notes. The B5 page size is excellent for people who dislike cramped spreads. Weekly layouts, habit trackers, reading logs, project sketches, class notes, design ideas, and longer journal entries all get more room. If you have ever felt boxed in by A5, B5 can feel like a relief.

It is also a good choice for creative journalers who want one book for writing and visual work. You can use it as a bullet journal, commonplace book, sketchbook-light, or project planner. The paper weight means you can be less cautious with pens. You still need to test heavy watercolor or very wet media, but compared with ordinary notebook paper this gives you much more freedom.

What are the drawbacks?

The biggest drawback is portability. A B5 hardcover with 160gsm paper is not going to disappear into a tiny bag. It is better as a main notebook than a carry-everywhere pocket companion. The second drawback is the page count. 128 pages is plenty for many projects, but if you want a notebook to last a very long time for daily journaling, a thinner-paper notebook with more pages may last longer.

Pros and cons

• Pros: thick 160gsm paper, excellent fountain pen performance, generous B5 size, lay-flat binding, pen loop, two bookmarks, back pocket, and a distinctive textile hardcover.
• Cons: less portable than A5, fewer pages because of the thicker paper, and the textured cover may not suit everyone.

FAQ

Final Thoughts

The Dingbats Pro Notebook is a strong upgrade if you want a larger notebook with paper that can handle more demanding writing tools. It feels less like a simple daily journal and more like a creative work notebook. The cover has personality, the accessories are practical, and the paper performance is the highlight.

I would choose it for bullet journaling, sketching, project planning, fountain pen notes, and any setup where page space matters. I would skip it only if you need maximum portability or maximum page count. For everyone else, the Dingbats Pro is one of the more interesting premium notebooks in the Dingbats lineup.