The Ultimate Guide to Notebook Page Numbers
- Leo Xia
- Jul 5
- 3 min read
Quick Content Reach:
1. Why Do Notebook Page Numbers Matter?
When buyers ask me—why two near-identical notebooks carry wildly different freight quotes, the answer is almost always page count. More pages mean more paper, higher GSM weight, thicker spines, and extra pallets on the truck—driving up printing, binding, and shipping costs, but also extending product lifespan on the shelf.
2. Pages vs. Sheets — Don’t Get Tripped Up
A “page” is one printable surface; a “sheet” has two pages (front & back). U.S. spiral notebooks marketed as “70 sheets” are actually 140 pages—a fact that confuses first-time importers every season.
3. The Mathematics Behind Common Page Counts
Offset printers impose signatures in multiples of 16 or 24. Finishing in these blocks minimizes waste, which is why you’ll frequently see 128, 160, 192, or 224 pages on price lists.
4. Popular Page Numbers by Region
5. Why 192 Pages Became the Sweet Spot
Signature efficiency – 192 pages = 8 × 24-page signatures; zero scrap.
User psychology – Feels “substantial” yet not bulky; fits most backpacks.
Cost curve – Beyond 200 pages, incremental GSM drives postage into the next tariff bracket for USPS & Royal Mail.These factors made 192 pages the default for Moleskine-style journals worldwide.
6. How to Choose the Right Page Count for Your Order
6.1 Understand User Needs
Corporate planners need 365 daily blocks—at least 200 pages. Fashion journals for Gen-Z? 120 to 160 pages keeps weight low.
6.2 Balance Budget & MOQ
Each additional signature adds press time. If your MOQ is 10 k, dropping from 192 to 160 pages can save ~8 % on paper cost.
6.3 Match Notebook Size
An A5 (148 × 210 mm) notebook with 192 pages equals a 22 mm spine; go thicker and the cover board must upgrade from 2 mm to 2.5 mm, raising material cost. en.wikipedia.orgpapersizes.io
6.4 Consider Affordability vs. Perceived Value
Retail buyers often benchmark USD price per page. A 192-page book may look costlier, but per-page cost can be 15 % cheaper than a 120-page variant when ordered at scale.
6.5 Factor in Shipping Weight
Ocean freight is still sold by CBM, but air cargo quotes by gross weight. Cutting 32 pages on 5 000 pcs saves ~120 kg—roughly USD 700 on a Hong Kong→LAX lane at July 2025 rates.
Conclusion
I’ve spent two decades tweaking signatures to shave grams without sacrificing brand feel. The “perfect” page count isn’t a magic number—it’s the intersection of user purpose, print efficiency, and landed cost. Need help modeling the sweet spot for your next range? You design—we deliver.
—Leo Xia, CEO, Lion Paper Products
FAQs:
Q1: Why do U.S. composition books list 70 sheets?
A: They follow sheet count; 70 sheets = 140 pages.
Q2: Does more pages always mean higher cost?
A: Not linearly; signature efficiency can offset paper usage.
Q3: Why are page counts multiples of 16?
A: Printing plates impose in 16-page forms for waste reduction.
Q4: Can I customize odd page numbers like 175?
A: Technically yes, but waste and cost surge—better round up.
Q5: What’s the lightest paper GSM for 200 pages?
A: 70–80 gsm keeps thickness manageable without show-through.
Q6: Do EU buyers prefer 192 pages?
A: Yes; retail audits show 192-page A5 journals lead shelf share.
Are you looking for a reliable manufacturer? Reach out to Lion Paper for a free quote and consultation. Let’s collaborate on creating custom writing paper products that will set your brand apart from the competition.
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