I have three beautiful custom sketchbooks in my possession. I picked painted art journal pages of my own as cover art, and I am in love with these blank books.

Today I’m sharing a video review of them, including a pen test so that you can see for yourself how the paper takes watercolors and sharpie pens.

Custom Sketchbooks from Bookblock for Studio iHanna

I love that you can have your own custom sketchbooks or notebook printed and shipped to your home these days. I got three different notebooks from a UK Company that makes all kind of custom sketchbooks, calendars and notebooks. I collect and use all kinds of notebooks, but if they’ve already got some iHanna sass before I start filling them? Even better!

Three custom sketchbooks by Bookblock for Studio iHanna, Sweden

I am super happy with how vibrant the cover art is, and how sturdy and beautiful these notebooks are! I really love all three of the ones I got. Yum!

I picked pink elastic closure and pink ribbon as bookmarks, as all the covers work with the magenta pink color they offered. Studio iHanna custom notebook

I can no longer contain my notebook enthusiasm for these Studio iHanna Custom Sketchbooks. Here we go.

Video Review of Bookblock Custom Sketchbooks


Review of Custom Sketchbooks (click if you can’t see the video above) on Studio iHanna on YouTube. Please give the video a thumbs up there. Thank you.

I got two sketchbook type blank books, with thick sketchbook paper and one that has a thinner paper for journaling. All three has white end-papers, and inside the book you can see who printed it, thesister company Monsieur Notebooks, but they can be found at the UK company Bookblock Originals, linked below. They also have elastic closures, and a silky ribbon bookmark but no back-pockets like a Moleskine notebook.

When I got mine, you could also chose if you wanted blank paper, grid paper or dotted paper as inside pages. That’s what I call customization!

Three custom made Studio iHanna Sketchbooks

Custom Sketchbooks with cover from my Art Journal Pages

I would’ve never have splurged on them on my own, but the company BookBlock contacted me and asked me to do a review, and of course I agreed. When I opened up the package they sent me, I was thrilled over these notebooks and I regret not showing them here sooner…

Custom Sketchbooks with cover from my Art Journal Pages

I did a little dance when I opened these up, but because I wanted to do a review showing my face, I have hesitated a lot about posting that to YouTube… I feel so self-conscious about this video review, but it’s just the first step. I have made up my mind to film, upload and share more this year, so I just need to talk sternly to myself.

Custom Sketchbooks with cover from iHanna's Art Journal Pages

How to order a Custom Sketchbook

Visit the siteBookblock Originaland there you can make your own notebooks in three simple steps.

  1. Prepare your artwork, and they have some great guides showing you what will be front, spine and back of the cover.
  2. Upload your artwork. You can use paintings from your Art Journal, like I did, or pick a photo, design a diary cover especially for your next writing project, or simply write out a quote on a color you like. There are so many ideas you could try out!
  3. Then you simply complete your order by picking out the inside pages,

Unfortunately I noticed that you can no longer order just one of each cover. When I ordered mine I could do that, but now you need to order 25 notebooks at a minimum, so maybe it’s not for privates anymore. Sorry. Although I imagine it would be a great gift for participants if you’re hosting a workshop, conference or other bigger event… Or for selling in your Etsy Shop of course. I wish I dared to do that, but I would be afraid I would be stuck with a big pile of notebooks.

If you want custom sketchbooks or notebooks, they also have stock notebooks that you can customize with your name, url, or logo for example. Love that feature too, and it’s great for getting special gifts for notebook fans you know. I bought my boyfriend a Moleskine sketchbook with his name on for Christmas, for example.

Here’s my pen test on the thicker paper in one of my custom sketchbooks:

Pen test in Bookblock Sketchbook by iHanna #notebook #customcover

Since this was my first video review of a notebook, I think this was my first pen test I have ever done. But it was fun to try.

And here’s another page I made in my journal, a while after this review was filmed:

Looking for freedom. So: Just start something, it doesn't have to be epic!

Let me know if you want to see a flip-through of the mostly black-and-white drawings I’ve made in my first Bookblock custom sketchbook below, or any other notebook related videos. Also, make sure you’re subscribed to me on YouTube, so you don’t miss a thing!

Wishing you a great day!

PS: Sign up for my Newsletter, one will go out soon. And when you join, I’ll send you some inspirational quotes to print for your sketchbook, notebook, bullet journal or planner. Yay!