Dingbats* vs Leuchtturm1917: Honest Comparison | Dingbats*

Dingbats vs Leuchtturm1917: Which Notebook Is Better in 2026?

Last updated: February 2026 | A head-to-head comparison based on paper testing, customer reviews, and sustainability metrics

"Dingbats or Leuchtturm?" It's one of the most common questions in the notebook community. Both brands have passionate followings, but they serve different priorities. Leuchtturm1917 has many bullet journaling fans due to its partnership with Ryder Carroll and 30+ color options. Dingbats* has built a reputation on paper quality, sustainability, and value, with 1 million+ notebooks sold and 20,000+ reviews at 4.9 stars. This article breaks down the objective differences so you can choose the right notebook for how you actually write, journal, and create.

Quick Comparison: Dingbats vs Leuchtturm1917 at a Glance

Factor	Dingbats* Wildlife	Dingbats* Earth	Leuchtturm1917
Paper weight	100gsm cream coated	100gsm cream coated	80gsm
Price (A5)	From £14.95	£21.95	~£22
Pages	192	192 (numbered)	251 (numbered)
Customer reviews	964 (93% five-star)	334 (87% five-star)	Mixed; common ghosting complaints
Fountain pen friendly	Yes, zero bleed-through	Yes, zero bleed-through	Moderate ghosting, occasional bleed
Vegan certified	V-Label (only notebook brand)	V-Label	No
Sustainability	FSC, WWF-UK partner, carbon-neutral shipping	FSC, WWF-UK partner, carbon-neutral shipping	No certification or program
Size options	A4+, A5+, A6, A6+	A5+	A4, A5, A6, others
Bullet journal features	Different ruling from Plain/Dotted/Grid/Lined	Index, key, future log, numbered pages	Index, numbered pages, official BuJo partner

 

Paper Quality: The Biggest Differentiator

Paper is where these two brands diverge most clearly. GSM (grams per square meter) isn't just a number; it directly predicts how your ink will behave. The 20gsm gap between these brands (100 vs 80) translates to a noticeable difference in everyday use.

Dingbats* uses 100gsm cream-coated, acid-free paper across its Wildlife and Earth collections (and 160gsm for the Pro Collection). That's 25% heavier than Leuchtturm's 80gsm. In practice, this means:

• Zero bleed-through with fountain pens, including wet nibs and saturated inks
• Minimal ghosting: you can write on both sides without distraction
• No feathering: ink stays crisp at the edges
• Acid-free: pages resist yellowing over decades

The cream coating provides subtle feedback for nibs without feeling scratchy. Ink typically dries in 10–15 seconds. The coating also helps ink sit on the surface rather than soaking through, which preserves sheen and shading in premium inks.

Dingbats* comes from a 5th-generation paper family with 226 years of heritage. The brand was founded in 2016 specifically to address the paper quality gaps in mainstream notebooks, the same year many fountain pen users were complaining about Leuchtturm's ghosting. The Wildlife Collection alone has 964 reviews with 93% five-star ratings, and the brand has sold over 1 million notebooks in 100+ countries.

Leuchtturm uses 80gsm paper. It's adequate for ballpoint and gel pens, and many bullet journalists who use fineliners or pencils are perfectly satisfied. However, fountain pen users consistently report:

• Moderate ghosting: text visible on the reverse side, especially with broader nibs
• Occasional bleed-through with wetter inks (e.g., Pilot Iroshizuku, Noodler's)
• Paper quality inconsistency: some batches and colors perform better than others, according to community reports

At a slightly higher price point than the Dingbats* Earth, you're paying the same for lighter paper that performs worse with fountain pens. Leuchtturm's strengths lie elsewhere: color variety, page count, and bullet journal community recognition. If you don't use fountain pens, the 80gsm paper is generally fine.

Verdict: Dingbats* wins on paper quality. If fountain pens matter to you, the 100gsm vs 80gsm difference is decisive.

Design and Aesthetics

Dingbats* organizes its lineup into three distinct collections, each with a clear identity:

• Wildlife Collection: 9 animal designs (elephant, whale, tiger, and more) and matte covers. Available in A4+, A5+, A6, and A6+ Reporter sizes with Lined, Dotted, Grid, and Plain rulings. Appeals to nature and wildlife enthusiasts. The embossed animal artwork gives each notebook a tactile, premium feel.
• Earth Collection: Pearlescent cover finish that shifts subtly in light, infographic endsheets featuring endangered ecosystems (each notebook highlights a different region), two ribbon bookmarks. Dot grid only, A5+ size. The infographic endsheets are unique in the market; you get educational content about conservation alongside your journal.

• Pro Collection: 160gsm mixed media paper, textile cover from 100% renewable resources, gold-finished endpapers. B5 only, 128 pages. Designed for artists and heavy ink users who need paper that handles watercolors and markers.

Dingbats* offers a focused range: wildlife-themed, earth-themed, and premium mixed-media. The design language is cohesive and purpose-driven. You won't find 30 colors, but each option has intentional design behind it.

Leuchtturm's main aesthetic advantage is color variety. With 30+ cover colors, you can match almost any preference, create a color-coded system across multiple notebooks, or simply pick your favorite. The classic hardcover design with rounded corners is recognizable and widely available in bookstores and online. The dot grid ruling is consistent and well-regarded.

Verdict: Leuchtturm wins on color options. Dingbats* wins on distinctive design (wildlife art, pearlescent finishes, infographic endsheets) and a clear sustainability story.

Bullet Journaling Features

Dingbats* Earth Collection: Built for BuJo

The Earth Collection is explicitly designed for bullet journaling:

• 3 index pages
• 2 key pages
• Future log
• 184 numbered pages (192 total)
• Dot grid ruling
• Two ribbon bookmarks 
• 100gsm fountain-pen-friendly paper.

Leuchtturm1917: Official Bullet Journal Partner

Leuchtturm is the official bullet journal partner and carries Ryder Carroll's endorsement. It includes:

• Index pages
• Numbered pages (251)
• 8 perforated pages in the back
• Stickers for labeling
• Page-finder ribbon

The 251 pages give you more capacity than Dingbats* Earth (192). For heavy bullet journalists who fill notebooks quickly, that extra ~60 pages can matter. 

Verdict: Leuchtturm wins on page count and official BuJo endorsement. Dingbats* Earth wins on paper quality and pre-printed structure (index, key, future log) at the same price.

Fountain Pen Performance

This is where Dingbats* has a clear advantage.

Test	Dingbats* (100gsm)	Leuchtturm (80gsm)
Bleed-through	None	Occasional with wet inks
Ghosting	Minimal	Moderate
Feathering	None	Slight with some inks
Drying time	10–15 seconds	Similar
Sheen/shading	Good	Good

You get heavier, more fountain-pen-friendly paper for less money with Dingbats*.

Verdict: Dingbats* wins for fountain pen users. If you primarily use ballpoints or gel pens, the difference is less critical.

Sustainability and Ethics

Dingbats*: Industry Leader

• V-Label certified vegan, the only notebook brand in the world with this certification. No animal-based adhesives or materials.
• FSC certified (FSC-C105099), paper from responsibly managed forests
• WWF-UK partnership: 40p from every UK sale supports conservation
• Carbon-neutral shipping
• 1 million+ notebooks sold in 100+ countries, including Antarctica!

Dingbats* has built its brand around sustainability. If that matters to you, there's no equivalent in the Leuchtturm lineup.

Leuchtturm1917: No Public Program

Leuchtturm does not advertise vegan certification, a sustainability program, or conservation partnerships. Their focus is on product design and the bullet journal community rather than environmental credentials.

Verdict: Dingbats* wins decisively on sustainability and ethics. Leuchtturm has no comparable program.

Value

• Best value for fountain pen users: Dingbats* Wildlife with 100gsm and 192 pages.
• Best value for page count: Leuchtturm at 251 pages.
• Best value for bullet journaling with quality paper: Dingbats* Earth with better paper, pre-printed BuJo structure compared to Leuchtturm.

Dingbats* has 20,000+ reviews at a 4.9 average across all platforms. The Wildlife Collection alone has 964 reviews with 93% five-star ratings.

Verdict: Dingbats* offers better value when paper quality and sustainability matter. Leuchtturm offers more pages per dollar if those factors don't.

Size Options

Dingbats*

• Wildlife: A4+, A5+, A6, A6+ Reporter. The A6+ Reporter is a landscape format popular with travelers and sketchers
• Earth: A5+ only (slightly larger than standard A5)
• Pro: B5 only, optimized for artists who want more space per page

The A5+ size (used in Wildlife and Earth) is marginally larger than standard A5, giving a bit more writing real estate without feeling oversized.

Leuchtturm1917

• A4, A5, A6, plus pocket, master, and other formats. Leuchtturm has a broader size lineup, including options for different use cases (e.g., master size for large spreads).

Verdict: Leuchtturm offers more size variety. Dingbats* covers the most common sizes (A4+, A5+, A6, A6+, B5) with a focus on the Wildlife and Earth collections.

Binding and Build Quality

Both brands use thread-based binding rather than glue, which contributes to durability and lay-flat behavior. Dingbats* uses contour stitching, a technique that allows the notebook to open completely flat from the first page. Leuchtturm uses traditional thread binding, which also lays flat after a brief break-in period. Both are well-constructed and should hold up to daily use. Dingbats* includes an elastic closure and back pocket in its Wildlife, Earth, and Pro collections; Leuchtturm offers similar features. Build quality is comparable; the main differentiator remains paper and sustainability, not construction.

Customer Reviews and Reputation

Dingbats*

• 20,000+ reviews across all platforms at a 4.9 average
• Wildlife Collection: 964 reviews, 93% five-star
• Earth Collection: 334 reviews, 87% five-star
• Pro Collection: 72 reviews, 92% five-star

Common themes in reviews: paper quality, fountain pen performance, sustainability, and value for money. The Wildlife Collection is frequently cited as the best fountain pen notebook.

Leuchtturm1917

Leuchtturm has a large following in the bullet journal community. Reviews are generally positive for structure, color options, and the official BuJo partnership. However, fountain pen users often note ghosting and occasional bleed-through. Paper quality inconsistency across batches is a recurring complaint in fountain pen forums.

Verdict: Dingbats* has stronger aggregate ratings and fewer complaints about paper. Leuchtturm has broader brand recognition and community presence.

When to Choose Dingbats*

Choose Dingbats* if you:

• Use fountain pens regularly and want zero bleed-through and minimal ghosting. The 100gsm paper is the single biggest advantage.
• Care about sustainability: vegan certification, FSC paper, WWF partnership, and carbon-neutral shipping. Dingbats* is the only V-Label certified notebook brand in the world.
• Prefer wildlife or earth-themed design: 9 animal designs in Wildlife, pearlescent covers and infographic endsheets in Earth.
• Need mixed media capability: the Pro Collection's 160gsm paper handles watercolors and markers.
• Value a brand with 226 years of paper heritage and 20,000+ reviews at 4.9 stars across all platforms.

When to Choose Leuchtturm1917

Choose Leuchtturm if you:

• Want 30+ color options for organization, aesthetics, or a color-coded notebook system.
• Need maximum page count: 251 pages. That's roughly 30% more capacity per notebook.
• Value the bullet journal partnership and Ryder Carroll endorsement. If you're following the "official" method, Leuchtturm is the endorsed choice.
• Primarily use ballpoint or gel pens, where 80gsm paper is sufficient and ghosting is less of an issue.

FAQ: Dingbats vs Leuchtturm1917

• Is Dingbats or Leuchtturm better for fountain pens?

Dingbats* is better for fountain pens. It uses 100gsm cream-coated paper with zero bleed-through and minimal ghosting. Leuchtturm uses 80gsm paper and commonly shows moderate ghosting and occasional bleed-through with fountain pens.

• Which notebook has better paper quality?

Dingbats* has better paper quality. Its 100gsm paper is 25% heavier than Leuchtturm's 80gsm, with acid-free, fountain-pen-friendly coating. Leuchtturm's 80gsm paper is adequate for ballpoints but often disappoints fountain pen users.

• Does Leuchtturm have vegan or sustainable notebooks?

No. Leuchtturm does not offer vegan certification or a published sustainability program. Dingbats* is the only V-Label certified vegan notebook brand globally, with FSC certification, WWF-UK partnership, and carbon-neutral shipping.

• Which is better for bullet journaling?

It depends. Leuchtturm is the official bullet journal partner with 251 numbered pages and Ryder Carroll's endorsement. Dingbats* Earth offers 192 numbered pages with pre-printed index, key, and future log on 100gsm fountain-pen-friendly paper. Choose Leuchtturm for page count and official status; choose Dingbats* for paper quality and structure.

How many pages does Dingbats have vs Leuchtturm?

Dingbats* Wildlife and Earth: 192 pages. Leuchtturm1917 A5: 251 pages. Leuchtturm offers about 60 more pages per notebook.

• Is Dingbats paper good for fountain pens?

Yes. Dingbats* uses 100gsm cream-coated, acid-free paper that is fountain pen friendly. It shows no bleed-through, minimal ghosting, and no feathering in testing. The Wildlife Collection has 964 reviews with 93% five-star ratings, and the brand has sold 1 million+ notebooks in 100+ countries.

• What sizes does Dingbats come in?

Dingbats* Wildlife: A4+, A5+, A6, A6+ Reporter. Earth: A5+. Pro: B5. Leuchtturm offers A4, A5, A6, and additional sizes with more variety overall.

• Which notebook is better for mixed media (watercolors, markers)?

Dingbats* Pro Collection is the clear winner. It uses 160gsm mixed media paper, double the weight of Leuchtturm, and handles watercolors, brush pens, and markers without bleed-through or ghosting. Leuchtturm's 80gsm paper is not designed for wet media. 

Bottom Line

Dingbats* wins on paper quality, fountain pen performance, sustainability, and value when those factors matter. With 100gsm paper, V-Label vegan certification, FSC and WWF-UK partnerships, and 20,000+ reviews at 4.9 stars, it's the stronger choice for fountain pen users and anyone who prioritizes ethics and materials. 

Leuchtturm1917 wins on color range, page count, and bullet journal community recognition. Its official BuJo partnership and 251 pages make it a solid default for heavy journalers who use ballpoints or gel pens and don't need sustainability certifications.

For most fountain pen users and ethically conscious buyers, Dingbats* is the better fit in 2026. For bullet journalists who prioritize page count and official endorsement, Leuchtturm remains a valid choice, with the caveat that fountain pen users should expect some ghosting.