Why are Sketchbooks So Expensive?

When I first started seriously getting into drawing, I decided I needed to get the best sketchbook out there. That's why I went with moleskine sketchbooks. They're acid free, have an inner pocket, thicker (70 gsm or grams per square meter), have the elastic closure, and a rounded corner for a nice look. They were my daily driver for a long time. But Sketchrite, why are you basically advertising moleskine sketchbooks on a site that sells sketchbooks? I'm doing so for a few reasons. One, there isn't one sketchbook that's perfect for every situation. Two, they've been an important part of my artistic life for a long time and I would be doing a disservice not to mention it. And three, they're one of the most expensive sketchbooks out there. I've gone through so many that it's been putting a hole into into my wallet (that's one of the reasons why Sketchrite came to be - a cheaper sketchbook meant for practice, not perfection. So then, why are sketchbooks so expensive?

Sketching Outside
Sketching Outside

So then, why are some sketchbooks expensive?

  • Premium Paper. The more expensive a sketchbook is, the more likely you're using better paper. Artists know they need quality, acid free paper with additional features (like pockets) to keep you coming back for more. Some artists like smooth paper, or bristol board, or cardstock.
  • Branded. Sketchbooks like moleskines and illo sketchbooks are expensive because they've got a name brand attached to them.
  • The way they lay. Most soft and hard cover books (including Sketchrite sketchbooks) use a "perfect binding" method that looks clean, but doesn't allow for pages to lie flat. For artists, sometimes this can get in the way of their sketch. Sketchbooks like illo's (depending on what you buy) lie flat, which, on the surface, seems like it can help a lot - but for artists and designers like me, who hate the aesthetic and the getting-in-the-wayness of a wire-bound sketchbook, I actually prefer perfect binding - the experience of looking at your work once the sketchbook is done is the best-in-class experience out there, and fit neatly on your bookshelf, unlike wire-bound, which is clunky and leaves a lot of dead space.
  • Paper Color. Some sketchbooks are plain old white, while others use a darker grey paper. Sketchrite's sketchbooks are cream colored, with white layouts coming soon.

Making the right choice for you

Look, I'm going to be completely honest with you - there is no straight answer for which sketchbook you should buy. There are countless options out there. Is there a perfect option for you? Maybe, maybe not, and the only way you're going to know for certain is to go out, buy and experiment with whatever you can find. Honestly, in the end, you might just find that printer paper is best.

Maybe you want one that isn't just completely blank - maybe you need something that helps you with notes for science class, or that can assist you in writing comics. That's why Sketchrite came to be. I wanted to a sketchbook that fit the criteria for what I needed. It's cheaper than a Moleskine or an Illo and much, much more versatile. So, why are sketchbooks so expensive? Answer: They don't have to be. Check out Sketchrite's sketchbooks to find something that's perfect for your needs.