Recently I became aware of the Japanese planning system called Plotter.
Plotter is a relatively new analog method that sets out to make daily work streamlined and easily accessible. The system can be a planner, a diary, a notebook, or anything you want it to be really.
The company defines a ‘Plotter’ as “someone who uses their creativity to clear the way to a new future”. So, the product is referred to as Plotter, but so are its users.
Originally released in September 2017 in Japan, Plotter is now available in the United States. Plotter aims to bring about an analog renaissance with their system, which encourages the pen on paper experience. Gotta love that!
Unlike other ring-bound system inserts, Plotter refills are pads which are bound on one edge so you can use them as a notebook. You can start creating continuously without worrying about pages scattering all over the place. The point of doing it this way is that you can always start writing on a fresh page for new ideas, knowing you can remove the pages and organize them later.
A key step to Plotter’s Analog Method involves removing pages from your ring binders when not immediately in use. Some pages could be discarded when the task is complete and no longer needed in your current system. However, some may be ideas or writings that were created on the fly or relating to some future project.
For this Plotter has accessories such as Project Management Folders designed to organize refills by themes, or you can use them as an index. The set consists of six assorted colored folders to group your refills by different topics. You can label each folder with the project name and utilize the to-do list on the back to manage project tasks. A Gantt chart is included to document the progress of each themed project.
Plotter refills come in a variety of options, such as plain paper, 2mm squared grid, 5mm dot grid, ruled, sketch paper and To Do Lists. They also have dated Monthly and Weekly diary inserts if you choose to use your Plotter as a planner (the Diary pages are loose leaf pages and not bound on one side in notebook fashion like the other inserts).
Plotter paper is very nice and fountain pen friendly. The refills are made with DP Paper, an abbreviation for “Designphil Pocketbook” paper. The weight and thickness of each page are reduced specifically to match the slim profile of Plotter binders. The paper holds all kinds of ink with minimal ghosting and almost zero bleed-through. I have used Plotter refills with my fountain pens (typically in EF or F) with great success.
The leather binders are where Plotter really shines. Each binder is made from a single piece of high-quality leather anchored by Plotter’s own original backplates. The result is a minimalistic, portable, and functional leather binder. As opposed to chunky rings where there is the tendency to overstuff or hold things that may not be necessary to the task at hand, Plotter binders all have slim 11mm (0.4”) Krause rings. It is recommended that the binder hold no more than 80 pages of their original DP paper inserts. The binders are extremely flexible and lay flat at more than 180 degrees, making them easy to use in any environment.
Plotter’s slim profile is not only designed for portability, but also designed to optimize the space you can utilize. The company’s philosophy is simple…if you can only put so many pages in your binder, wouldn’t you put more thought into what you really need?
It boasts of Japanese tannery technology that creates a beautiful white “bloom” wax glaze which gradually recedes with use. This leather will transform from a sophisticated misty look to a shiny luster over time. The matte silver backplate is a solid, mature color that complements the beautiful unevenness of the bridle leather. I haven't tried this leather out yet but hope to soon!
What about you? Have you heard of the Plotter brand? What are your thoughts on such a minimalist approach to planning?
Originally released in September 2017 in Japan, Plotter is now available in the United States. Plotter aims to bring about an analog renaissance with their system, which encourages the pen on paper experience. Gotta love that!
Unlike other ring-bound system inserts, Plotter refills are pads which are bound on one edge so you can use them as a notebook. You can start creating continuously without worrying about pages scattering all over the place. The point of doing it this way is that you can always start writing on a fresh page for new ideas, knowing you can remove the pages and organize them later.
A key step to Plotter’s Analog Method involves removing pages from your ring binders when not immediately in use. Some pages could be discarded when the task is complete and no longer needed in your current system. However, some may be ideas or writings that were created on the fly or relating to some future project.
The Plotter Analog System |
For this Plotter has accessories such as Project Management Folders designed to organize refills by themes, or you can use them as an index. The set consists of six assorted colored folders to group your refills by different topics. You can label each folder with the project name and utilize the to-do list on the back to manage project tasks. A Gantt chart is included to document the progress of each themed project.
Plotter refills come in a variety of options, such as plain paper, 2mm squared grid, 5mm dot grid, ruled, sketch paper and To Do Lists. They also have dated Monthly and Weekly diary inserts if you choose to use your Plotter as a planner (the Diary pages are loose leaf pages and not bound on one side in notebook fashion like the other inserts).
Plotter paper is very nice and fountain pen friendly. The refills are made with DP Paper, an abbreviation for “Designphil Pocketbook” paper. The weight and thickness of each page are reduced specifically to match the slim profile of Plotter binders. The paper holds all kinds of ink with minimal ghosting and almost zero bleed-through. I have used Plotter refills with my fountain pens (typically in EF or F) with great success.
The leather binders are where Plotter really shines. Each binder is made from a single piece of high-quality leather anchored by Plotter’s own original backplates. The result is a minimalistic, portable, and functional leather binder. As opposed to chunky rings where there is the tendency to overstuff or hold things that may not be necessary to the task at hand, Plotter binders all have slim 11mm (0.4”) Krause rings. It is recommended that the binder hold no more than 80 pages of their original DP paper inserts. The binders are extremely flexible and lay flat at more than 180 degrees, making them easy to use in any environment.
Plotter’s slim profile is not only designed for portability, but also designed to optimize the space you can utilize. The company’s philosophy is simple…if you can only put so many pages in your binder, wouldn’t you put more thought into what you really need?
- A5 H8.7" × W6.7" × D.6"
- Bible (same as Personal) H7" × W4.5" × D.6"
- Narrow H7" × W3.9" × D.6"
- Mini (6 ring) H5.5" × W3.9" × D.6"
- Mini 5 (5 ring) H4.7" × W3.1" × D.6"
Bible size Liscio leather in Brown |
Bible size Pueblo leather in Beige |
Bible size Shrink leather in Orange |
It boasts of Japanese tannery technology that creates a beautiful white “bloom” wax glaze which gradually recedes with use. This leather will transform from a sophisticated misty look to a shiny luster over time. The matte silver backplate is a solid, mature color that complements the beautiful unevenness of the bridle leather. I haven't tried this leather out yet but hope to soon!
Bible size in Horsehair II leather in Gray |
My Bible sized haul! |
I recently decided to try the diary inserts for 2025 (they sell out FAST!) and intend to set up one of the binders as an EDC to test out the Plotter minimalist method of thinking about planning for. next year. I will keep you posted on how that works out with a follow up post.
What about you? Have you heard of the Plotter brand? What are your thoughts on such a minimalist approach to planning?
I’m a fan of the brand and the simplicity of the products. Unfortunately they are very hard to purchase unless you’re in Japan or North America.
ReplyDeleteThree ring and mini-5 square are two other sizes offered, but these are mainly available in Japan.
Have heard of the brand but as mentioned they are not readily available on this side of the Atlantic but apart from the gorgeous leather binders with small rings in various sizes + all cleverly designed and beautifully printed inserts I am left wondering what really makes them so different to all the other ring binder methods out there??
ReplyDeleteUsing these for few years, Stunning. Minimalistic. Have A5, Bible , Mini , MIni 5. Use them daily. The paper is fantastic, Tomoe River quality as well all the accessories. WHile living in Europe (Prague) I recommend to use mail forwarding services like MyUS or USA2ME. Works great. A bit pricey but well worth it. Amazon Japan also works and sends good to Europe for fraction of a price then bought in the us. I get papers / refils.
ReplyDeleteDo they all have the sharp 'backbar chisel' that 'Flatability' Neal reported with his Mini? That seemed to be very undesirable for something to be carried in a pocket. Neal took a file to his to remove the sharp edges; okay for simple aluminium, but less so for the more 'upmarket' finishes... And, for the price, should not be necessary at all; you would expect perfection.
ReplyDeleteKevin
This post is wonderfully insightful! I appreciate how you delve into the topic and share your unique perspective. Thank you for inspiring your readers!
ReplyDelete