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Plotter Alternatives, Part 3

Posted in Paper

Bible and Narrow Alternatives

Welcome back for part 3 of this series. If you haven’t read part 1, I’m sharing alternatives to the Plotter system. If you want the full explanation, I suggest you read that post. You can also review the A5 alternatives.

For this post, I’m addressing both Plotter’s Bible and Narrow sized binders because they are so similar in size. There is a 3mm difference in height between them, and an 11mm (0.43in) difference in width. The paper is similarly close in size, with no difference in height, and 15mm (0.59in) difference in width. You can easily use either size’s paper in the other size’s binder without any problems.

To make things even more confusing, the Bible and Narrow sized binders are smaller (both in height and width) than average A6 binders. However, the same sized Plotter papers are significantly taller than A6 — more in line with B6 paper — while narrower than both A6 and B6.

PaperB6A6 RefillBibleNarrowA6
Height176mm171mm170mm170mm148mm
Width125mm98mm93mm78mm105mm

And, if that isn’t confusing enough, when I researched A6 refill paper to compare ring hole placement, I discovered they aren’t actually A6. I looked at 30 different refill paper lists across the first five pages of Google results. The listings were on Etsy, Temu, Amazon, and a few small business websites. They average paper size across all 30 listings — all labeled as A6 paper — was 171mm by 98mm. The width varied more, between 83mm and 112mm. The height varied between 170mm and 175mm. Regardless, they were all decidedly NOT A6 in size or aspect ratio.

Since you can use A6 refill paper in the two Plotter binders without folding or cutting and Bible and Narrow paper would fit in A6 binders, that’s what I’m using for comparison.

With all of that out of the way, let’s dive into the A6 alternatives.


Recap

Depending on what, specifically, interests you about the Plotter system, some of the options listed below may be of more interest to you than others. To help you figure out which, if any, to look into, I’ve included some specific information:

  • Ring Size: Where available, I’ve included the ring size. I don’t know if the measurements are internal diameter or external diameter.
  • Sheet Capacity: Where available, I’ve included the sheet capacity so you can get an idea of ring size if that measurement isn’t available. For reference, the Plotter binders have 0.4in/~10mm rings and hold ~ 80 sheets of paper.
  • Compatibility: I’ve included what paper each alternative is compatible with — Plotter/standard 6-ring paper, standard 20-ring paper, etc. To determine likely compatibility with Plotter paper, I overlaid Plotter paper on the base paper in Photoshop. Both images are at their full millimeter footprint, so I can see if the holes line up. This isn’t a 100% guaranteed method, especially as I couldn’t find a perfect “top-down” view of every type of paper. However, it should be close enough to suit our purposes.
  • Split Rings: I’m also including whether a binder has split rings in the “interests overview” section for each binder.

Plotter Binder Specifications

BinderBibleNarrow
Price$119 – $189 USD$109 – $175 USD
Height7.09in (180mm)6.97in (177mm)
Width4.5in (115mm)4.1in (104mm)
Depth0.6in (15mm)0.6in (15mm)
Ring Size0.4in (11mm)0.4in (11mm)
Sheet Capacity8080
Paper Size6.7in × 3.7in (170mm x 93mm)6.7in × 3.1in (170mm x 78mm)
CompatibilityStandard 6-ring paperStandard 6-ring paper

Compatible paper is available for both Bible and Narrow sizes in plain, 2mm grid, 5mm dot grid, 6mm lined, and to do list memo pads; and monthly and weekly diary layouts. A Bible size-compatible memo pad is also available in drawing paper.

Accessories for both sizes include “project managers“, ruler pad, and lifters with penholder or elastic band options.


Alternatives: ⇣ Abigale Crafts | ⇣ Cocoa Paper | ⇣ Filofax | ⇣ Mogoostry| ⇣ Plepic | ⇣ Raymay | ⇣ Wanderings

Abigale Crafts Cloth Binder

Interests Overview

☒ Leather cover
☒ Small ring size
☑ Plotter paper compatibility
☑ Split rings

Binder Details

There aren’t many details for this cloth binder. However, since it’s a wrappable cloth cover, you can likely wrap it tighter to a Narrow size or leave it looser to the Bible size. It’s about 15mm taller than both, and doesn’t have a slim profile, especially given the various inside pockets on the front and back.

Standard “A6” refill paper lines up perfectly with Plotter Bible paper. As the listing implies that it works with standard A6 6-ring refills, it should be compatible with Plotter paper.

standard A6 6-ring paper overlaid on Plotter Bible sized paper

As an Etsy hand-made product, there aren’t any brand name papers or accessories. However, it fits standard 6-ring A6 refill paper, and there is a listing for binder refills, with A6 listed as 171mm x 94mm. Compatible hole punches are available.

This cover is specifically on Etsy, from seller ABIGALECrafts

Specifications

Price: $18.61 USD
Binder Height: 7.68in (195mm)
Binder Width: Not available, but 13.19in (335mm) laid completely open
Binder Depth: Not available
Ring Size: 0.79in (20mm)
Sheet Capacity: Not available
Compatibility: Accepts any standard 6-ring A6 refill paper

Alternatives: ⇡ Abigale Crafts | ⇣ Cocoa Paper | ⇣ Filofax | ⇣ Mogoostry| ⇣ Plepic | ⇣ Raymay | ⇣ Wanderings

Cocoa Paper Personal Planner

Interests Overview

☑ Leather cover
☒ Small ring size
☑ Plotter paper compatibility
☑ Split rings

Binder Details

Yep, Cocoa Paper again. The Cocoa Paper binders aren’t slim, they have 1in (25mm) rings. But, they do have the separated rings and are available in “croc” texture or untextured leather and faux leather in a myriad of colors. Best of all, you can customize your binder with one of several add-ons ranging from $1.99 to $12.95:

  • Personalization with a monogram or logo
  • Closure type change
  • Additional pockets
  • Hardware color change
  • Elastic pen loop
  • Contrast stitching
  • Scallop edge spine detailing
  • Accent color
  • Spine widening up to 3in (760mm)
  • Carry handles
  • Wrist strap
  • Fabric lining
  • Elastic closure

It’s also worth mentioning that you can contact Cocoa Paper through Etsy to request a custom order.

As Cocoa Paper binders are supposed to be compatible with standard A6 6-ring paper, they should work with Plotter A6 paper.

Cocoa Paper does not currently sell any loose-leaf paper, nor do they have any paper compatible with their Personal size binders.

Cocoa Paper also does not have any accessories meant for use with their binders, but compatible hole punches are available.

I only found Cocoa Paper binders on their website and Etsy shop.

Specifications

Price: $38.95 – $47.95USD
Binder Height: 7.6in (195mm)
Binder Width: 5.5in (140mm)
Binder Depth: Not Available
Ring Size: 1in (25mm)
Sheet Capacity: Not Available
Compatibility: Appears to accept any standard 6-hole A6 paper, including Plotter paper

Reminder, I own a Cocoa Paper notebook cover, and it still looks almost new after two years of daily use.

Alternatives: ⇡ Abigale Crafts | ⇡ Cocoa Paper | ⇣ Filofax | ⇣ Mogoostry| ⇣ Plepic | ⇣ Raymay | ⇣ Wanderings

Filofax Personal Organizer Series

Interests Overview

☑ Leather cover
☒ Small ring size
☑ Plotter paper compatibility
☑ Split rings

Binder Details

The Filofax Personal Organizer series definitely does not have a slim profile, but it does come in both genuine and faux leather covers — although, some of their binders are just as pricey as Plotter. They also have the separated rings, and, as benefits, come in a myriad of colors and include some paper and accessories.

Filofax Personal size paper lines up well enough with Plotter A6 paper to lead me to believe they are compatible.

Plotter Bible paper overlaid on filofax personal paper

Brand-name paper options are so numerous, I can’t list them all individually. There are the ruling basics, including white plain, pastel and patterned plain, pastel grid, dot grid , and lined (ruling heights not specified). The English-only layouts — there are multilingual versions — include daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly diary layouts; activity or meal planner; expense, projects & goal, or wellness tracker; finances; to-do lists; password keeper, contacts, and “computer” paper (whatever that is).

Brand-name accessories include rulers that double as bookmarks, inserts with attached sticky notes, dividers, A-Z dividers, portable hole punches, business card and credit card sleeve sheets, zipper pouches, flyleaves (Filofax’s version of Plotter’s lifter), and top-loading pouches (basically sheet protectors).

I found the Filofax Personal Organizers at the Filofax website, of course, but a quick Google search revealed so many purchase locations — including Amazon — that I suggest running a search yourself to see if your favorite online shopping location has it.

Specifications

Price: $46.75 – $280 USD
Binder Height: 7.28in – 7.91in (185mm – 201mm)
Binder Width: 5.125in – 6in (130mm – 152mm)
Binder Depth: 1.38in – 1.6in (35mm – 40mm)
Ring Size: 0.9in – 1.18in (23mm – 30mm)
Sheet Capacity: 180 – 220
Compatibility: Standard A6 6-ring paper, including Plotter paper

Alternatives: ⇡ Abigale Crafts | ⇡ Cocoa Paper | ⇡ Filofax | ⇣ Mogoostry| ⇣ Plepic | ⇣ Raymay | ⇣ Wanderings

Mogoostry A6 Retro Leather Travelers Binder

Interests Overview

☑ Leather cover (faux)
☒ Small ring size
☑ Plotter paper compatibility
☑ Split rings

Binder Details

I like that this binder (available in cyan and brown) has a different style of closure — wrap around with a button and elastic cord. They are pretty slim at 20mm, and have the leather look, so they answer a lot of the Plotter interests.

They are compatible with standard 6-ring A6 refill paper, so they should be compatible with Plotter Bible or Narrow paper.

I don’t know if Mogoostry is actually the brand that manufactures this binder, but some A6 paper is available through their Amazon store. The paper is available in plain black, grid, dot grid, and ruled (ruling height not available), and to do list.

Accessories available on their Amazon store include dividers, zipper pouches, sheet protectors, dividers with pockets, and rulers. Compatible hole punches are available.

I found this binder on Amazon.

Side note: These binders are also available in an equivalent to Plotter Mini size

Specifications

Price: $13.69 USD
Binder Height: 7.32in (186mm)
Binder Width: 3.62in (115mm)
Binder Depth: 0.79in (20mm)
Ring Size: Not Available
Sheet Capacity: Not Available
Compatibility: Accepts any standard 6-ring A6 refill paper

Alternatives: ⇡ Abigale Crafts | ⇡ Cocoa Paper | ⇡ Filofax | ⇡ Mogoostry| ⇣ Plepic | ⇣ Raymay | ⇣ Wanderings

Plepic A6 Binders

Interests Overview

☒ Leather cover
☒ Small ring size
☑ Plotter paper compatibility
☑ Split rings

Binder Details

Plepic offers several standard A6 binders, although some are labeled “planners.” The only difference seems to be whether the binder comes with planner inserts. I will note, however, that only the binders lists a ring size — and only some listings include depth — keep that in mind when looking at the measurements I’ve listed below. The rings are not particularly slim, but they are separated; and the binder styles are cute and fairly unique — including one that looks like a clutch purse.

Plepic paper, while larger than Plotter paper, aligns perfectly with it, so you should be able to use them interchangeably.

Plotter Bible paper overlaid on Plepic A6 paper

Brand-name refills are limited to paper with index tabs at the top, but are numerous in styles. To make the list easier to read, I’m bulleting it.

  • White: plain, 3.5mm and 5mm grid, dot grid (height not specified), 7mm and 8mm ruling, Cornell layout, sectioned, book list, culture & place, travel (in South Korea and world wide variants), and daily, weekly, monthly, and project planning
  • Green: 4mm grid, 5mm dot grid, 6mm lined, and weekly expense
  • Peach: 4mm grid, 5mm dot grid, 6mm lined, and weekly tracker
  • “Natural”: 5mm dot grid, 6mm lined, wongoji, and weekly to-do
  • Misc: plain pink, plain mango (orange), lovely board, and square board

Brand-name accessories include sticker sheets, zipper pockets, bookmark rulers, hole protectors, keychain sticky notes, leather tab stickers, and numerous sticky notes pads with unique designs and layouts. Compatible hole punches are available.

I found Plepic products on Mochi Things, Etsy shop DubuDomo — although the brand name is not listed — and Etsy shop Stationery Manor. Plepic also has a Naver store — which had the widest selection — but I believe you’d have to use a proxy to purchase.

Side note: Plepic also has A5 6-ring binders

Specifications

Caveat: As Mochi Things is the only site that lists measurements, they are the site I used to complete the details below.

Price: $29.95 – $65.95 USD
Binder Height: 7.68in – 8.66in (195mm – 220mm)
Binder Width: 5.71in – 6.1in (145mm – 155mm)
Binder Depth: 1.18in (30mm)
Ring Size: 0.94in (24mm)
Sheet Capacity: 100+
Compatibility: Standard A6 6-ring paper, including Plotter paper

Alternatives: ⇡ Abigale Crafts | ⇡ Cocoa Paper | ⇡ Filofax | ⇡ Mogoostry| ⇡ Plepic | ⇣ Raymay | ⇣ Wanderings

Raymay Bible Size Binders

Interests Overview

☑☒ Leather cover
☑ Small ring size
☑ Plotter paper compatibility
☑ Split rings

Binder Details

Like Plotter, Raymay calls their A6ish sized binders Bible size. They seem to have two major groups of A6ish sized binders; one is expensive (in the $120 range) with genuine leather, the other is in the $45-$60 price range. All of them have fairly slim, separated rings.

Amazon has the Fujii Refill File in orange and pink that has a large pocket along its back to hold larger items and the Keyword dual ring binder that has two sets of A6 8mm rings — though perhaps not technically an A6 size itself. The Raymay website has several other A6 size binders but they are only available in Japan, unless you use a proxy service.

Raymay Bible size paper aligns perfectly with Plotter Bible size paper, so you should be able to use them interchangeably.

Plotter Bible paper overlaid on raymay Bible paper

Band-name refills come in several colors:

  • Cream paper: plain, 5mm and 6mm grid, 5mm lite grid, 5mm and 6.5mm lined, note paper with margin, trifold 5.0mm lined, 2 daily schedule layouts, 4 weekly schedule layouts, 2 monthly schedule layouts, monthly planning layout, checklist, customer profile, word book, meeting summary, ID/password memo
  • White paper: plain, 5mm grid, 6.5mm lined
  • Colored Paper (blue, pink, and yellow): plain, 5mm grid, 6.5mm lined
  • Bamboo paper: 5mm dot grid, monthly schedule, weekly schedule
  • Notebook: 5mm grid, 5mm and 6.5mm lined

Brand-name accessories include a leather divider with pen loop, a plastic divider with pen loop, a plastic divider with ruler, a “task finder” — linked because I don’t know how to describe it — and associated cards, several varieties of card holders, a ruler bookmark, tab bookmarks, several varieties of zippered pouches, a sleeve-protector pocket, dividers with tabs on the side or top, hole protector stickers, a guide protector — Raymay’s version of Plotter’s lifter — and a plastic envelope. Compatible hole punches are available.

I found Raymay Bible size binders at Amazon and Yoseka Stationery. I found Raymay Bible size refills at Amazon, Yoseka Stationery, and JetPens.

Specifications

Price: $45.00 – $120 USD
Binder Height: 7.09in – 7.87in (180mm – 200mm)
Binder Width: 4.17in – 5.04in (106mm – 128mm)
Binder Depth: 0.63in – 1.1in (16mm – 28mm)
Ring Size: 0.31in – 0.59in (8mm – 15mm)
Sheet Capacity: Not Available
Compatibility: Standard A6 6-ring paper, including Plotter paper

Alternatives: ⇡ Abigale Crafts | ⇡ Cocoa Paper | ⇡ Filofax | ⇡ Mogoostry| ⇡ Plepic | ⇡ Raymay | ⇣ Wanderings

Wanderings Personal Size 6-Ring Binder Planner

Interests Overview

☑ Leather cover
☒ Small ring size
☑ Plotter paper compatibility
☑ Split rings

Binder Details

Wanderings offers several other refillable notebooks, although the only other binder is A5 size. This is one of the few true alternatives to the Narrow size Plotter binder. However, it doesn’t seem to have a slim profile, as the binder comes with 100 sheets of brand-name paper. You do get real leather and separated rings, though.

According to the Wanderings website, their binders are compatible with standard 6-ring A6 refills, including Filofax, so they should be compatible with Plotter Bible and Narrow papers. I imagine those papers would be rather tight, however, as there would only be an 8mm clearance, perhaps less at the center of the binder ring.

Brand-name paper is available in plain, dot grid, ruled (ruling height not provided), and annual calendar packs with monthly and weekly layouts. Compatible hole punches are available.

There do not appear to be any brand-name accessories.

I found Wanderings binders on the Wanderings website and on Amazon.

Specifications

Price: $29.99 USD
Binder Height: 7in (178mm)
Binder Width: 4in (102mm)
Binder Depth: Not Available
Ring Size: Not Available
Sheet Capacity: 100+
Compatibility: Accepts any standard 6-ring A6 refill paper

Alternatives: ⇡ Abigale Crafts | ⇡ Cocoa Paper | ⇡ Filofax | ⇡ Mogoostry| ⇡ Plepic | ⇡ Raymay | ⇡ Wanderings

Three down, three to go. Come back tomorrow for part 4 on the mini binder.


What do you think of the Bible and Narrow alternatives? Do you think you might get any of these? Do you prefer the A5 options? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks for reading to the end, I hope you enjoyed my post. Make sure to subscribe to my blog or follow me on Instagram so you don’t miss any posts. I generally post at least once a week.

4 Comments

  1. Michelle
    Michelle

    Okay…
    Please help. I may not be understanding here…
    But, I’m looking for some alternative inserts for the Bible size Plotter binder. I love the binder, and I purchased it at last years’ LA Pen Show. I just don’t know how to make Plotter’s actual inserts work for me… other than the plain papers. I am trying to find other inserts that would fit, and found this series of blog posts. Can you spell it out for me? I must be missing something. 🤦🏻‍♀️

    December 19, 2024
    |Reply
    • I’m not 100% sure what you’re requesting, but hopefully, my answer will help. Plotter Bible size is also compatible with the Raymay Bible size inserts available at Yoseka Stationery. You can also find basic paper (ruled, dot grid, etc.) on Amazon, just search for A6 paper. Be aware that those are almost certainly NOT fountain pen friendly, if that’s important to you.

      If you can’t make pre-printed inserts work for you, I suggest searching for Personal size layouts on Etsy. There are thousands of them, and you can almost certainly find something you’d like, then print them at home on the paper from Raymay or Plotter.

      If even that doesn’t work for you, then you can either work on creating your own in Word or PowerPoint (just make sure you size the paper correctly), or if you don’t have access to Microsoft Office, you can try using Google Drive apps. You can also choose to draw out your layouts as people do for bullet journaling or bound notebooks.

      Best of luck!

      December 20, 2024
      |Reply
  2. LJD
    LJD

    This is a great idea for a series of posts! I have a Raymay Davinci bible sized. I bought it from Yoseka. I like it a lot. I’d resisted buying Plotter mostly because of the floppy sides. The Raymay Davinci bible sized is more compact than Plotter. The small rings do limit how much paper you can have. I use mostly Raymay and Plotter inserts, plus some Life paper that I managed to find on Amazon. From @Fudefan I learned that there are tons of bible-sized inserts with good paper in Japan. I also bought a hole-puncher that more or less works. (I’m trying to use it for note-taking and project management. I still prefer my Hobonichi Weeks for calendar/planner.)

    November 25, 2023
    |Reply
    • Thanks! I just bought a Raymay Mini 5 because I can use other paper. I’ll have to look and see if any Life paper is available in that size.

      November 25, 2023
      |Reply

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