14 Sept 2012

review: paperchase diary refill

Here is the promised review of the Paperchase 18 month organiser refill. This is what the pack looks like: 


Now for the main part of the review. I will start by showing you what this pack consists of. These following pictures haven't been colour edited so that you can see the true colour of these inserts. They are a standard white but the paper thickness is better than the Filofax white paper.

First, a personal data sheet. It doesn't cover as many bases as the Filofax version (as that has sections for a National Insurance number, driving licence number, passport number, etc) but it is definitely functional the way it is. 


The tabs that come with this insert.

Though arguably not as 'sophisticated' as the Filofax tabs, these are still pretty and 'young' looking so would appeal to
the younger audience of organiser users.
Next up, some calender refills. There was one for 2012 and also one for 2013.


Further to this, there is no need to buy any year planner inserts as these are also included (see on the right):


As if I needed more confirmation that these inserts were for students, there are timetable inserts too:


And yet another year planner (seriously?! How busy do they think students are?! But to be fair, at Imperial College, they do work you like dogs, hmm....):


And the diary inserts themselves!


At the back, name and address inserts:


Spare ruled notepaper:


More notepaper, but this time squared:


Pink coloured notepaper (I really wanted to steal this but I just couldn't bring myself to!):


And finally, blue coloured ruled notepaper:


Before I embark on an evaluation of these inserts, here is an example of the paper quality. My sister wrote some stuff in using a standard 0.5mm Muji gel pen and here is how it looked. There was no feathering or bleeding and the paper does seem to be of a decent quality!


And a close-up of how it looks on the other side. Minimal show-through!


Honestly? I think Paperchase are onto a winner here. If they bring out their own diary inserts in a cotton cream colour, I think I'll be onto these like a dog is onto a bone. The paper quality is excellent for the price and what you get for the price is extraordinary! It cost my sister £5 for this pack and to be honest, that is a complete and utter bargain when you consider how much all this would cost if you were to buy it from Filofax (remember that diary inserts, tabs, address inserts, spare notepaper, year planner inserts are all sold separately).

Have you ever tried these Paperchase inserts?

17 comments

  1. WOW! Im so tempted by this, like you say, all in one! I HATE the fact I have to pick thro filofax and remember everything! I also like the fact it has lots of different calendars, I find that mine get too full up so this will serve different purposes. I also love the squared notes as well as normal nots and the timetable will be useful for work! Do you know if this fits into a filofax? Or do yuo have to buy paperchase's version? xxx

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    1. The price is so good that it's tempting me too! But not for 2013 I don't think as I want to try another brand's :) This one fits into 'personal' sized Filofax organisers so you don't have to buy a Paperchase organiser (that is, unless you want one) x

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  2. I love the Paperchase note paper. I wrote blog post about it http://withindreamswelive.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/filofax-paper-alternative.html it's not as in depth (pen tested) as yours but I always buy there paper nowadays.

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    1. Ooh just had a look :) I'm not too seduced by the design of Paperchase inserts, but the price is definitely tempting me ;) x

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  3. I really wish you could buy the tabs separately, I love their tabs. I also have tons of their squared paper they sell separately.

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    1. I wish they did a bigger range! I'd love to see what they could come out with and all priced reasonably too x

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  4. I don't think I would try them. Nothing about these make me say oohhh or ahhhh. Besides the prices, I do love the cotton cream inserts (Dividers, loose leaf paper, week on two pages, etc) that Filofax carries. It's much more nice looking I think :)

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    1. I know what you mean. But for the price, they are functional and are decent enough. I, too, share your love of the cotton cream inserts - that's why I bought some A4 cream paper so I can make my own inserts instead of shelling out a fortune each time I run out of notepaper x

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  5. Also I like the amount of space at the top of the pages to put notes like 'Frikkin' frikkin' freshers' week'.
    Ahem.

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    1. Filofax notepaper also has a large space at the top ;) but price-wise, these definitely win hands down x

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  6. I think paperchase are onto a winner here, I'd buy myself a pack but I recently bought a personal red metropol (college + samaritan work + webdesign + job hunting/ucas was just too much for my finchley pocket! :c) and it came with a full 2013 diary. looks lovely though :)!

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  7. I just bought these for my compact portobello for £4 and they really good quality.
    I do think they're overly student-y because of all the year planners,
    but I don't mind at all considering what you get for the money.
    Am I the only person who doesn't like cream inserts ? ? ? >.<

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    1. I agree with you - they market these as mid-year onwards diaries and the design is kinda basic - so I do agree that they are aimed more at students than professionals. However, the price is very good and anyone can make them work so that's a major selling point.

      And I think you might be ;) quite a few people like the cream ones because of the better paper quality and the sort of 'superior luxe' feel about them. Each to their own I guess :) x

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  8. I'm a new Filofax-er, and bought these a few months back to use for my Apex, and bought their blank sheets & lined papers for my Adelphi too. I love them! But I had some trouble with the lines, I felt like I didn't have enough space to write in for each day, so last week I switched to the Filofax week on two days inserts. I feel less restricted by lines now, but I'm still not sure which I prefer yet.

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    1. I know what you mean - the rule is quite wide. It's ok if you don't tend to have busy days but if you do tend to fill your days - not so good! x

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  9. Your birthday was a couple of days after graduation? What a neat present!

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