Handcrafted notebooks for picky clients

Papers a & Tschai customizes leather-bound notebooks for its clients. The notebooks were on exhibit at the Mini Maker’s Market in Anthill Gallery during the Gabii sa Kabilin in May. (CDN/VANESSA LUCERO)

Each leather-bound notebook from Papers & Tschai is made uniquely and often tailor-fit to the person buying it.

Papers & Tschai Handmade Studio is a small shop that specializes in handcrafted, hand stitched, authentic leather-bound notebooks.

Its owner, Charo Lyn Roncesvalles, self-studied medieval stitching as well as other leather handling techniques for her craft.

The business started as a hobby in 2003, after her first baby was born, she said.

She wanted to make her own baby book for her firstborn. When people saw the baby book, they started requesting for their own customized notebooks.

“Material availability is a struggle. I looked for ways to innovate,” she said.

Roncesvalles has one local supplier for leather in Cebu and another in Manila. She had to research on where to source the paper for her notebooks.

Since 2003, she has been selling the notebooks in bulk for corporate clients and individually to clients who want highly customized notebooks.

“Usually I don’t stock items. If people want generic notebooks, you can buy at commercial stores,” she said.

The entire process of ordering and customizing the notebook takes roughly two weeks, depending also on the type of paper that is needed for the notebook, which sometimes may be difficult to find.

“It is a constant interactive process with my clients. I get to know who my clients are as well,” she said.

Because the notebooks are highly customized, the notebooks are sold anywhere between P1,000 and P3,000 apiece.

For bulk orders, the notebooks are priced between P150 and P450 apiece.

Roncesvalles said she has no plans of mass producing her notebooks.

“People want very different things when it comes to notebooks, and a lot of them really do want a ‘one-of-kind’ notebook that reflects their personalities,” she said.

Many clients become very picky about the notebooks they want, which is fine with her, Roncesvalles said.

“You also have to understand that people don’t buy these kinds of notebooks. Some of them buy only once a year, or use it sparingly or usually only for special occasions,” she said.

“So I focused on my niche market instead,” she added.

Papers & Tschai may be found at www.papersandtschai.com, Instagram page papersandtschai, and or www.facebook.com/papersandtschaionline.

Roncesvalles may be reached at [email protected].