On The Paper Trail Episode 20: Pen Shows vs. Stationery Shows (And Back to Japan!)

Since we are once again back “on the trail,” - attending two pen shows in Japan! - we thought it would be fun to talk about pen and stationery shows. Topics include how we prepare for shows as both vendors and attendees, the differences between pen shows and stationery shows/fests, and our own personal tips on how to plan for a show in advance to maximize your experience.

On The Paper Trail: Where You Can Download the Podcast

Get caught up on previous episodes, find out where you can download and/or watch additional episodes, and learn more about what we’re up to! ⁠⁠Check out the main podcast informational page for additional details.

Show Notes and Links

1. TWSBI ECO Pink Lemonade + Bronze Fountain Pens

2. Sticky Notes and Tabs

3. TRAVELER'S Notebooks

4. Kakimori Glass Nibs

5. Ishimaru Color Bar Ink

6. Jacquard Pencil Pouches

7. T.G.S. Pen Show Primer Guide

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. You can also come visit us at our physical stationery store in Nashville, Tennessee.

New Arrivals: Hobonichi Is Here!

They took a bit longer to arrive, but we just received a shipment of 2027 Hobonichi Techo planners in the A5 “Hon” and “Weeks” formats! The Hon is the bound hardback version that does not require a separate cover, while the weeks is the compact planner slim enough to fit in a jacket pocket. Both styles use the ultra-thin Tomoe River Paper that made Hobonichi famous. The Hon features daily, weekly, monthly, and annual formats, while the “Weeks” specializes in, well, weekly planning.

Please note that we are likely not receiving additional colors, sizes, or accessories of the Hobonichi Techo this year - this will be our only shipment and they will be made available in-store and online. Come by our Nashville shop to pick one up in person, this Thursday and Friday from 1-6pm and Saturday from 10am-5pm!

Sunday Reading for November 8, 2026

1. What’s Still “Worth It”? (via Rachel’s Reflections). An interesting look at recent fountain pen price increases, in context.

2. Bloggiversary. Fountain Pen Blog is 10! (via Fountain Pen Blog). Any bloggiversary is a worthy accomplishment now that everything is seemingly moving to social media more and more. 10 years is amazing!

3. Larger Notebooks from My Collection (via Notebook Stories). Do you prefer a smaller notebook or a larger notebook for everyday use? A5 is my personal sweet spot but I occasionally will use a B5 or an A4 - B5 is gaining rapidly in popularity.

4. Leonardo + Stilo e Stile MZ Circus (via Figboot). I enjoy Leonardo pens but I have had a hard time getting behind this particular color and style of acrylic. Tastes vary!

5. Journaling at Yellowstone in Wyoming (via Inky.Rocks). I’m especially interested in travel journaling now that I’m staring down a big trip in three days!

6. 14 Years in the Making (via Fueled by Clouds and Coffee). I should embark upon a quest to complete partially filled notebooks. It might take me 20 years. :)

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Transparent Cloth & Paper Circle Sticky Notes - ballpoints or fineliners only!

In Case You Missed It…

This week was Fountain Pen Day, so all across the internet content took a back seat to what seems like a week-long sale extravaganza. This week I answered a new question in the Ask TGS Series about fountain pen friendly sticky notes. They short version is yes, there are options out there, but you have to temper your expectations, and if you want the ultra thin, moveable sticky notes you will likely have to use some form of oil-based ink.

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Fountain Pen Day Last Opportunities! This Week in the T.G.S. Curated Shop

We launched our own Fountain Pen Day Weekend specials on Thursday, and they will run through 11:59pm CT tonight. Use the coupon code FPDAY10 at checkout for 10% off most shop items (with certain brand exclusions), plus you can participate in a free gift promo if you qualify for free shipping at $75. See Thursday’s post for specific details!

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We had some new arrivals launch this weekend as well! The big announcement is a collaboration with Kaleidocraft Prints on a desktop pen holder in our signature colors, which will hold up to 42 pens/highlighters/markers. Designed specifically around the Zebra Mildliner (41 mildliners plus 1 gel pen for labeling), the Color Vault is compatible with a range of similarly sized writing instruments. We also added a new A5 Slim notebook system from Cloth & Paper, including covers, refills, and accessories such as pouches and sticky notes. Check out these new arrivals and more in each week’s Thursday Drops Post.

Cloth & Paper

Colorverse

Kaleidocraft

TWSBI

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If you enjoy our content (whether here on the main website, Instagram, YouTube Channel or elsewhere), and would like early/extra access to shop releases and special promotions, consider supporting us via Patreon. In addition to exclusive content, Discord access, and online meetups, Patreon supporters have access to one or more initial “practice” episodes of “On the Paper Trail” which have not been publicly released.

Fountain Pen Day Weekend Continues: A New T.G.S. Special in Partnership with Kaleidocraft Prints!

You all know that I love my highlighters, but I have a special fondness for the recently discovered Zebra Mildliners and Pilot Kiri-Na, which have become my highlighters of choice. But which of the 40+ available colors do I keep on hand? Why not all of them! A huge shoutout to the team at Kaleidocraft who agreed to do a special run of their 3D-Printed “Color Vault” desktop pen holder in a special red and black swirled acrylic for T.G.S. We also have a basic black one as well, for those who prefer a more classic look. These will hold 42 pens plus notecards up to A6 size.

While highlighters and pens are not included, we carry an extensive range of Highlighters, Gel Pens, and more that you can use to fill out your Color Vault! You can see these in-store and online today. Our Nashville Shop will be open from 10-5pm.

I’d also like to add a huge shoutout to Derek at dwrdnet, who I believe first came up with the concept for a desktop holder that would house the entire Zebra Mildliner range (or as much of it as we can easily get our hands on here in the States!)

Even Though Fountain Pen Day Was Yesterday, We’re Running Specials All Weekend Both In-Store and Online!

Take 10% off most items in the shop using the code “FPDAY10” at checkout, and you can also take advantage of our tiered bonus promotion on all orders that qualify for free shipping. Check out yesterday’s post for full details! We had a full house all day yesterday, and are looking forward to a fun day today as well. Hope to see you soon!

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We have some fun Fountain Pen Day activities planned in-store all weekend! Please come by! (If you came by yesterday, you know….)

Thursday Drops: All The Fountain Pen Day Weekend Specials! Use FPDAY10 at Checkout Plus Tiered Gifts

Happy Fountain Pen Day! Well, technically Fountain Pen Day isn’t until Friday, but we always run our Fountain Pen Day Weekend Specials from Thursday through Sunday. The following promotions are active through 11:59pm Sunday, November 9. Most items in the shop are eligible for a 10% discount using the “FPDAY10” promo code at checkout. Some brands cannot be discounted per manufacturer’s restrictions, including TWSBI, Roterfaden, Blackwing, and a few others. In addition to the clearance sale and discounts, we’re running our annual tiered gift promotion, meaning that orders exceeding certain thresholds (before shipping and any taxes) will automatically receive a free gift, while supplies last. If a specific giveaway item is sold out by the time you place your order, we will substitute something similar.

• All Orders: Any order placed between now (Thursday, November 5) and 11:59pm on Sunday, November 8, will receive some official Fountain Pen Day swag such as a button or bookmark.

• Orders $75 and above: These orders will receive, in addition to free shipping and Fountain Pen Day swag, either a small sample bottle (either Colorverse, Tono & Lims, or Diamine), a small paper sampler, or an ink swatch book. Giveaway items are assigned randomly and due to expected order volumes we will be unable to guarantee requests.

Please note that the “free bonus gift” offer is online only - while the discount will apply in-store if you mention it at the register, we are running a separate set of in-store bonuses on Friday and Saturday. Be sure to stop in if you’re in the Nashville area!

The Kaweco Supra, in its “extended” mode.

This Week’s New Arrivals and Restocks

1. TRAVELER’S Notebooks. We have Standard and Passport TRAVELER’S Notebooks available, along with most refills and accessories to outfit your notebook as you like.

2. TRAVELER’S Company 2027 Diary Refills and Accessories. This year’s dated diary and planner refills, along with the 2027 accessories, are here! Best of all, we have TRAVELER’S Notebooks to put them in.

3. Roterfaden TGS_25 A5-Slim Taschenbegleiters. I’m taking one to Japan with me next week for the Kobe and Tokyo Pen Shows! (Maybe two - I need something extra to hold all the A5 slim refills I intend to track down.)

4. Diamine Inkvent Calendars. We have the 2027 Inkvent Calendar available, and yes it is eligible for our Fountain Pen Day promotion! Advent Calendar season is upon us….

5. Kaweco Supra Fountain Pens. The Liliput’s grown-up sibling, the Supra shares the same shape AND features a removable extension that allows you to convert the pen from a full-sized fountain pen to a pocket pen and back. Available in brass and stainless steel finishes.

6. Kaweco AL-Sport Piston Filler Fountain Pens. We have the Kaweco AL Sport Piston Filler available in all colors - including the new Bordeaux - and in most nib sizes.

7. Kaweco Lunar Sport Fountain Pens. The latest Kaweco Lunar releases - Shadow Purple and Lunar Light Purple - are in stock. Rollerball, Ballpoint, and Mechanical Pencils are also available.

8. Kaweco Sport Glass Ornament. Each year, Kaweco releases a blown glass holiday ornament in the shape of a fountain pen, and this year’s release is Purple. (To coincide with the Lunar Purple release, perhaps?)

9. Midori Gradation Day Length B6 Planners. These vertical weekly planners feature a gradient page with color that shifts to track the time of day. Available in three colors and the popular B6 size.

10. Midori 2027 Hibino Planners. Don’t let this compact A6 planner fool you! It packs a whopping 700+ pages to allow you to both plan and journal at the same time, with a day to two pages.

Kanmido Coco Fusen Sticky notes are a personal favorite - I brought dozens of styles back from Japan and can’t wait to go scout more!