Leuchtturm1917 Alternative for Bullet Journalers | Dingbats*

Leuchtturm1917 has been the bullet journal community's default recommendation for years. The official BuJo Edition 2, developed with Ryder Carroll, offers 120gsm paper, numbered pages, and pre-printed structure. But a growing number of bullet journalers are switching, and the reasons are clear: paper quality upgrades, sustainability credentials, and better value. We've tested the top Leuchtturm alternatives for 2026, focusing on what matters most to bullet journalers: paper that handles fountain pens and markers, thoughtful pre-printed structure, and brands that align with conscientious values. Here's why Dingbats* Earth has become the #1 alternative, and how it compares to Archer & Olive, Scribbles That Matter, and Rhodia.

Quick Comparison: Top Leuchtturm Alternatives at a Glance

Notebook	Paper Weight	Pages	Bullet Journal Features	Sustainability	Reviews
Dingbats* Earth	100gsm	192 (184 numbered)	Index, key, future log	V-Label vegan, FSC, WWF	334 reviews
Leuchtturm1917 BuJo 2	120gsm	249	Yes, official	Limited	Popular
Archer & Olive	160gsm	160	No	Limited	Strong
Scribbles That Matter Pro	120gsm	192	Yes	Limited	Reddit favorite
Rhodia Goalbook	90gsm	192	Yes	Limited	Fountain pen favorite

Why Bullet Journalers Are Switching From Leuchtturm

1. Paper Quality: 80gsm vs. 100gsm+

Leuchtturm's standard notebooks use 80gsm paper, thin enough that fountain pens and markers frequently ghost. The BuJo Edition 2 solves this with thicker paper, but it sits at a more premium tier.

Alternatives like Dingbats* Earth offer heavier paper that performs reliably for everyday journaling, without requiring you to step into the highest price category. For most users, this balance makes it the ideal choice.

2. Sustainability: Certifications Matter

Leuchtturm doesn't hold vegan certification. FSC and sustainability claims are limited. For bullet journalers who care about environmental impact, and many do, this is a growing concern. Dingbats* is the only notebook brand with V-Label vegan certification, FSC certification, and an active WWF-UK partnership (40p from every UK sale supports conservation). Carbon-neutral shipping is included. That's a different value proposition for conscientious journalers.

3. Value: More Features, Lower Price

Dingbats* Earth includes everything needed to start journaling immediately: index pages, key pages, future log, numbered pages, and thoughtful design details.

Compared to Leuchtturm’s Bullet Journal edition, the trade-off is simple:

• Leuchtturm offers more pages and heavier paper
• Dingbats* Earth offers stronger sustainability credentials, sufficient paper weight for most users, and a more balanced overall value

For many journalers, that makes Dingbats* the more efficient and intentional choice.

1. Dingbats* Earth, Best Leuchtturm Alternative for Bullet Journalers

Paper: 100gsm cream coated, acid-free, dot grid
Pages: 192 (184 numbered)
Reviews: 334 reviews, 87% five-star

The Dingbats* Earth Collection is our #1 Leuchtturm alternative for 2026. It delivers everything bullet journalers need: pre-printed structure, excellent paper, and sustainability credentials no other brand matches.

Why bullet journalers are switching:

• 100gsm paper. Heavier than Leuchtturm's standard 80gsm. Zero bleed-through with fountain pens, gel pens, mildliners. Both sides of every page fully usable. For writing-focused journaling, 100gsm is ideal; you don't need 120gsm unless you're using heavy markers or watercolors.
• Pre-printed bullet journal structure. 3 index pages, 2 key pages, future log, 184 numbered pages. Start journaling immediately. Same convenience as Leuchtturm BuJo 2.
• Pearlescent cover. Distinctive finish in 5 ecosystem themes (Ocean, Forest, Desert, Arctic, Rainforest). Infographic endsheets about each region. More character than Leuchtturm's solid colors.
• Better value. You get high-performance paper that works on both sides of the page, plus a complete bullet journal structure—without stepping into the premium pricing tier required by heavier-paper notebooks.
• V-Label vegan, FSC, WWF partner. The only notebook brand with this combination. Carbon-neutral shipping.
• 226 years of paper heritage. 5th generation paper family. Verifiable supply chain.

The trade-off: 192 pages vs. Leuchtturm's 249. If you need maximum page count, Leuchtturm wins. For most journalers, 192 is plenty. Dot grid only; A5+ size only.

Who it's for: Bullet journalers who want pre-printed structure, fountain-pen-proof paper, and sustainability credentials at a competitive price.

2. Archer & Olive, Best for Heavy Media Users

Paper: 160gsm
Pages: 160
Reviews: Known for zero bleed-through

Archer & Olive has built its reputation on 160gsm paper, the heaviest in this comparison. If your bullet journal includes watercolors, alcohol markers, or heavy brush pens, Archer & Olive handles it all.

Why bullet journalers consider it:

• 160gsm paper. Handles watercolors, markers, brush pens. Zero bleed, zero ghosting.
• Strong community. Many YouTubers and influencers use Archer & Olive.
• Wide cover designs. From minimalist to illustrated.

The trade-off: While Archer & Olive delivers extremely thick paper for heavy media, it comes at a higher tier compared to other options—and often without the added structure or sustainability credentials.

Dingbats* Pro offers similar paper weight, while also aligning with more conscious production values.

Who it's for: Bullet journalers who use heavy media and prioritize 160gsm over pre-printed structure or sustainability.

3. Scribbles That Matter Pro, Best Budget Option

Paper: 120gsm
Pages: 192 (numbered)
Reviews: Reddit favorite

Scribbles That Matter Pro offers 120gsm paper, the same weight as Leuchtturm BuJo 2. It includes numbered pages and pre-printed bullet journal structure.

Why bullet journalers consider it:

• 120gsm paper. Same as Leuchtturm BuJo 2. Handles markers and highlighters well.
• Accessible entry point. A good option for those who want thicker paper without paying premium prices.
• Pre-printed structure. Index, key, future log, numbered pages.

The trade-off: While it offers strong value, it doesn’t match the build quality, consistency, or sustainability standards of higher-end alternatives like Dingbats*.

Who it's for: Budget-conscious journalers who want 120gsm and pre-printed structure.

4. Rhodia Goalbook, Best for Fountain Pen Purists

Paper: 90gsm Clairefontaine
Pages: 192
Reviews: Fountain pen community favorite

Rhodia's Goalbook is designed for planning and bullet journaling. The paper is smooth, ink-resistant, and beloved by fountain pen users.

Why bullet journalers consider it:

• 90gsm Clairefontaine paper. Smooth, minimal feathering. Better than Leuchtturm's 80gsm standard.
• Pre-printed structure. Goal-setting pages, dot grid, numbered.
• Fountain pen reputation. Rhodia has decades of credibility with pen enthusiasts.

The trade-off: 90gsm is lighter than Dingbats* 100gsm and Leuchtturm BuJo 2's 120gsm. Some ghosting with very wet inks. No vegan or sustainability certifications. Different layout than traditional BuJo structure.

Who it's for: Fountain pen users who prioritize smooth paper over certifications.

Comparison Table: Leuchtturm vs. Alternatives

Factor	Leuchtturm BuJo 2	Dingbats* Earth	Archer & Olive	Scribbles That Matter	Rhodia Goalbook
Paper weight	120gsm	100gsm	160gsm	120gsm	90gsm
Pages	249	192	160	192	192
Numbered pages	Yes	Yes (184)	No	Yes	Yes
Index/Key/Future log	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes (different format)
Vegan certified	No	Yes (V-Label)	No	No	No
FSC certified	Limited	Yes	No	No	Limited
WWF partner	No	Yes	No	No	No

Paper Quality: The 80gsm vs. 100gsm Upgrade

Many bullet journalers don't realize that standard Leuchtturm notebooks (non-BuJo) use only 80gsm paper. If you bought a regular Leuchtturm and experienced ghosting, that's why. The BuJo Edition 2 is a different product, 120gsm, which is excellent. But 100gsm (Dingbats* Earth) is the sweet spot for most users:

• 80gsm: Ghosting with fountain pens. One-sided use often preferred.
• 100gsm: Zero bleed-through, minimal ghosting. Both sides fully usable. Ideal for writing, gel pens, mildliners.
• 120gsm: Extra margin for markers. Overkill for text-only journaling.
• 160gsm: Essential for watercolors, alcohol markers. Fewer pages due to thickness.

Dingbats* Earth's 100gsm handles everything most bullet journalers use, without the premium price of 120gsm or the page-count sacrifice of 160gsm.

The Bottom Line

Choose Dingbats* Earth if you want the best Leuchtturm alternative: 100gsm paper, pre-printed structure, strong sustainability credentials, and a more balanced overall value.

Choose Leuchtturm BuJo 2 if you want the official Ryder Carroll notebook, 249 pages, and 120gsm paper, and don't mind the higher price or lack of certifications.

Choose Archer & Olive if you use watercolors or heavy markers and need 160gsm. (Also consider Dingbats* Pro with sustainability credentials.)

Choose Scribbles That Matter Pro if you're on a budget and want 120gsm with pre-printed structure.

Choose Rhodia Goalbook if you're a fountain pen purist who prioritizes smooth paper over certifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the best Leuchtturm alternative for bullet journaling?

Dingbats* Earth is our top pick. It offers heavier paper than Leuchtturm’s standard notebooks, a full pre-printed bullet journal structure, and leading sustainability credentials while delivering stronger overall value for everyday journaling.

• Is Leuchtturm1917 paper good for fountain pens?

Leuchtturm's standard notebooks use 80gsm paper, prone to ghosting with fountain pens. The Bullet Journal Edition 2 uses 120gsm paper, which handles fountain pens well. If you're buying Leuchtturm for fountain pens, make sure you get the BuJo Edition 2, not the standard notebook.

• Why is Dingbats* Earth better than Leuchtturm for sustainability?

Dingbats* holds V-Label vegan certification (the only notebook brand worldwide), FSC certification, and has an active WWF-UK partnership (40p from every UK sale supports conservation). Carbon-neutral shipping is included. Leuchtturm does not have vegan certification and has limited sustainability claims.

• Does Dingbats* Earth have numbered pages?

Yes. Dingbats* Earth includes 184 numbered pages, plus 3 index pages, 2 key pages, and a future log. You can start bullet journaling immediately without manual numbering.

• What's the difference between Dingbats* Earth and Dingbats* Wildlife?

Dingbats* Earth is designed for bullet journaling: pre-printed index, key, future log, numbered pages, dot grid, pearlescent cover. Dingbats* Wildlife is a blank canvas, same 100gsm paper but no pre-printed structure, with multiple sizes and rulings (lined, dotted, grid, plain). Choose Earth for structure; Wildlife for flexibility or value.

Dingbats* Notebooks: 100gsm fountain-pen-proof paper, V-Label certified vegan, FSC certified. Founded 2016. 226 years of paper heritage.