Clairefontaine Graf it 90g sketch pad

Posted: March 7th, 2010 | Author: Thomas | Filed under: Ink & stationery, Reviews of all kinds | 6 Comments »

The Clairefontaine “Graf it 90g”

 

1) Model & specifications

 

 

The Graf it series of sketchbooks come in various sizes and all feature the same crisp sketching/drawing paper with a matte texture and feel, no vellum here, but more on that later!

 

Basic specifications;

 

• Sketch pad.
• 160 pages.
• 80 sheets.
• 90g weight.
• Pure white paper.
• A6 / 10,5×14,8cm

 

2) Size, Feel & Appearance

 

The size is fantastic and as usual, well thought out from Clairefontaine, perfect size to just throw in your bag on your way to art class or your local café!

It features the similar physical style as the Rhodia in terms of design and construction but I am sorry to say it has none of the sex appeal. None.

The front cover imagery is quite simply horrendous, while I know that its a sketch pad and not a fashion accessory I still like to have a glimmer of pride when whipping out my new sketchbook instead of giving it an awkward glance and preemptively apologizing to onlookers while defending it by stating it has great quality paper.

Its just a stupidly childish design and what irks me the most is that Clairefontaine can produce pads in the style of Rhodia that exude class and sex appeal from every glossy fiber but apparently it was too difficult to reproduce for the Graf it line?

So let me break down what I don’t like aesthetically;

 

Above is the color of the cover, as close as I can get it.

What the hell Clairefontaine?

Even a neutral black would have been better than this awkward monstrosity.

Mauve? Pshh.

Secondly, the cover’s texture is not glossy and sexy like the Rhodia pads, instead it is a semi gloss/luster finish that just annoys me, just make your mind up!

Its also extremely bad when it comes to spills, while it wont absorb liquids as quickly as a pure matte texture its still not easy to wipe off like a full gloss one.

And finally I just hate the cover design.

You know what Clairefontaine?

I will design the next covers free of charge (I want unlimited supplies of your products however!) and I am 99% confident it will end up looking better than 5 pencils in some weird gauche photocopier style on a mauve back drop.

Just disappointing really, because I know they are a company that can produce some incredibly stunning stationery products with simply superb aesthetics, just look at the Rhodia, Quo Vadis etc. lines if you don’t believe me!

3) Features

 

 

The Graf it sketchpad has pretty much the same features as the Rhodia pads since construction is near identical (from what I can tell).

2 staples utilized instead of 1 does not warrant a huge paragraph! The features are clever and work well for their intended purpose from the pre-fabricated creases in the cover to the easy rip perforated pages it works well and effortlessly.

I like.

Check out my review on the Rhodia Bloc for more info and photographs on similar features!

4) Writing Performance

 

 

 

I tested it with a bunch of different writing mediums as per the usual with all my paper based reviews and as expected with a Clairefontaine product only the permanent markers bled-through.

Very impressive but not unexpected, frankly with Clairefontaine’s (well deserved) reputation I wouldn’t expect anything less.

 

 

This is the paper magnified by roughly x20, this was NOT easy to achieve so please take a moment to appreciate it.

 

Thanks.

 

The paper is completely matte and I hazard that it would be quite good in a watercolor role based on its sheer weight and texture, whilst dragging pencils across it I felt a degree of resistance that isn’t entirely unpleasant and while I am used to silky smooth Rhodia paper I have to admit I found myself enjoying the sudden change.

While it proves adequate for writing its true strength shines when sketching.

 

 

In a sketching capacity the paper really takes a life of its own and I find myself really impressed, specially with sanguine oil pencils and charcoal (2 mediums I am very fond of)!

 

5) Conclusion

 

 

To be honest I am torn, as people know by now I don’t write the usual boring reviews, I will touch on the good points and bad points with nothing but what I feel is brutal honesty and a heavily opinionated (and slightly wordy) slant.

Yes I got this stuff free from Exaclair but I assure you I am anything but a mindless shill.

I love art and I love stationery and I strongly believe I would be doing the community & Exaclair a great disservice if I didn’t touch on the negative points.

It does however mean that when I gush on the positives, its truly what I believe and not mindless “it was free so I like it”.

Case & point; the Rhodia pad, I truly love it compared to this one.

With the Graf it I am just ambivalent, I love the paper for sketching but I cant get past the stupidly ugly design, its just not chic, stylish or trendy.

Clairefontaine is 90% function and 10% passion, I love buying the products because they function flawlessly and look great doing it.

I don’t think the Graf it series represents Clairefontaine in that respect, its branding reminds me of nameless office brands which is sad when you take into account how superb the paper is in its intended role.

So what to do?

I think I will either relegate this to my desk and never let it be seen in public or I will make a cover for it that it truly deserves.

I have settled on a new cover, will keep you updated!

Thanks Karen @ Exaclair for providing those samples for review & please note that I am serious about redesigning the covers .

This review took me forever to do based on the color being impossible to photograph properly so thanks for reading it.

 

A+

 

---