Paper Ruling Types in Fashion Notebooks: What’s Common and What to Choose
Wondering what types of paper ruling are common in fashion notebooks? Compare blank, dot grid, graph, and ruled paper—and pick the best format for sketching, flats, and class notes.
If you search “what types of paper ruling are common in fashion notebooks?”, you’ll usually find the same short list: blank, dot grid, graph, and ruled (lined). The “best” ruling depends on whether you’re sketching silhouettes, drafting technical flats, or just taking class notes.
What “fashion notebook” usually means
Fashion notebooks are used for a mix of:
- quick concept sketches
- fabric and color notes
- measurements and proportion checks
- tech-pack-style lists (materials, trims, sizing)
- classroom notes (design history, merchandising, etc.)
That mix is why you’ll see different paper rulings even within the same brand of “fashion” notebook.
1) Blank paper (unruled)
Most common for: gesture sketches, rough silhouettes, creative exploration
Blank pages are popular because they don’t “fight” your drawing. They also scan and photograph cleanly.
Choose blank if you:
- sketch a lot and dislike visible guides
- want full freedom for composition
- plan to overlay tracing paper
If you still want alignment help, dot grid is usually the next step up.
2) Dot grid (dot-ruled)
Most common for: layout sketches, consistent spacing, mixed notes + diagrams
Dot grid is common in fashion notebooks because it supports both drawing and writing without heavy lines. It’s also great for:
- keeping columns aligned (measurements, size charts)
- neat annotations around sketches
- quick grids without the “engineering look” of graph paper
If you’re printing your own, 5mm is a strong default.
- Dot grid (5mm): 5mm dot grid paper
3) Graph paper (square grid)
Most common for: technical flats, proportion work, clean geometry
Graph paper is common in more technical workflows—think straight seams, pocket placement, or repeated measurements. It’s especially useful when your drawings need consistent spacing and right angles.
- 1/4 inch graph: 1/4 inch graph paper
If your work is mainly creative sketching, dot grid often feels less visually “busy” than full graph lines.
4) Ruled paper (lined)
Most common for: class notes, meeting notes, checklists, written planning
Many fashion students carry a lined notebook alongside a sketchbook. Lined paper is better for fast writing, especially when you’re capturing lecture content or doing production planning.
- College ruled notes: College ruled template
Quick picker: which ruling fits your task?
| Your main use | Best ruling | Good backup |
|---|---|---|
| Concept sketching and mood exploration | Blank | Dot grid |
| Fashion drawings + tidy annotations | Dot grid | Blank |
| Technical flats and measurements | Graph | Dot grid |
| Lecture notes and planning | Ruled | Dot grid |
Printing tip (matters more than you think)
Ruling is defined by spacing. If your printer scales the page, your grid and dots won’t be the spacing you expect.
- Select the correct paper size (A4 vs Letter)
- Print at Actual Size / 100%
- Avoid “Fit” and “Shrink” options
If you want a full walkthrough: How to print templates without scaling