We live in a world saturated with technology. Our phones buzz constantly with notifications. Cloud storage captures every thought. Apps promise to organize our lives with algorithmic precision. Yet despite this digital revolution, something curious is happening: notebooks are making a comeback.
According to a 2024 survey, 79% of office workers still prefer handwritten notes for retention and focus. Major tech companies—from Apple to Google—are rediscovering the power of analog tools. And for businesses? A branded notebook sitting on a client’s desk, bearing your logo, gets used dozens of times per month. It’s a marketing tool that works in an age when digital ads are ignored in seconds.
This National Notebook Day, it’s worth asking: why do physical notebooks remain essential for modern business success? And more importantly—how can custom branded notebooks give your business a competitive edge?
A landmark study from Princeton University found that students who wrote notes by hand scored better on conceptual questions than those who typed. Why? Handwriting forces slower processing. You can’t transcribe every word, so your brain engages in active synthesis—turning information into your own language.
This same principle applies in business:
A digital notebook lives alongside email, Slack, and social media. One notification, and focus is shattered. A physical notebook is gloriously distraction-free. When your team picks up a branded notebook to jot down ideas during meetings, they’re not tempted to check their email. They’re present. They’re engaged.
There’s something psychologically satisfying about filling a notebook with your own handwriting. It becomes a record of growth, problem-solving, and progress. Employees who use branded company notebooks feel more connected to their work and their organization. They keep them longer. They reference them months later. They even bring them home.
Your company logo on a notebook is quiet, persistent marketing. Consider the math:
Over a year, a single branded notebook can easily generate 500-1,000 brand impressions. Compare that to a digital ad, which is viewed for 2-3 seconds before scrolling past.
When employees receive a high-quality branded notebook, it signals investment in them. It’s not a cheap promotional trinket—it’s a tool they’ll actually use. This builds pride. Your team member walks into a client meeting with a premium notebook bearing your company name, and suddenly they feel like they represent something bigger than themselves.
In a world of digital thank-yous and generic email sign-offs, a handwritten note in a branded notebook stands out. Imagine this scenario:
You’re closing a major deal. The contract is signed. Instead of a generic follow-up email, you hand the client a premium branded notebook with a handwritten note: “Thanks for the opportunity to work together. Here’s to capturing big ideas.”
That notebook will sit on their desk for years. When they consider vendors, they’ll remember the gesture. When they refer your business, they’ll pull out the notebook and tell the story.
Premium Leather-Bound (Best for: High-end clients, executive gifts)
Hardcover with Custom Design (Best for: Team gifts, client appreciation)
Soft Cover with Branding (Best for: Trade shows, promotional giveaways)
Specialty Notebooks (Dotted grids, leather stitching, custom sizes)
At AB Print Group, we’ve worked with hundreds of businesses to create branded notebooks that actually get used. We understand that a notebook is more than a product—it’s an extension of your brand.
Our process:
We’ve created premium notebooks for tech startups, law firms, property developers, and schools. Each project is tailored to represent the client’s brand values and quality standards.
In an age of infinite digital noise, a physical branded notebook is a statement. It says: “We’re thoughtful. We invest in quality. We remember what matters.”
Whether you’re rewarding employees, impressing clients, or building brand visibility, custom branded notebooks deliver results that outlast most marketing initiatives. They’re used repeatedly, shared widely, and remembered fondly.
Ready to stand out with branded notebooks?
We’re pleased to welcome Noel Greaves to AB Print Group as our new Account Manager.
Noel brings over 25 years’ experience in commercial print, including 20 years with Bradford-based printer Kolorco. During that time, he managed everything from short-run digital projects to B2 litho production and helped introduce large format print, expanding the services available to customers.
He joins AB Print Group with deep practical knowledge of print production and a strong understanding of what clients need: clear communication, reliable delivery, and quality that reflects their brand.
A Straightforward, Results-Focused Approach
Noel is known for his calm, organised, and honest approach. He believes projects work best when expectations are clear and communication is direct.
Noel focuses on what will genuinely deliver value. He works closely with clients to understand their objectives and ensures each job runs smoothly from start to finish — particularly when deadlines are tight.
That mindset fits naturally with AB Print Group’s commitment to dependable service and long-term client relationships.
Strengthening Our Team
As AB Print Group continues to grow, bringing experienced professionals into the business ensures we maintain the standards our clients expect.
Noel’s background across digital, litho, and large format print strengthens our account management team and provides clients with additional expertise and reassurance.
Outside of Work
Away from the business, Noel enjoys time with family and friends, keeping fit at the gym, countryside walks, and a wide range of music.
We’re delighted to have Noel on board and look forward to the experience and professionalism he brings to our clients.
We have been working closely with a fantastic local up-and-coming coach operator, Blue Sky Coaches, supplying them with uniforms, stationery, brochures and everything they need to make a thriving business.
Now that we can see a light at the end of the COVID tunnel, Blue Sky Coaches are getting more and more enquiries from people asking when their day trips and holidays will be starting, so they got in touch with AB Print to see what we could do to help protect their passengers and their staff.
They now have a 2021 Day Trip Brochure that is fully coated with an Anti-Bacterial sealer and the handles on the coaches are covered with an Anti-Bacterial laminate, both killing 99.9% of bacteria. The drivers also now have branded face masks to wear and the coach seats are set up for social distancing with PVC signs that can be disinfected with a simple wipedown.
All of these are helping to keep their passengers happy, safe and in the knowledge that Blue Sky Coaches are at the forefront of COVID safety when it comes to Coach travel.
Blue Sky Coaches said:
“Thank you AB Print Group for your support getting us back onto the road, as we get ready for welcoming back our customers and for the safety products you have supplied, we are excited to be back on the road again, safe in the knowledge that you have helped us do everything we can to ensure the health and safety of our staff and passengers.”
If you’d like to find out more about how we can help protect your customers, contact us today.
Here at AB Print, we produce all our printed signage products in-house, meaning we can control the quality of the finished product and you benefit from quicker turnaround times.
With a range of print services and specialist equipment all under one roof, our experts are also on-hand to help you choose the right solution when it comes to printed signage.
We can supply signs and banners in various materials including metal Alupanel signs along with foamex, corex, and PVC (Vinyl) too, all depending on the specific needs of your project and your marketing message. We can also supply custom printed mesh banners as well as traditional banners with eyelets for hanging and displaying.
With so many materials and signage printing options available, our signs and banners can be made for indoor usage as well as outdoor. All are printed on our wide-format presses with colour-fast inks, meaning your signs will last for years and not fade in sunlight.
With AB Print, you’re getting a complete service with everything you need to get your message seen. Not only do we print signage, but we can also even come and fit them for you too.
Please contact us today to discuss your own signage print requirements. We can help you through every step of the way with expert solutions.
At AB Print Group, we’re always on the lookout for new print processes and services that will enhance our products and customer offerings. In 2021, we know that one major concern when it comes to getting your new corporate brochures and literature printed is how you can prevent the spread of bacteria.
We aim to make sure you can still share your marketing messages effectively without compromising on quality and whilst still staying safe and protecting your staff and customers. That’s why we’re incorporating our innovative antibacterial and antimicrobial print processes to create your new 2021 print marketing literature.
Biomaster is proven to limit the spread of bacteria, adding an anti-microbial spot UV finish to your print materials whilst enhancing the design quality and adding that superior finish. Biomaster doesn’t affect the quality of the print product, meaning you can still get the desired impact with your corporate brochures and print media with an added line of defence against harmful bacteria.
If you’re looking for a matt or gloss laminate finish for your print marketing, we can now add an antibacterial litho print sealer, ideal for adding that extra infection barrier to your brochures and presentation folders for the intended lifetime of the product whilst still retaining excellent print clarity and product durability.
Our Antimicrobial sealant can be applied to all types of paper and board, meaning you can be confident that every page of your brochure is protected and scientifically proven to reduce the spread of germs by 99.9%
If you’re not sure which antibacterial print service you need, please get in touch with the team at AB Print for further information and advice on your 2021 print requirements.
Keen to help charities wherever possible, AB Print were thrilled when approached to help a local fundraising group who were hoping to raise vital funds for the region’s independent cancer charity.
The Huddersfield-based Volunteer Group had previously seen great success with their first publication of ‘That was Delicious’, but with it having been thirty years since that release, they thought it the perfect time to create a brand-new book.
AB Print were asked to produce this new recipe book, which is a follow-on from the first book, called ‘That was Delicious – a Second Helping!’. The book is filled with over 50 recipes from all the volunteers, their families and their friends. The group were looking for a company who could create quality which would be second to none, therefore highlighting the illustrations by Linda Downs, a Kirkburton-based artist.
When asked what prompted the release of the second cookbook, Jane Dutton, Chairman of the Huddersfield Volunteer Group said, “It was always our intention to produce a second recipe book, but it took the weeks and months of lockdown to spur us into action.
We are delighted to launch ‘That was Delicious – a Second Helping!’ and all money raised from the sale of our books will help to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer right across Yorkshire.”
If you know someone who is a keen cook or baker, that would love to get their hands on some family recipes, you can buy a copy of the book on the Yorkshire Cancer Research website. Depending on COVID restrictions, you may also be able to grab a copy at the charity shops in Knaresborough, Northallerton and Tadcaster. Alternatively, you can order a book directly from the volunteer group on 01423 501 269.
After having seen the success that AB Print has had with Christmas printing services in the past, we were delighted when The Air Ambulance Service approached us for assistance on their 2020 Christmas Campaign.
The Air Ambulance Service were in need of Advent posters, which would be used to advertise their shops were (hopefully) soon to be open for business! Having designs at the ready and with sign off from their team, we went into production with the posters as soon as the news broke that shops could reopen on 2nd December.
During production, we printed A1 posters, A3 and A5 strut boards, all with silver latex over the message for added effect and also printed the all-important number on top of the latex too. On the long-awaited day, Wednesday 2nd, each charity shop had its own package delivered to them, ready and festive for the re-opening.
Throughout the process, AB Print worked with Abby Davies, who is the Brand Manager of the Air Ambulance Service. When receiving a package herself, Abby got in touch to say, “It looks brilliant, I’m so impressed with how they’ve turned out – so thank you so much!”.
If you’re looking for some Christmas cards or stocking fillers this year, and would like to donate to this worthwhile cause at the same time, you can browse their online shop.
Here at AB Print, we love Christmas, as it gives us a chance to give back to charity and provides us with the opportunity to show off some of our greatest printing services.
We’re delighted to have recently had the opportunity to support the Motor Neurone Disease Association, helping them to create and print a limited edition set of Christmas cards inspired by ex Leeds Rhinos player Rob Burrow and the Leeds Rhinos Foundation.
The exclusive set of four cards pictured, were drawn by Robs three children Macy aged 8, Maya aged 5 and 1 year old Jackson Burrow. An initial batch of 1,000 of the cards sold out within hours of being released on the MNDA website. Lifetime supporter of Leeds Rhinos and owner of AB Print Alan Williamson, recognising the popularity and demand for the cards, donated a further 1,000 sets to help boost the fund raising activity on behalf of the charity.
Everyone at AB print wish Rob, his family and colleagues every success in their future fundraising activities.
We do what we can throughout the year to work with companies that accomplish great work, so when charities come to us looking for advice on how to help create awareness and there is an opportunity for us to help, we will always do what we can. Regardless of what the end product may be, we always find it a huge pleasure to be asked, whether locally or nationally.
Following their great success with the 2019 calendar, we were delighted to once again be invited by the Yorkshire Down Syndrome Group to help design their 2020 calendar. Designing a bespoke product for a client is always made easier when we are provided with such great content. The charity is a group based in Batley, and supports those with Down Syndrome, their families and carers by holding fortnightly meetings.
When asked why the charity chose to work with our company again, Clare Ellarby, one of the founding members of the group stated that “The team at AB Print are so enthusiastic and always offer great advice, helping us turn our ideas into reality”.
On each page of the calendar, there are incredible and inspiring images, making the calendar completely unique, which is a fantastic selling point. The new release has been a huge success in helping to raise funds for the group. Believe it or not, after the great outcome of 2019 to 2020, our team here are already looking forward to starting work on next year’s edition, as well as a range of promotional products and clothing all produced in-house.
If you work with or know a charity that is in need of some promotional material or printing, please do get in touch and we’d be more than happy to assist.
We are incredibly lucky to have recently worked with the well-known company, Fenwick & Sons. Fenwick were in need of some new packaging for their Traditional Range, which needed to be able to comfortably hold four bottles, each bottle needing a viewing window to display the company branding. The packaging needed to be easy to carry and hold the bottles in place once opened, keeping a good level of presentation, making it a perfect gift for friends or family.
Showing off the name and brand within this packaging was particularly important as the company has a prominent influence in the industry, having been established since 1885. The company has a rich history, having begun when Mr Thomas Fenwick began making soft drinks at a small plant on Roker Avenue, in Sunderland. Mr Thomas was supplying to local shops and pubs during this time, using a similar sales model to Coca-Cola and Pepsi Cola in the USA.
Most drinks sold at the time were well-known family favourites, such as lemonades, Ginger Ale & Soda Water. The North East in particular also had a penchant for Sarsaparilla and Dandelion & Burdock, which Fenwick saw as an opportunity, making their own products which became incredibly popular.
Back in the 1880s, there were no automatic filling machines, but as time and technology progressed, by 1900 the ‘Codd’ bottle was introduced, which used a marble in the bottleneck, leading the bottle pressure to force a seal. As the business was doing well, Fenwick moved to an old bakery premises within the grounds of the family home, an old Victorian ‘Villa’ in 1910. This later became the inspiration for the company trading name Villa Drinks.
Fast forward to the 1960s, and the now-branded Villa Drinks began marketing their brands in the North East, often using TV advertising to increase awareness. The following two decades saw the company expand rapidly, requiring many factory extensions. Affectionately known as ‘Villa Pop’, the Fenwick’s family drinks were becoming a household name.
In 1982, Villa drinks was now that large it was relocated to a new purpose-built 3.5-acre site in Southwick, Sunderland and started production in 1984. Later in 1990, the company marked another milestone, sinking its first borehole on the site so that spring water could be sourced locally.
During the 1990s and into the 2000s, the Fenwick brand name continued into new formats including large PET and glass. The glass format became one of the early drivers of craft soda in the UK. Since 2013, The Fenwick’s and Villa drinks brands have been owned & distributed by Drink Natural Ltd. The ranges are still made to a classic Fenwick’s recipe with no artificial preservatives, colours or sweeteners. Each drink has a beautiful balance of flavours, rich with history and authenticity. In 2020, the James Fenwick’s Mixers range was launched and is the latest addition to the drinks range.
To find out more, please call, email or send our enquiry form. We look forward to speaking with you.
