Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you're choosing your first journal, curious about our craftsmanship, or waiting for an order to arrive, you'll find answers to our most frequently asked questions here.
If you can't find what you're looking for, we'd be happy to help. Feel free to reach out through our contact page and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
Orders & Shipping
How long does production take?
Ready-made journals are typically packed and shipped within 3-5 business days. Personalized, bespoke, and restoration orders typically require 2-3 weeks of production time, depending on the complexity of the project. Estimated timelines will always be communicated before we begin.
Do you ship nationwide?
Yes. We currently ship throughout the Philippines through trusted courier partners.
Do you ship internationally?
We are currently exploring international shipping options. If you're located outside the Philippines, please reach out through our Contact page and we'll see what arrangements can be made.
How can I track my order?
Once your order has been dispatched, you'll receive a tracking number via email so you can follow your journal's journey to its new home.
Products & Craftmanship
What makes Telapapel journals different?
Telapapel journals are thoughtfully handcrafted in the Philippines using carefully selected materials and traditional bookbinding techniques. We believe a journal should be more than just paper and cover, it should become a trusted companion for your thoughts, creativity, and memories.
Are all journals handmade?
Yes. Every journal is handcrafted in our studio. Because each piece is made by hand, slight variations may occur and are considered part of the character and uniqueness of your journal.
Why does my journal look slightly different from the photos?
Many of our journals use patterned fabrics. Because fabric is cut individually, the placement of illustrations, motifs, and patterns may vary from journal to journal. This makes every piece uniquely yours.
What materials do you use?
Materials vary depending on the collection, but commonly include premium linen fabrics, specialty textiles, bookbinding boards, and carefully selected writing papers. Product pages will contain detailed material specifications whenever possible.
What paper do you use in your journals?
Our journals, planners, and notebook refills are made using carefully selected premium papers chosen for their beautiful feel, writing experience, and longevity.
We are currently transitioning from our previous 100 gsm Premium Ivory Paper to our new 115 gsm Premium Heavyweight Paper. With its ultra-smooth finish and excellent opacity, it offers a beautiful writing surface that feels substantial in your hands while working beautifully with a wide range of writing instruments, including pencils, gel pens, and fountain pens.
The new paper also reflects our care in choosing materials with environmental considerations in mind. It is FSC Certified, meaning the paper comes from responsibly managed forest sources. It is Elemental Chlorine Free, acid-free, and recyclable, and is manufactured without heavy metals such as mercury and lead.
Its acid-free, neutral-pH composition also helps preserve the paper over time, allowing your writing, sketches, and memories to stay with you for years to come.
As we make the transition, some of our journals may still use our previous Premium Ivory Paper while others already feature our new Premium Heavyweight 115 gsm Paper. You can find the exact paper used for each product in its product listing.
We choose our papers with the same care we give to every part of our journals because the stories you write deserve a beautiful place to live.
Fountain Pen Compatibility
Are Telapapel journals fountain pen friendly?
Yes. Our standard journals and notebook refills are designed to work well with fountain pens and most everyday inks. Our new 115 gsm Premium Heavyweight Paper has an ultra-smooth surface and excellent opacity, making it a lovely choice for fountain pen writing. In our experience, most nib sizes from Extra Fine (EF) to Broad (B) perform beautifully under normal writing conditions, with little to no bleed-through. Some ghosting may still occur depending on the nib, ink, and writing pressure.
Specialty inks with heavy sheen, dramatic shading, or other unique properties may appear differently depending on the paper. For those who love seeing every detail of their inks, we also create special journals using Tomoe River S, a paper particularly loved by fountain pen enthusiasts for its ability to showcase ink sheen, shading, and color variation. These special journals are released exclusively during the Manila Pen Show, typically held once a year around March.
As we transition between our previous Premium Ivory Paper and our new Premium Heavyweight 115 gsm Paper, we recommend checking the paper specifications on each product listing for the exact paper used.
Will fountain pen ink bleed through the pages?
With our 115 gsm Premium Heavyweight Paper, most fountain pen users should experience very little to no bleed-through under normal writing conditions. Very wet inks, broad or flex nibs, permanent inks, and heavy ink application may still cause ghosting or occasional bleed-through.
We recommend writing with a light hand. Excessive pressure, especially when the nib leaves a deep impression on the paper, can increase the likelihood of bleed-through regardless of nib size.
If you're using particularly wet or specialty inks, we recommend testing them on a back page first to find the combination that works best for you.
What fountain pen nib sizes do you recommend?
Based on our experience, Telapapel's premium writing paper performs well with most fountain pen nib sizes, from Extra Fine (EF) to Broad (B), with little to no bleed-through under normal writing conditions.
Can I use markers, brush pens, watercolor, or alcohol-based markers?
Most Telapapel journals are designed primarily for writing and light sketching.
Water-based brush pens, watercolor, and fineliners typically perform well in our paper with little to no warping.
However, alcohol-based markers and heavy mixed-media applications may bleed through the pages. We recommend testing on a back page before extensive use.
Journal Care
How do I care for my linen journal?
Linen is a beautiful natural fabric that develops character over time. With proper care, your journal can accompany you for many years.
- Keep away from prolonged moisture and humidity.
- Avoid direct sunlight for extended periods.
- Store in a dust bag or protective sleeve when traveling.
- Handle with clean, dry hands.
- Remove dust gently using a soft dry cloth or lint roller.
- Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals or abrasive scrubbing.
Like a favorite book or well-traveled notebook, your journal may develop subtle signs of use over time. We believe these marks become part of its story.
Workshops, Bespoke & Restoration Commissions
Do you offer workshops?
Yes. We will occasionally host workshops focused on bookbinding in the near future. Workshops will be announced through our website and social media channels.
Hope to see you there!
Do you offer personalization?
Yes. Selected journals may be personalized depending on the collection. Available personalization options will be listed on the product page.
Do you accept bespoke commissions?
Yes. We offer bespoke journal commissions for individuals, gifts, events, and special projects. You can begin by submitting an inquiry through our Bespoke page.
Do you offer book or journal restoration services?
Yes. Through our Restoration service, we help preserve and revive beloved books, journals, albums, and other bound works. Each project is unique and assessed individually before work begins.
Payments & Returns
What payment methods do you accept?
Available payment methods will be displayed during checkout and includes GCash, Maya, debit cards, and credit cards.
Do you accept returns or exchanges?
Because many of our products are handmade and some are personalized, returns and exchanges are handled on a case-by-case basis.
If your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us within 7 days of receiving your package and we'll do our best to make things right.
Can I cancel my order?
Orders may be cancelled before production begins. Once a personalized, bespoke, or restoration project has entered production, cancellations may no longer be possible.
