Unboxing Sterling Ink 2026: Elegance, Structure & Inspiration

The joy of unboxing a new year

It’s hard to describe the mix of anticipation and delight that comes with waiting for a new planner to arrive. Watching the shipping updates feels like counting down to Christmas morning. When the package from Sterling Ink finally landed on my doorstep, that familiar flutter of excitement returned — the quiet joy before lifting the lid and discovering something beautifully made.

Opening a Sterling Ink box is always an experience. The clean, understated packaging and careful presentation reflect the brand’s philosophy: simplicity wrapped in elegance. Every detail, from the color palette to the texture of the paper, speaks of thoughtfulness. And as I lifted the lid to reveal my two planners — the Common Planner A5 Compact and the Common Planner A5 Mulberry — I was instantly charmed. The moment I flipped through the first pages, I felt that quiet spark of inspiration that only a new planner can bring.

Common Planner A5 – Compact

The Common Planner A5 Compact feels like a small treasure in your hands. Its hardcover fabric surface has a soft texture, paired with gold-stamped details that catch the light in just the right way. The compact A5 size feels perfectly balanced — substantial enough for an entire year, yet light enough to carry.

Inside is the new Tomoe River 52 gsm Sanzen paper, loved for its smooth texture and how beautifully it handles ink pens without bleeding through. Writing on it feels luxurious — every pen stroke glides effortlessly. The planner opens completely flat thanks to its stitched binding, and two satin ribbons mark your place with understated elegance. A slim strap and a small pocket inside the back cover add both function and charm.

The 3.7 x 3.9 mm grid strikes the ideal balance between structure and openness. Each page is numbered, with no holidays or moon phases — just clean, minimal design that leaves space for your own rhythm. With 672 pages and a weight of 624 grams, it feels like a tool made for calm, intentional planning.

Common Planner A5 – Mulberry

The Common Planner A5 Mulberry edition carries a softer tone. Its deep plum PU leather cover is smooth and inviting, with a subtle gold “2026” on the front and spine. It’s a planner that feels both elegant and personal — one that invites creativity and reflection.

Like its compact sibling, it features Tomoe River 52 gsm Sanzen paper — thin, white, and perfect for ink pens. It lies flat when opened and offers a grid identical to the Compact version. With 520 pages and a lighter 438 grams, it’s a perfect choice for on-the-go planning.

The Mulberry tone radiates warmth and sophistication, and the minimalist layout allows your thoughts and notes to take center stage. No distractions, no unnecessary design — just quiet beauty and function.

Why I keep coming back to Sterling Ink

After testing many planner brands over the years, Sterling Ink remains the one I always return to. There’s a special balance between structure and freedom that suits the way I think and plan. Every section is purposeful, yet never overwhelming.

The layout starts with Yearly Calendars, offering a clear yearly overview, followed by a Blank Page Spread for vision boards, notes, or annual intentions. Then come the Goal Breakdown and Quarterly Pages, which I rely on to stay grounded and focused throughout the year. These pages help me set direction and check in on progress without pressure — a rhythm that encourages consistency and reflection.

The Month on Two Pages and Weekly Planning layouts offer flexible structure, and the Daily Grid Pages leave space for free journaling, note-taking, or creative tracking. It’s this thoughtful balance — clarity without clutter — that makes Sterling Ink planners so timeless.

What truly makes them stand out for me, though, is the paper. I write exclusively with ink pens, and this is the only paper that gives me that perfect glide without any bleed-through. Every pen stroke feels deliberate, soft, and smooth.

And this year, I’m especially excited about the note section in the Common Planner A5 Compact. It’s designed in a way that allows me to combine everything I previously kept in multiple planners — all in one elegant book. How I’ll set it up and make it my own, you’ll see in my upcoming video.

A shift toward simplicity

Last year, my planner lineup was extensive — each book had its role. I used Sterling Ink 2025 Yearly Calendars N1 for yearly, quarterly, and monthly planning; a Faith Journal for spiritual reflection; a Makselife notebook for deep work and journaling; a Hobonichi A5 for daily notes; and a Traveler’s Notebook for memory keeping. The system worked — but it also took space, time, and energy.

When I first saw the Common Planner A5 Compact, the idea of simplifying began to take root. Its clean structure and thoughtful layout inspired me to merge everything into one. For 2026, this planner will hold it all — my goals, reflections, faith, and daily structure — everything except memory keeping. My hope is for a more fluid, cohesive system that still keeps the depth and meaning I value in my planning routine.

Looking ahead

After leafing through both planners, I’m left feeling inspired and eager for what’s ahead. There’s something grounding about starting a new year with a clean layout and a fresh mindset — especially when exploring a new way to organize it all. I’m excited to begin using the Common Planner A5 Compact, to test how it holds my entire system within one space, and to see how it supports a more intentional rhythm through the year.

And of course, I’m looking forward to sharing more. In my next post, I’ll dive into a detailed comparison between the Compact and Mulberry versions — how they differ, and what makes each one special in its own right.

For now, I’m simply enjoying that first, quiet joy of unboxing a new planner — and the promise of a year waiting to be written. ✨