How Our Leather Journals Are Handmade in Canada: Behind the Craft
A handmade leather journal should feel like something you’ll use for the rest of your life — not a disposable notebook you replace every year. At Craft & Antler Co., our leather journal covers are made in small batches in Aurora, Ontario, using premium full-grain Pueblo, Crazy Horse, and Japanese Tochigi leather. Each handcrafted leather journal cover is made to order, built to be refillable, and designed to develop a beautiful patina the more you carry it.
In this behind-the-craft guide, we’ll walk you through how our leather journals handmade in Canada are created — from selecting the hide to finishing every edge by hand.
1. Made in Aurora, Ontario — Small Batch and Made to Order
Every leather journal handmade in our studio starts the same way: one order at a time, crafted in our leather workshop in Aurora, Ontario. We don’t mass-produce or pre-build inventory in bulk. Instead, each cover is made to order with a typical lead time of 2–4 weeks, allowing us to focus on clean execution, consistent quality, and thoughtful finishing.
This small-batch approach is what gives leather journals made in Canada their lasting reputation — real materials, real hands, and real attention to detail.
2. Selecting the Best Full-Grain Vegetable-Tanned Leather
The foundation of any artisan leather journal is the leather itself. We work primarily with vegetable-tanned, full-grain hides because they are durable, natural, and designed to age beautifully. We choose leathers from some of the best tanneries in the world for their character, strength, and patina potential.
Pueblo Leather (Italy)
- Matte, velvety texture with visible grain
- Dramatic patina and colour deepening over time
- Perfect for writers who love character and change
Crazy Horse Leather
- Rugged pull-up finish that shows movement and wear
- Scratch-friendly surface that blends into patina
- Ideal for everyday carry and travel journaling
Japanese Tochigi Leather
- Traditional veg-tan with a refined, smooth feel
- Ages into a warm, soft sheen
- Great for minimalists who want a clean look
These leathers are the reason our covers represent true full-grain leather journal craftsmanship — they are built to last, and to get better with use.
3. Cutting and Shaping Each Journal Cover by Hand
Once a hide is selected, we cut each piece by hand to pattern accuracy. Our leather thickness for journal covers is typically around 3–3.5 oz, giving a balance of structure and flexibility. This thickness protects your notebook while still feeling comfortable in the hand.
We cut, trim, and shape each panel to fit refillable A5 and A6 inserts cleanly, ensuring the cover holds its form over years of daily opening and closing.
4. Stitching for Strength and Long-Term Use
Most of our journal covers are machine-sewn for consistency and strength across daily-use stress points. This allows clean, even seams that hold up under years of carrying, refilling, and travel. For customers who want a traditional artisan build, we also offer custom hand-sewn options on request.
Either way, the goal is the same: a handcrafted leather journal cover that stays tight, secure, and dependable for the long haul.
5. Hand-Burnished Edges with Japanese Tokonole
Edges are one of the clearest indicators of quality. After stitching, every cover is finished with hand-burnishing using Japanese Tokonole — a premium edge finishing compound known for producing smooth, durable results.
This process seals the fibers, strengthens the perimeter, and gives your cover that clean, refined feel you only get from true leather journal handmade construction.
6. Hardware and Final Assembly
Some designs require hardware such as snaps, straps, or closure components. When hardware is needed, it’s set carefully by hand to maintain alignment and long-term durability. We always prioritize function first — closures should protect your notebook and stay reliable through daily use.
7. Fit Testing with MUJI A5 and A6 Inserts
Because all our covers are refillable, sizing precision matters. We test and build around Muji A5 and A6 inserts to ensure a snug, clean fit that stays secure while still being easy to refill. If you use other standard A5 or A6 notebooks, they’ll typically fit well too, but Muji is our baseline for accuracy.
This refillable structure is a key reason customers choose our covers instead of bound journals — your leather cover lasts for decades, while your paper refills as often as you want.
8. Quality Check and Preparation for Shipping
Before any cover leaves the studio, we review stitching consistency, edge finishing, leather surface quality, and overall fit. Because full-grain leather is natural, each cover has its own grain and markings — that individuality is part of what makes a handmade leather journal special.
Once approved, your cover is packed and shipped as a finished heirloom-grade tool, ready for daily writing and a lifetime of patina.
Explore Our Handmade Leather Journal Covers
If you’re looking for a journal companion that lasts, ages beautifully, and supports your writing life long-term, we’d love to craft one for you.
Browse our handcrafted leather journals made in Canada
Shop A5 leather journal covers
Shop A6 leather journal covers