Aside from the usual inclusions such as pens and bookmarks, the latest designs come with calculators and USB flash drives.

The notebooks and pads industry in China continues to grow at a steady pace despite the recent economic downturn and other problems. Nevertheless, makers are keeping prices at competitive levels to retain their market share.

Among the challenges besetting suppliers is the fluctuating cost of raw materials, especially paper and PU, which are used predominantly in production. The implementation of government policies such as the tax rebate cut and last year’s labor contract law are causes for concern as well.

Even with all these hurdles, makers are optimistic. The majority expects steady growth in the next six months. This upbeat outlook is encouraged by strong demand from both the overseas and domestic markets.

To spur interest in the line, suppliers are incorporating features that enhance product versatility. Add-ons include bookmarks, ballpoint pens, pencils and erasers.

Taking functionality a step further, several models now come with rulers, calendars, conversion tables and multiple slots for holding cards or photos. A number of makers have even launched designs with electronic accessories such as calculators and USB flash drives. Further, suppliers incorporate strap or cord closures to secure the notebooks’ leaves.

Meanwhile, in response to heightened demand for safe and environment-friendly products, companies are employing nontoxic materials and surface treatments.

As for pads, colorful and novelty shapes dominate the line. Some feature die-cut patterns and have reusable adhesive strips at the back. A magnet can also be attached to the back cover to allow the pads to adhere to metal surfaces.

In line with the trend for bundled stationery and school supplies, notepad makers are including writing instruments and other accessories in their releases.

Through these add-ons, companies are hoping to keep sales on a growth track, even with US demand continuing to weaken due to the economic slowdown.

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China suppliers of notebooks and pads are emphasizing the use of environment-friendly manufacturing inputs.

For pages, wood-free paper is receiving increased attention. Made of cotton, bamboo, sugarcane and reed fibers, the material helps preserve forest resources as it does not require mechanical wood pulp. The latter is a result of logs or wood chips that are mechanically ground. Moreover, wood-free paper boasts better quality and recyclability than virgin wood pulp versions.

Kraft paper, which is not easily torn, and other recycled variations of the material are also common.
Zhejiang Guangbo Group Co. Ltd, a major industry player, is among the manufacturers of notebooks and pads adopting environment-friendly paper, offering a line with more than 20 models.

The maker utilizes “green” materials costing 5 percent more than ordinary paper, passing on the additional outlay to buyers.

Similarly, Wenzhou Success Group Paper Articles Co. Ltd’s designs with kraft paper for the inner pages are quoted 20 percent higher than versions using virgin paper.

With regard to prints, Wenzhou Success has begun employing soy ink for some of its items.

Made from slightly refined soybean oil mixed with pigment, resins and wax, the material has low levels of VOCs thereby helping reduce air pollution through minimized toxic emissions.

In addition, soy ink aids in recycling paper as it can be removed faster than ordinary versions during the deinking process. The use of this material adds 5 to 10 percent to the price.

Currently, about 5 percent of Wenzhou Success’ output in the line adopts soy ink.

Model: BM001
MOQ: 500 pieces
Delivery: 20 days

Description: Bookmark; metal; zinc-alloy charms

Note: All price quotes in this report are in US dollars unless otherwise specified. FOB prices were provided by the companies interviewed only as reference prices at the time of interview and may have changed. Disclaimer: All product images are provided by the companies interviewed and are for reference purposes only. Those product images featuring products with trademarks, brand names or logos are not intended for sale. We, our affiliates, and our affiliates’ respective directors, officers, employees, representatives, agents or contractors, do not accept and will not have any responsibility or liability for product images (or any part thereof) which infringe on any intellectual property or other rights of a third party.