If you are buying a reusable notebook for the first time, a few things work differently than you are used to from paper. Nothing complicated, but useful to know in advance so you do not get any surprises. This article sets out the 10 most important practical things about reusable notebooks, and specifically about a MOYU made from stone paper. We write this honestly: also about what does not work or where you might run into issues.
We at MOYU write this because we often get the same questions from customers in the first weeks. By putting everything in one place we hope you can get started faster, and email customer service less for basic questions.
On a reusable notebook only an erasable pen works. At MOYU that is the MOYU pen or a Pilot FriXion (available in 0.5 or 0.7 mm). A regular ballpoint will write but will not erase. Highlighters, fountain pens and thick markers do not work or stain. Always start with the MOYU pen that ships with the notebook, and buy refills when it runs out.
Unlike with a fountain pen, ink on stone paper dries quite fast, about 10 seconds at room temperature. For left-handers this is a relief: your hand can safely move over the text by the time you write the next word. For people who type or write very fast: let a word sit for a moment before rubbing over it.
To erase you use a lightly damp microfiber cloth (included in the MOYU package). Wipe gently over the text and the ink disappears. A dry cloth does not work well (ink stays). A too-wet cloth is not necessary either (gives streaks). Damp like a freshly rinsed dishtowel is ideal.
For those who have used a FriXion pen before: that works by friction (heat) on regular paper. On stone paper the system works slightly differently, with a damp cloth. Not by friction alone.
The erasable ink is heat-sensitive. In normal use (on your desk, in your bag, outside on a normal day) this is not a problem. But do not leave your MOYU:
The ink can fade unintentionally. Good news: write over it and the older text returns once it cools. But it is better to prevent it.
Stone paper itself is completely waterproof. You can hold it under a tap, leave it in the rain, transport it in a wet bag, the paper itself does not deform. Once the ink is dry (see point 2) it stays even underwater. For people who write in the rain (construction site, field research, on the water): this is a serious advantage over traditional paper.
Do make sure the cover (often hardcover) dries normally after submersion. The paper itself is no problem, the cover edge can absorb some moisture.
In our own tests a page lasts up to about 500 erase cycles before we see first signs of wear. In practice almost no one reaches this number during the notebook's lifespan. What you can see after a lot of use is light graying or a shadow of earlier ink in the spot where you wrote most. That is normal wear, not a defect.
Main trade-off of a reusable notebook: what is erased is gone. For notes you want to see later, scan before erasing. How:
Make it a habit: at the end of a work week or project, scan and erase. Not the other way around.
MOYU has three page types. Which you choose depends on your use:
If you are not sure what fits, build your own MOYU at moyu-notebooks.com/shop/build-your-own, with a mix. Many people choose 50% lined and 50% dotted, or 1/3 of each.
The MOYU pen has refillable ink. When empty, replace the insert (available in our webshop). The pen itself lasts indefinitely. Store the pen upright (tip down) if not using for long time, that keeps the ink in the right place.
The included microfiber cloth can simply be washed in the washing machine (40 degrees, no fabric softener). When full of ink, rinsing once under the tap already helps a lot.
The notebook itself requires no specific maintenance. Store at room temperature, do not leave in full sun, no extreme heat (see point 4). For the rest it is robust enough to be carried in a bag daily.
A few common situations:
Almost always heat-related. Did you leave the notebook in the sun or near a heater? Just write the old text again. For future use: avoid hot spots.
Sometimes a light shadow or stain remains. Try a lightly damp cloth with a drop of dish soap. Do not scrub, gently wipe. If that does not work, that is surface wear, fine to keep working with.
First: is the ink empty? Shake the pen firmly with the tip down to remove air bubbles. If still not working, the refill is probably used up. Order a refill in our webshop.
Annoying but solvable. Try a lightly damp cloth with dish soap. If that does not work, the writing stays visible. A paper sticker over it or skipping that page are options.
What we hear back most often: people who use their reusable notebook most are those who put it somewhere they see it every day. A notebook in the closet you forget. A notebook on your desk, next to your keyboard, or in your daily bag you pick up automatically. Try to choose a fixed spot in the first weeks where it lives. After that it goes naturally.
No. The paper itself is waterproof, but the cover and the glued binding are not. For cleaning: damp cloth, optionally with dish soap. Do not submerge, do not put in washing machine.
Typically 3 to 5 years with regular use. Pages last up to about 500 erase cycles per page. What usually wears first is the cover (from daily transport) or the pen refill, not the paper itself.
Yes. The paper is fully moisture-resistant. Altitude does not change anything about the material or the ink.
Yes, but remember: what the other person erases is gone. For group use, digital or a paper notebook is often more practical. For lending to one person who uses it carefully: no problem.
Order a new one in our webshop, or use a Pilot FriXion (sold at most office supply stores) as bridge. Both work on stone paper.
Fading is unusual. What sometimes does happen is a light shadow of earlier ink remains. That is surface wear and does not affect new ink. With strong fading: contact our customer service.
Never. The MOYU pen needs no maintenance. If it no longer writes, the ink refill is empty. Replace it.
The material is recyclable as stone paper (back to pellets for new stone paper). In the Netherlands there is no consumer collection stream yet, the Stone Paper Alliance is working on that (target 2027). Currently you can return used notebooks to our factory for processing, or keep them until a local stream exists.
A reusable notebook is not a complicated product, but it works slightly differently than regular paper. The biggest adjustment is not in the writing or erasing itself (you adapt within a week), but in the habit of scanning before erasing. If you master that, you get the most out of a reusable notebook: a physical book that lasts years, plus a digital archive of everything that mattered.
More questions? Our FAQ page is full of answers, and for specific situations you can always email our customer service.