If you’re planning to make your own leather journal cover, one of the most common questions is: How much leather do I need for a leather journal cover?
We often see customers purchasing A5 leather panels thinking they’ll be large enough to create an A5 journal or Traveller's Notebook cover, but that’s a common misunderstanding! An A5 leather panel is the same size as an A5 page, not large enough to wrap around it.
Here’s everything you need to know to choose the right size leather, plus our top recommendations for the best leathers for journal making and our ready-to-make artisanal leather journal set.
A5 Leather Panel vs. A5 Journal Cover Size
An A5 journal measures around 14.8 x 21 cm (5.8” x 8.3”), which means an A5 leather panel is exactly the same size.
If you try to make a cover from that, there’s no leather left for:
- The spine of the journal
- Folding edges or seams
- Flaps, closures, or pockets
That’s why we always recommend using a larger piece of leather — so your finished cover fits properly and looks beautifully finished.
If you’re making an A5 or Traveller's leather journal, you’ll need at least an A3 panel or A2 for a trifold.
Bifold vs. Trifold Leather Journal Covers
Bifold Leather Journal Cover
A bifold journal cover folds once down the middle. For an A5 or TN bifold journal, an A3-sized leather panel gives enough space for:
- Front and back covers
- Spine allowance
- Small flaps or inner pockets
Trifold Leather Journal Cover
A trifold design adds an extra flap that wraps around the front and creates a wraparound closure. Because of this extra section, a larger piece of leather is required, usually A2 size for A5 or Traveller's Notebook designs.
Best Leathers for Making Journals
Choosing the right type of leather makes a huge difference to the quality and feel of your finished journal or Traveler’s Notebook.
Here are our top leather recommendations for journal-making projects:
- Country Soft – Supple and flexible, great for relaxed, rustic-style journals.
- Hunter Leather – Distressed and full of character; develops a beautiful patina over time.
- Minerva – Premium Italian vegetable-tanned leather with a rich, natural finish.
- Walpier Buttero – Smooth, firm, and elegant. Perfect for structured, high-end TNs and notebooks.
All of these are easy to cut, stitch, and burnish, and age beautifully with use.
Make It Easy: Our Artisanal Leather Journal/Notebook Set
If you’d like to skip the measuring and cutting, our Artisanal Leather Journal/Notebook Set is the perfect starting point.
Each Set includes:
- A leather panel cut to the correct size for an A5 or Traveller's Notebook
- Pre-punched holes and metal eyelets for easy assembly
- Elastic cord for closure and binding
- Corner radius cut-outs for a professional finish
It’s ready to assemble no specialist tools needed! Perfect for beginners, weekend makers, or as a creative gift idea.
In Summary
If you’re making an A5 or Traveller's leather journal, you’ll need at least an A3 panel or A2 for a trifold.
For a quick, foolproof start, try our Artisanal Leather Journal Set. It comes complete with a pre-cut, pre-punched leather panel, elastic closure, and corner details so you can assemble your own handcrafted leather journal with ease.
And when it comes to materials, you can’t go wrong with Country Soft, Hunter Leather, Minerva, or Walpier Buttero — our most popular choices for beautiful, long-lasting journal covers.
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