Field Notes
Field Notes is a Chicago-based stationery brand designing and distributing pocket-sized memo books, notebooks, planners, and accessories — anchored by a quarterly limited-edition subscription ($120/year), DTC e-commerce, wholesale, and custom collaborations for brands and musicians.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Field Notes does
Field Notes is a Chicago-based, privately held stationery brand founded in 2007 as a collaboration between Coudal Partners and designer Aaron Draplin. The company designs, sources, and distributes pocket-sized memo books, notebooks, planners, writing instruments, and complementary accessories, with a portfolio that spans core SKUs (Original Kraft, Pitch Black, Expedition), 70+ quarterly limited editions released since Winter 2008, and themed collaborations with authors, artists, musicians, museums, and government entities (Robert Macfarlane, Stanley Donwood, Wilco, Bon Iver, USPS, L.L. Bean, the National Park Service). Production relies on traditional American printing partners using offset and letterpress techniques on Heidelberg and Komori presses, with soy-based Toyo inks on premium stocks from French Paper Co., Sappi McCoy, Mohawk, and Neenah; the proprietary Futura typeface identity is licensed through Monotype.
The business operates a product-led, multi-channel go-to-market: a year-long $120 quarterly subscription (with international shipping for $45), direct-to-consumer e-commerce at fieldnotesbrand.com, a retail storefront at the Chicago HQ (401 North Racine Avenue), wholesale distribution to stationery/gift/museum/outdoor retailers, and a custom/private-label service for bands, corporate clients, and educational institutions. Pricing spans from $4.95 (single memo book) to $179.95 (Desk Kit), with most quarterly 3-Packs at $12.95–$18.95. Edition sizes range from 500 to 60,000 packs, supporting a recurring collectible flywheel and ongoing subscriber engagement.
Operationally, Field Notes is a lean, bootstrapped business operating under the Coudal Partners umbrella with 1–10 employees and no external venture or private equity funding. Revenue is diversified across thousands of individual subscribers and a long tail of wholesale and custom accounts, with charitable commitments including 5% of National Parks Series proceeds to the National Park Service and ongoing support of the Greater Chicago Food Depository and the American Library Association's Unite Against Book Bans program. The brand explicitly markets itself as '100% A.I.-free,' leaning into analog craftsmanship, American manufacturing, and a strong collector community ('Field Nuts') as its core differentiators.
Field Notes firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Field Notes
- Legal name
- Field Notes Brand
- Website
- https://fieldnotesbrand.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Field Notes is a Chicago-based stationery brand designing and distributing pocket-sized memo books, notebooks, planners, and accessories — anchored by a quarterly limited-edition subscription ($120/year), DTC e-commerce, wholesale, and custom collaborations for brands and musicians.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Field Notes industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Memo Books and Pocket Stationery
- NAICS
- Stationery Product Manufacturing (32223), Book Publishers (51313), Periodical Publishers (51312), Books Printing (323117), Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers (459)
- SIC
- Blankbooks, Looseleaf Binders & Bookbindg & Relatd Work (2780), Pens, Pencils & Other Artists' Materials (3950), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741), Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Stationery & Office Paper Products (notebooks, pads, forms) (IMAMAHAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Calendars, Planners & Organization Supplies Retail (CRALABAJ), Humor, Gift & Specialty Format Books (Journals, Coloring, etc.) (MPAJAAAN)
Keywords
Where Field Notes is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Field Notes business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Quarterly Limited Edition Subscriptions: Year-long subscriptions delivering four quarterly limited editions per year. Subscribers receive early access, 10% discount on extra items, subscriber-only bonus items, and custom-designed shipping boxes. Priced at $120/year in the U.S. with $45 international shipping.
- Direct E-commerce Product Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales through fieldnotesbrand.com. Products include memo books, planners, pens, pencils, leather covers, press sheets, gift cards, kits, apparel, and accessories. Products range from $4.95 (single items) to $179.95 (desk kits).
- Wholesale Distribution: Wholesale channel for retailers. Field Notes products sold through third-party stationery stores, gift shops, museum stores, and outdoor retailers.
- Custom/Private Label Products: Custom memo books and notebooks created for band tours, corporate branding, wedding parties, educational institutions, and other clients. Includes customization services for bulk orders.
- Art Prints and Press Sheets: Sale of uncut press sheets and art prints from limited edition runs. Press sheets sold at $50-$125 each. Flora Art Print Sets at $99.95 (subscribers $69.95).
- Field Notes Brand Books: Reprints and special publications including The Maltese Falcon, A Drive into the Gap, and The Founding Documents (Constitution and Declaration of Independence).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Year-Long Subscription - $120/year |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Quarterly Edition 3-Packs - $12.95-$18.95 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Press Sheets and Art Prints - $50-$125 |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Gift Cards - Starting at $25 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Specialty Kits and Accessories - $24.95-$179.95 |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Wholesale Pricing Available |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels11 records
Field Notes product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Field Notes designs, prints, and sells American-made pocket-sized memo books, notebooks, journals, planners, and related stationery accessories. The portfolio centers on a flagship line of memo books (Original Kraft, Pitch Black, National Parks) plus a recurring program of quarterly limited editions produced in numbered quantities with distinct papers, printing techniques, and artistic collaborations. A year-long subscription ($120) delivers four quarterly editions with subscriber-only bonuses.
Product overview
Field Notes is a Chicago-based stationery company offering a portfolio of memo books, notebooks, journals, planners, and related accessories. The core product line includes Original Kraft memo books and the Pitch Black series, while the Limited Quarterly Editions (70+ releases since 2008) form the premium collectible tier. The brand also produces Field Notes Brand Books (reissues of classic literature), accessories (leather covers, bags, pencil cases), writing instruments (Space Pens, pencils), and decorative prints and press sheets. Products are sold individually, in multi-packs (2-Pack, 3-Pack, 5-Pack, 6-Pack), and as curated kits (Starter Kit, Desk Kit). The company operates on a subscription model for quarterly editions with subscriber benefits including discounts and exclusive bonus items.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Original Kraft Memo Books
Quantifiable outcome
- Students who take handwritten notes are 58% more likely to get A's than laptop typists (across 24 studies)
Companies that use Field Notes
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Field Notes technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Field Notes partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Solemn Oath BreweryminorChicago brewery collaboration producing 'A Charming Beer,' a 'Lawn Chair Ale' specifically made for Chicago. Featured at HQ events and pop-up dinners.
- National Park ServicecoreFive percent of retail and wholesale purchases from the National Parks Series is donated to the National Park Service to help preserve and expand on 'America's Best Idea.' Multiple series editions (A through E) featuring 18 national parks.
- Courtney BarnettminorCustom Field Notes bundles released in conjunction with Courtney Barnett's 'Creature of Habit' deluxe album.
- East Fork PotteryminorCollaboration creating the 'Dreamers' Bundle' and 'Dream Journals' with Asheville, North Carolina pottery studio. Combined Field Notes notebooks with East Fork ceramics for curated gift sets.
- Sony Interactive Entertainment / God of WarminorCollaboration providing insight into development of the God of War: Ragnarök video game. Field Notes documented the creative process and project management approach.
- AllTrailsminorCollaboration with AllTrails featuring contest opportunities for fans to win Field Notes 3-Packs plus AllTrails Pro subscriptions. Joint marketing between the outdoor navigation app and Field Notes' outdoor-themed products.
- BellroyminorPartnership with travel-focused accessories brand Bellroy on the 'Big Travel Prize' contest. Both brands share emphasis on travel and quality goods.
- Robert MacfarlanecoreCollaboration with author Robert Macfarlane, whose book 'Underland: A Deep Time Journey' features Field Notes as his preferred notebooks. Macfarlane documented his underground expeditions using Field Notes. The partnership produced the Underland Edition (FNxRM-01) featuring Stanley Donwood's artwork. A second collaboration followed for Macfarlane's 'Is a River Alive?' book. Macfarlane has written about why notebooks are superior to phones for field research.
- Stanley DonwoodcoreArtist Stanley Donwood, known for Radiohead album art since 1994, collaborated on the Underland Edition. His painting 'Nether' appears on the Underland book cover and Field Notes memo books. Donwood and Macfarlane also published 'Ness' together. The collaboration extended to 'Is a River Alive?' editions.
- WilcominorCustom Field Notes memo book packs created for Wilco, sold at concerts and through band merchandise. Jim Coudal describes himself as a Wilco fan since 1996 and values the band's 'spirit of creativity, exploration, and independence.'
- Bon IverminorCustom Field Notes merchandise packs for Bon Iver tours and fan merchandise.
- Maggie RogersminorCustom Field Notes packs created for Maggie Rogers merchandise.
- Jason IsbellminorCustom Field Notes merchandise for Jason Isbell's touring and merchandise.
- Starshaped PressminorArtist Jen Farrell of Starshaped Press designed the 2026 subscriber box. Chicago letterpress studio creates custom packaging and promotional materials.
- The Graduate HotelsminorPartnership with The Graduate Hotels chain, creating custom Field Notes for the Ann Arbor location and other properties. Features creative collaborations tied to university towns.
- United States Postal ServiceminorOngoing partnership producing commemorative Field Notes products featuring USPS stamps. Products include Charles M. Schulz Peanuts stamps collection and Title IX commemorative sets, each with official First Day of Issue postmarks.
- Field MuseumminorPartnership with the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. The museum is described as 'one of the jewels of Chicago' and a preeminent institution dedicated to science and education.
- L.L. BeancoreField Notes developed an exclusive 3-Pack memo book sold exclusively through L.L. Bean. The collaboration was announced as 'Notes for a Life Lived Outdoors' targeting the outdoor enthusiast market.
- Hamilton Wood Type and Printing MuseumminorPartnership with the Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. The 'Two Rivers' Edition (Spring 2015) benefited the museum. Museum director Jim Moran featured in multiple Field Notes content pieces and retired from the museum in December 2023.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Field Notes competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Moleskine: Moleskine is the iconic premium pocket notebook brand, offering hardcover notebooks, journals, and planners sold direct-to-consumer and through global retail. Field Notes and Moleskine compete directly for the same design-conscious, premium-pricing stationery buyer, with Field Notes positioned as the more limited-edition, American-made alternative.
- Paperage: Paperage is a direct-to-consumer notebook brand offering journals, planners, and notebooks at accessible premium price points via Amazon and its own storefront. Comparable to Field Notes' core memo book business in product and channel, with a similar focus on design and quality paper.
- Baron Fig: Baron Fig is a direct-to-consumer premium notebook brand built around the Confidant and Squire notebooks, with a strong design and community identity similar to Field Notes. Both target creative professionals and stationery enthusiasts with curated SKUs, subscription-like mechanics, and a focus on American/international design sensibility.
- Rhodia (Clairefontaine): Rhodia, a brand of Clairefontaine, produces premium French-made paper pads and notebooks prized by writers and fountain pen users. Comparable to Field Notes in paper quality emphasis and design-led buyer, Rhodia competes in the same specialty stationery channel, including museum and gift store wholesale.
- Leuchtturm1917: Leuchtturm1917 is a German premium notebook maker famous for its numbered pages and dot-grid layouts, directly comparable to Field Notes' Pitch Black dot-graph and ruled memo books. Both serve bullet journalers, planners, and stationery enthusiasts with similar price points and direct-to-consumer plus wholesale distribution.
- Word Notebooks: Word Notebooks is a direct-to-consumer premium notebook brand selling a small, design-forward portfolio of pocket and standard-size notebooks online. It overlaps with Field Notes in target customer, price point, and DTC-first go-to-market, competing for the same analog-writing enthusiast.
Emerging players
- Poketo: Poketo is a design-led brand and retailer of art-driven stationery, desk accessories, and lifestyle goods aimed at creative professionals. It overlaps with Field Notes' design-conscious stationery buyer, particularly in the Los Angeles/creative community, but operates as a multi-brand lifestyle retailer rather than a single-product maker.
- Galen Leather: Galen Leather produces handcrafted leather notebook covers, pen cases, and travelers' notebooks targeted at the premium EDC and analog community. The brand overlaps with Field Notes on the leather cover category (Leather Jacket, Everyday Inspiration) and the same design-conscious buyer, but focuses on leather goods rather than paper.
- Blackwing (California Cedar Products): Blackwing is a premium writing-instrument brand best known for its pencils and erasers, revived from the Eberhard Faber heritage. Comparable to Field Notes' pen and pencil product lines and to its collector/creative community, with similar limited-edition drops and a strong subculture following.
Broad incumbents
- Levenger: Levenger is an established premium catalog and DTC retailer of paper, planners, writing instruments, and reading accessories aimed at professionals and executives. Comparable to Field Notes on premium paper goods and planners, but with a much broader catalog, mature multi-channel presence, and higher price points.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Field Notes social profiles
Digital presenceField Notes financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Field Notes leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Field Notes funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Field Notes M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Field Notes
What does Field Notes do?
Field Notes designs, prints, and sells American-made pocket-sized memo books, notebooks, journals, planners, and related stationery accessories. The portfolio centers on a flagship line of memo books (Original Kraft, Pitch Black, National Parks) plus a recurring program of quarterly limited editions produced in numbered quantities with distinct papers, printing techniques, and artistic collaborations. A year-long subscription ($120) delivers four quarterly editions with subscriber-only bonuses.
Is Field Notes a public or private company?
Field Notes is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Field Notes founded?
Field Notes was founded in 2007. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Field Notes based?
Field Notes is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Field Notes make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Quarterly Limited Edition Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are direct E-commerce Product Sales, wholesale Distribution, custom/Private Label Products, art Prints and Press Sheets and field Notes Brand Books.
Who are Field Notes's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Moleskine, Paperage, Baron Fig, Rhodia (Clairefontaine), Leuchtturm1917 and Word Notebooks. Emerging players are Poketo, Galen Leather and Blackwing (California Cedar Products). Levenger is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Field Notes have an API?
No public API is recorded for Field Notes.
What industry is Field Notes in?
Field Notes's product category is Memo Books and Pocket Stationery. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAMAHAG, Stationery & Office Paper Products (notebooks, pads, forms), with a secondary code of CRALABAJ, Calendars, Planners & Organization Supplies Retail. Its NAICS code is 32223 and its SIC code is 2780.