Support Local: Top 10 Canadian Stationery Brands to Love in 2025

Support Local: Top 10 Canadian Stationery Brands to Love in 2025 - PleaseNotes

With recent shifts in U.S. tariffs greatly impacting Canadian Stationery brands, there has never been a better time to celebrate homegrown talent. Supporting Canadian stationery brands not only saves on costs, it also fuels entrepreneurship, sustainability, and creativity right here at home.

With the new tariffs in place, many makers have effectively lost access to their U.S. market overnight. For some, that means their clientele has been cut in half, or more. These aren’t big corporations. They’re small, independent brands run by passionate entrepreneurs who put their heart into every journal, planner, and pen.

From curated boutique shops to affirmation-filled journals, these makers are proving that Canada’s stationery scene is thriving, thoughtful, and endlessly inspiring. Whether you’re a student, professional, or simply someone who loves a good notebook, this list of the top 10 Canadian stationery companies offers something special for every desk.

 

10 Canadian Stationery Brands to Love in 2025

 

1. Take Note Pens & Stationery Inc.

Take Note is a modern stationery boutique in Toronto that celebrates the art of writing, design, and everyday creativity. Known for its carefully curated collection, the shop brings together premium pens, journals, greeting cards, and lifestyle accessories from beloved international brands as well as local Canadian makers. What sets Take Note apart is its emphasis on quality and joy—shopping here feels like rediscovering the magic of paper and pen in a digital age. It’s the perfect place to find unique gifts or elevate your daily writing rituals.

Specialty: Curated premium pens, journals, greeting cards, and lifestyle accessories from global and Canadian makers.

Website: https://takenotestore.ca

 

2. Hemlock & Oak

Hemlock & Oak is a proudly Canadian brand crafting eco-conscious planners, notebooks, and accessories with minimalist design and mindful intention. Every product is designed and manufactured in Canada using sustainable paper, vegetable-based inks, and ethical production practices. Their planners are loved for their clean layouts and focus on intentional living, helping users align their goals with their values. Rooted in mindfulness and sustainability, Hemlock & Oak proves that beautiful stationery can also reflect a commitment to the planet.

Specialty: Eco-conscious planners and notebooks designed and manufactured in Canada with sustainable materials.

Website: https://www.hemlockandoak.com

3. PleaseNotes

Founded by Cheryl Sutherland, PleaseNotes is a Black woman–owned stationery brand that turns personal growth into a daily practice. Each product—whether it’s a guided journal, affirmation card deck, notepad, or sticky note—is infused with uplifting affirmations and exercises to help people build clarity, confidence, and self-trust. Inspired by Cheryl’s own journey of transformation, PleaseNotes has become a go-to brand for those seeking meaningful tools for reflection and growth. Beyond stationery, the brand fosters a movement of empowerment, inclusion, and joy.

Specialty: Affirmation-filled journals, planners, notepads, and gifts that help people build clarity, confidence, and self-trust.

Website: https://pleasenotes.com - Use the Code "IAM" for 15% off your first purchase

 

4. Do Good Paper Co.

Do Good Paper Co., based in the Greater Toronto Area, is an independent stationery brand devoted to creating beautiful, functional, and ethical paper goods. Their journals, notebooks, and planners are designed with simplicity and elegance, making them perfect companions for creative writing, professional note-taking, or mindful reflection. The brand name says it all: every collection is created with a sense of purpose and a commitment to encouraging people to do good, feel good, and spread positivity.

Specialty: Elegant, ethical journals, notebooks, and planners created to inspire creativity and mindfulness.

Website: https://dogoodpaper.co

 

5. Laywine’s

Since 1987, Laywine’s has been a Toronto institution for lovers of fine writing instruments and stationery. This family-owned business curates a sophisticated selection of pens, notebooks, and leather goods from around the world, while also supporting Canadian makers. Stepping into Laywine’s feels like entering a sanctuary for those who treasure the written word. With decades of expertise and an unwavering passion for craftsmanship, Laywine’s remains a trusted destination for stationery enthusiasts who believe quality never goes out of style.

Specialty: Fine writing instruments, premium stationery, and leather goods curated with a luxury focus.

Website: https://laywines.com

 

6. Maylay Co.

Maylay Co., founded by Toronto entrepreneur Michelle Tran, blends sleek modern design with approachable luxury. Known for their high-quality journals, notepads, and productivity tools, Maylay Co. focuses on creating stationery that feels as good as it looks. Their soft-touch covers, smooth pages, and thoughtful layouts are designed to inspire intentional living and daily creativity. Loved by those who appreciate elegance in simplicity, Maylay Co. has quickly become a rising name in Canada’s stationery scene.

Specialty: Sleek, minimalist journals and productivity tools blending modern design with approachable luxury.

Website: https://maylayco.com

 

7. The Female Founder Journal by Pearl Spark Pages

The Female Founder Journal, created under Pearl Spark Pages, is a guided journal designed specifically for women entrepreneurs, leaders, and creatives. Unlike traditional notebooks, this journal features structured prompts and exercises that help women set goals, track progress, and celebrate milestones along their entrepreneurial journey. It is a tool that blends personal reflection with professional planning, offering women a space to dream, strategize, and recognize their growth. By highlighting women’s unique experiences in business, this journal empowers its users to step boldly into their potential.

Specialty: Guided journals with prompts and exercises designed specifically for women entrepreneurs and leaders.

Website: https://www.pearlsparkpages.com/

 

8. The Paper Narwhal

The Paper Narwhal is a whimsical stationery boutique in Toronto that curates playful, design-forward paper goods from both local and international makers. The shop is known for its eclectic and imaginative selection—everything from handmade greeting cards to stylish planners and art prints can be found here. More than just a store, The Paper Narwhal fosters creativity by supporting small-batch designers and offering one-of-a-kind products you won’t find elsewhere. It’s a must-visit for stationery lovers looking for something fresh, fun, and inspiring.

Specialty: Whimsical, design-forward stationery boutique featuring indie makers, planners, and handmade cards.

Website: https://thepapernarwhal.com

 

9. Stil Classics

Stil Classics is a Canadian stationery brand defined by simplicity and timeless design. Their notebooks, planners, and journals are clean, elegant, and practical—perfect for those who prefer a minimalist approach to organization. By stripping away distractions, Still Classics gives people space to focus on what truly matters, whether it’s capturing ideas, making plans, or practicing mindfulness. Each product is thoughtfully made with a sense of refinement and calm, appealing to anyone who believes that beauty lies in simplicity.

Specialty: Minimalist notebooks, planners, and journals with timeless, refined design.

Website: https://stillclassics.com

10. Gotamago

Gotamago is a Toronto-based stationery studio celebrated for its whimsical illustrations and heartfelt designs. Their greeting cards, art prints, and stationery products often feature hand-drawn characters and charming everyday moments, turning simple paper goods into delightful keepsakes. Gotamago’s work is infused with creativity and humor, making their products perfect for both personal use and thoughtful gifting. By combining artistry with functionality, Gotamago has built a reputation as one of Canada’s most imaginative stationery brands.

Specialty: Illustrated greeting cards, art prints, and stationery products inspired by whimsical everyday moments.

Website: https://gotamago.com

 

Canadian stationery brands are proving that beauty, creativity, and intentionality thrive when we shop local. From Take Note’s curated global-meets-local collection to PleaseNotes’ affirmation-driven tools for growth, each of these companies offers something truly unique. Supporting them not only offsets the cost of rising imports but also nurtures creativity and entrepreneurship within our own communities. Whether you’re looking for your next favorite journal, a gift for someone special, or a planner to bring more order into your life, these 10 brands prove that Canada’s stationery scene is vibrant, diverse, and worth celebrating.


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