Is it FP-friendly? Starbucks 2025 Planner review

Right on cue, the Starbucks 2025 planner (and our review!) is here. But while others show only what’s inside, nobody (still!) talked about the paper. And that’s why we’re here. The 2023 and 2024 editions’ paper quality was tolerable at best (they had the same types, only different sizes) but the set up allowed users to switch out sheets since the covers were objectively nice for a ring bound notebook. Well perhaps until you see a Plotter up close. 

So, if you’re a fountain pen user and not a regular Starbucks customer (because there are lots of coffee options out there, right?), would the planner’s paper quality be the worth 17 drinks (or a Php7000 single receipt purchase, sans coffee beans) that you have to get?

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DISCLOSURE: As with previous reviews, Pen Noob was not compensated for this post. This was not part of any media junket (and we don’t expect to be part of any) and this piece was produced thanks to a dear pen friend who always gets the Starbucks planner on Day 1. (Read our Editorial Policy)

The Cover

Across the sable (that’s either dark brown of black-ish) leather cover are thin debossed and thick gold lines patterned in a way that Rappler described as “topographic” (there’s no official description for this on the official website). It is keep shut by a uniquely-placed elastic strap at the bottom right corner, and also comes with a star-shaped paper clip attached.

There’s nothing much at the back of the cover, except for a cardboard pocket that can fit money or any other small, flat objects. Putting pens here similarly to what the photo shows is not recommended. It does feature an elastic loop with a matching ballpoint pen, but you can put any thin fountain pen here.

Inside the planner

Coming in A5 size, the Starbucks planner has starts with the month view spreads.

After that, each page features two days in journal format, which has more space compared to last year’s edition.

There’s no visible difference between weekdays and weekends, except for December 31 which occupies an entire page.

12 simple artworks divides the planner per month, with seven blank pages for notes at the back.

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Extras: Ballpoint pen and leather

For 2025, the gold-colored ballpoint pen is compatible with Parker refills. It writes decently, and can definitely be that pen that you lend to people in a jiffy.

The planner also comes with a navy blue and white leather envelope, which you can use as a clutch bag and carry other essential items with you.

So, is the paper fountain pen-friendly?

The short answer is: yes, with reservations. The more accurate answer is, it is much better than the past two years’.

Only one ink (Namiki Black) showed feathering based on the test, and it also did bleed a bit at the back. The rest held up well, especially the Sailor Sei Boku from a modified broad cursive italic-nibbed Bexley

Meanwhile, the soft medium-nibbed Nakaya Piccolo Writer in Heki Tamenuri inked with Montblanc Irish Green had a little bit of bleed at the back. Same goes for the Pilot Iroshizuku Chiku-rin inside a Kaweco with a modified fine cursive italic nib. Almost all pen and ink combinations ghosted though, but it is on a relatively-tolerable side.

Pen Noob Verdict

At the A5 size, there are other options for the Starbucks Planner such as the Midori and Hobonichi. But if you are a regular customer for this coffee shop, it is an option that you can settle with. Hobonichi is in trouble in terms of paper quality too, so its either you stick to the size or explore Travelers’ Notebook or other known brands. Also, fountain pen users are not the target market of this planner anyway.

Here’s the Starbucks 2025 planner next to a Traveler’s Notebook and a Hobonichi Mega Weeks. It is larger than both common options for fountain pen folks, but it can get the job done. It can take a wide range of nib and ink combinations, and the writing space per day is not as cramped as last time. And, at least, this year’s planner takes two less drinks to get compared to 2024.