Once upon a time in 1988, there was a dream made of paper. A dream brought to life by Sergio Paolin and Oriella Guarise, the founders of Arbos, who decided to breathe new life into materials typically seen as waste destined for the landfill. Their vision was as simple as it was revolutionary: to create handcrafted, environmentally friendly notebooks using recycled materials.
Arbos’s mission has always been to produce stationery that is not only functional but also carries a message of respect and love for nature. In essence, everyday objects with a special soul.
From the very beginning, we stood out for our ability to merge artisanal craftsmanship with a strong drive for innovation. Long before “green” was a buzzword, we chose to use recovered materials and champion sustainability. It wasn’t easy, but our perseverance paid off.
Today, Arbos is recognized as a leader in eco-friendly stationery in Italy and beyond. However, for us, this has never just been business; it has been—and continues to be—a vocation, a commitment to leaving the world better than we found it.
Our Philosophy: The 3 R’s of Arbos
At Arbos, our work is guided by three core principles, which we call the 3 R’s: Respect for People, Respect for the Environment, and Pursuit of Beauty. These aren’t just words; they are values that influence every aspect of what we do.
Respect for People
Behind every product are hands, minds, and hearts. We work to ensure safe working conditions and recognize the value of everyone involved in our production process.
Respect for the Environment
We use recycled and recyclable materials, minimizing our environmental impact. As pioneers in this field, we take pride in our efforts, which are exemplified by our B Corp certification.
Research into Beauty
Every Arbos notebook is designed with meticulous attention to aesthetics. We don’t settle for simply creating something useful; we aim to create something beautiful that sparks joy and inspiration. We believe sustainability and design should go hand in hand.
Our Iconic Products
Over nearly 40 years, Arbos has created countless product lines—some of which have become symbols of our approach to stationery.
These products tell our story and are beloved by our customers for their quality and meaning.
We create everyday notebooks, simple yet versatile, ideal for all purposes, hardcover journals, elegant and timeless, perfect for personal reflections, and spiral-bound notes, convenient for full 360° usability. We also have double-faced notebooks, two notebooks in one, thanks to their reversible covers!
Among our most innovative designs there are notebooks with all-black pages, writable only with fluorescent pencil, and notebooks bound without staples or thread—100% paper-based and an engineering marvel.
Our creativity also extends to home and office items, such as pen holders and coin pouches with contrasting elastic closures. We’ve explored unique concepts like the Arbosluce paper lamp collection and Il Fare dell’Arte, collaborating with artists to create one-of-a-kind books.
Many of our products result from fruitful collaborations with artists, museums, cultural institutions, fashion designers, and architecture studios—demonstrating how recycled materials can be versatile and artistic.
Materials at the Heart of Our Production
At Arbos, recycled materials are the lifeblood of our creations. We believe everything can have a second life and that waste can become beautiful, functional products. Our notebooks are crafted from a variety of recycled materials, each with its own story:
- Recycled Paper: Certified FSC® to ensure sustainability and responsible sourcing, our recycled paper is high-quality, durable, and offers a pleasant writing experience.
- Straw Paper: Made from fibers recovered from urban waste collection, straw paper has a rustic, natural appearance, embodying our connection to the earth.
- Ricuoio®: A material made from leather production scraps, Ricuoio® is elegant, durable, and certified by the Global Recycle Standard (GRS), ensuring compliance with strict environmental and social criteria.
- TarPaper®: Combining recycled paper with distilled bitumen, TarPaper® has an industrial, contemporary aesthetic, perfect for bold, unconventional designs.
- Ristoffa®: Crafted from textile waste and old clothes, Ristoffa® creates unique products that tell a story of upcycling and creative transformation.
Services for Businesses
In addition to our in-house collections, Arbos offers a range of services for businesses that want to combine sustainability with personalized stationery solutions.
Museum Merchandising: With years of experience, we design unique product lines for museums and cultural institutions, reflecting their identity and offering visitors sustainable keepsakes.
Private Label: From adapting existing collections to creating entirely new designs, we help brands like Vivi Verde by Coop Italia develop custom stationery lines.
What Sustainability Means to Us
Sustainability isn’t just a label for Arbos; it’s a way of life. It’s a promise we make daily to our planet and our customers. This means using recycled materials, producing locally to reduce CO2 emissions, and celebrating Italian craftsmanship.
It also means designing durable products that stand the test of time, moving away from the disposable culture. Every Arbos notebook, journal, or planner is meant to be a long-term companion, capturing years of thoughts, stories, and emotions.
We’re proud to be a certified B Corp and a benefit corporation, integrating sustainability and social responsibility into our bylaws. For us, these certifications aren’t just accolades; they’re motivation to continually improve and reduce our environmental impact.
Our Most Iconic Notebooks
Our notebooks are more than writing tools; they’re an expression of our love for design, sustainability, and creativity. Sold across Italy and Europe in bookstores, museums, and stationery shops, including the LaFeltrinelli network, they are also available online for B2B customers and individuals via IBS and Amazon.
One standout is the Quaderni Collection, born in 1994 from a collaboration between Arbos and Mala. Arti Visive in partnership with the Neon Contemporary Art Gallery in Bologna. Initially conceived as a contemporary art piece, these notebooks remain timeless spaces for reflection and creativity.
Another beloved line is Feng Shui Notebooks, designed to bring balance and harmony into users’ lives. From page colors to material choices, every detail promotes serenity and positivity.
Lastly, the Kroma Line showcases our playful side. With vibrant covers and unique textures, Kroma is perfect for those who want their notebooks to stand out while adding joy to their everyday tasks.
Conclusion
Since 1988, Arbos has come a long way, but our mission remains unchanged: to create stationery with soul, respect the environment, and tell a story. We believe paper, recycled materials, and craftsmanship still have much to offer. Every Arbos notebook is a piece of our dream, inviting you to slow down, reflect, and write your life story.