1. 4″ x 6″ – Quick Notes and On-the-Go Lists

This compact size is perfect when you just need to jot something down fast. People use them to scribble reminders, create a grocery list, and mark a book page.

Tip: Use tear-off sheets with simple checklist templates to make them even more useful for the recipients.

2. 5.5″ x 8.5″ – A Versatile Desk Staple

This half-letter pad strikes a good balance between portability and sufficient writing space. Thus, it’s a common choice for office notes, task lists, and branded giveaways. To give them more structure, many businesses customize their notepads with headers like “To Do” or “Client Notes.”

Tip: Add them to welcome kits or trade show bags. Many people love receiving them because they are practical and easy to carry.

3. 5″ x 7″ – A Stylish, Compact Option

Slightly narrower than half-letter, this size is ideal for jotting down a long list of things. It is also popular with boutiques, salons, and creatives who need notepads to write down their appointments and schedule.

Design tip: Use bold borders or custom artwork to elevate the look and feel of your branded notepads.

4. 8.5″ x 11″ – For Full Notes and Heavy Use

This standard paper size is ideal when you need room to write more things. For this reason, it is commonly used for meeting notes, printable templates, and client forms. This notepad size also fits into standard binders and folders, making it easy to store and organize. In fact, many real estate agents use it for their “Home Tour Notes” to help homebuyers compare different properties on their list.

5. 4.25″ x 5.5″ – Small but Mighty

This quarter-page pad is perfect for quick notes and handouts. It’s often found at front desks for jotting messages and appointments.

Design tip: Print a specific design to make your custom notepads more functional. For instance, you can turn them into grocery list or to-do lists.

Conclusion

Notepads are small but valuable items that can help boost brand awareness and recall. However, their effectiveness and functionality will depend on their size, so make sure you pick the right one based primarily on how the recipients will use them. Other factors such as your brand aesthetic, budget, and distribution method may also help you determine the ideal size.