• FAQ

    • Q.

      What is DP paper?

      A.

      DP paper (also called Designphil Pocket Book paper) is an original proprietary paper designed to be thin while maintaining its strength. The smooth surface allows for a good writing experience with all kinds of writing instruments, even fountain pens and ink. It does not feather or bleed-through easily.

    • Q.

      Where are the hardwares from?

      A.

      The rings are made by Krause, known for their superior metal hardware. The “PLOTTER” backplates are original brass hardware made in Japan

    • Q.

      How should I maintain and care for the leather?

      A.

      For instructions on how to care for different kinds of leather materials from PLOTTER, please refer to these articles:

      Maintaining Liscio Leather
      Maintaining Pueblo Leather
      Maintaining Shrink Leather

    • Q.

      Can I customize my name on the ring leather binder?

      A.

      The name customization service is currently only available in Japan.

    • Q.

      What are the differences between the leather binder sizes?

      A.

      The specific dimension of each size is listed below:

      A5 Size H8.7″/W6.7″
      Bible Size H7″/W4.5″
      Narrow Size H7″/W4.1″
      Mini Size H5.5″/W3.9″
      Mini 5 Size H4.7″/W3.1″

      We recommend A5 size for the ample writing space and the flexibility to fold A4/Letter size documents into the ring leather binder. Bible size is a common and popular size (close to a Personal Size in the US) in Asia and the European region in the ring system style. Narrow is a unique size by PLOTTER that makes the ring leather binder more compact, portable, and fits into large pockets if you want to always carry it with you. Mini Size is a portable dimension similar to a Pocket Size in the Us. Mini 5 is a uniquely compact size that fits into any pocket.

    • Q.

      The leather cover has some small but visible scuffs and marks on it, is it normal?

      A.

      At PLOTTER, we embrace the irregularities, wrinkles, and scratches that occur on natural leather as the charm of leather. Leather is a natural material that comes from animals, so it may have scratches from lying on the grass or scratches left by animals themselves. There will be blood vessels, small scratches, linear wrinkles, or uneven color bands, and each piece of leather can vary from part to part. These slight imperfections are what make leather so unique from other synthetic materials, and we invite you to enjoy the way leather materials (and these small marks) change over time.

    • Q.

      There are some color and texture differences on the inside of the ring leather binder, is normal?

      A.

      It is completely normal and it makes your ring leather binder more unique and truly one-of-a-kind. To ensure an even thickness throughout the piece of leather, the craftsmen repeatedly use a skiving blade to shave off the useless hairy patches to create a smooth leather with a natural texture, not only on the surface but also on the reverse side. The strain marks on the backside are proof of the authenticity of the leather, which has been carefully crafted piece by piece. The inside of a PLOTTER Leather binder is also not treated in any special way, the original scratches, wrinkles, dents, and other expressions of the leather are used to its fullest. This is part of our philosophy of honoring the leather piece and enjoying it in its natural form.

    • Q.

      There is a bump in the leather in the middle of the spine

      A.

      PLOTTER Leather binders in A5, Bible, and Narrow Size utilizes special backplate with a hook that secures the leather through the midsection. The design is intentional to maintain the integrity of the leather against the entire length of the backplate. A slit in the leather in the middle of the spine is necessary for this design. The “bump” is the natural curvature that happens where the slit is made on a fresh piece of leather, and as you use the leather more, the tension will resolve over time.

    • Q.

      Can the ring leather binders be repaired?

      A.

      Repair of PLOTTER products is dependent on the condition of the product. PLOTTER provides 1-year warranty on PLOTTER ring hardware for orders from authorized PLOTTER distributors in the US/CANADA region. Warranty is void if any cosmetic customization is made to the PLOTTER Leather Binder outside of official PLOTTER customization events. If you wish to have it evaluated and repair, please contact support@plotterusa.com. Repair and exchange services are only available within US and Canada region.

      The binder (ring) metal fittings of the leather binder (notebook) are designed to be removed so that they can be replaced so that customers can use them for a long time. This is a mechanism that can be repaired when the metal fittings are not properly engaged due to factors such as binding a large amount of refill paper, or when the metal fittings are distorted due to dropping. Therefore, the binder metal fittings may come off regardless of the normal usage range and years of use.

      The cost of hardware replacement (not including shipping) is below:
      Liscio A5 – $32; Bible / Narrow / Mini / Mini 5 – $22
      Pueblo A5 – $30; Bible / Narrow / Mini / Mini 5 – $20
      Shrink A5 – $20; Bible / Narrow / Mini / Mini 5 – $15

      The Shipping fee for repairs will be $8

    • Q.

      I made an inquiry, but I did not receive a reply or reply email within 3 business days

      A.

      There are various possible causes, such as “You are using an address that you cannot reply to” or “cannot receive mail”. Other possible causes are below.

      1. Customers who use symbols (such as “.”) In their email addresses for special purposes

      2. Customers who use free mail – some free email services are more reliable than others. We recommend using Gmail as a reliable free email administrator.

      3. Customers using carrier emails of mobile phones and smartphones – sometimes sending messages or emails on the fly may have dropped service during your reply. You should have an error message in your inbox if this is the case.

      4. Our Replies may have automatically gone to your junk or spam folder so please double-check before reaching out.
      * For details on the setting method, check the websites of mobile phone companies or contact the retailer where you purchased your mobile phone or smartphone.

      5. Other possibilities
      The Incorrect email address entered
      Security software and antivirus software settings
      If you are using the email blocking service of your provider
      Mailbox capacity over the limit
      *If none of the above apply, please contact us again using a different email address.

  • Shipping

    • Q.

      Shipping on special events or holidays

      A.

      Shipping times is extended to 5-7 business days due to volume of orders and staff shortage.

    • Q.

      Shipping during the current pandemic situation

      A.

      Due to the pandemic, we are short-staffed and next business day shipping may not be available.

    • Q.

      Domestic Shipping (USA)

      A.

      To maintain the quality and packaging of PLOTTER products, we have opted for the best shipping options for that purpose. We thank you for your understanding.

      The cost of shipping your order will vary depending on the destination of your shipping address and chosen method of shipment. All shipping costs are calculated at check-out. Free shipping on any orders over $185 (excluding tax)

      (1)Standard: Shipped next business day + 5-7 business days for transit
      (2)Priority: Shipped next business day + 2-3 business days for transit
      (3)Overnight (FED EX Standard Overnight): Delivered next business day for orders placed before 12pm PT.

      **As more locations are being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic shipping times may be extended by 2-3 days to allow our couriers the extra time to safely deliver your order.

      According to USPS – Service Alerts, they are experiencing minor operational impacts for domestic mail. We are able to continue providing shipping within the United States, but at this time we cannot guarantee shipping times and delivery delays are expected.

    • Q.

      International Shipping

      A.

      To maintain the quality and packaging of PLOTTER products, we have opted for the best shipping options for that purpose. We thank you for your understanding

      International Shipping is currently only available for customers in Canada

      The cost of shipping your order will vary depending on the destination of your shipping address and chosen method of shipment. All shipping costs are calculated at check-out. International shipments may be subject to customs duties which are levied by and paid to your local customs office. Please see section “Customs Duty Tax”.

      International Priority (FedEx): Shipped next business day + 2-3 business days for transit (orders with customs delays may add an extra 1-2 business days)

      ** Due to extended wait time with US Postal Service, we are currently only offering Fed Ex Priority shipping for all international orders. As more locations are being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, international shipping times may be extended by 4-6 days to allow our couriers the extra time to safely deliver your order.

      Customs Duty Tax
      Customs duty tax or tariff is a fee imposed on goods when transporting across international borders, it is a charge from the foreign country rather than PLOTTER USA. Customs duty tax is a legal requirement that must be settled by the purchaser before a shipment can clear customs and be delivered. Customs duty tax is payable to your local customs office. Shipments without customs clearance may be held and later returned to the sender.

      The customs duty tax amount will vary depending on certain variables, such as your destination country’s tax and duty percentage, category of goods and its value. As such, PLOTTER USA cannot provide any estimates for the tax amount.

    • Q.

      How do I pay international taxes and duties if I place an order from Canada?

      A.

      Unless specifically exempted, you must pay the 5% Goods and Service Tax on items you import into Canada by mail. The Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) calculates any duties owed based on the value of the goods in Canadian funds. When your order reaches the border, the CBSA will reach out to the contact info listed on the order for a payment request. Once payment is complete, the CBSA will release your order for final delivery.

    • Q.

      What should I do if I entered the incorrect shipping address?

      A.

      Once an order has been received in our system, our team then has it processed as quickly as possible. Therefore, we cannot guarantee any address corrections or order modifications be made to your order unless confirmed by our shipping team. If you have mistakenly entered an incorrect shipping address during check-out, we ask that you contact us immediately.

      Please email us at support@plotterusa.com with your full name, 4-digit order number, and the correct shipping address and we will do our best to update your information before it is processed to ship.

  • Returns

    • Q.

      Do you accept returns or exchanges?

      A.

      All products can be returned or exchanged within 30 days of purchase within the US and Canada region. Only unopened items can be returned. We only accept return when the items are defective or unopened condition. Customer is responsible for return postage.

      Once your return is physically received, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item and proceed to process your refund. A credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment. It may take time before your bank posts your refund. Usually, the funds will show up in 5-7 business days