What are Gecko Guards and why are they useful?

The Artgecko Classy range is a collection of sketchbooks built on balancing reliability, high quality papers and versatility. Featuring 150gsm and 200gsm all media cartridge papers, these books are ones that can be trusted for a wide range of media types and uses. Now, there is a new addition to the range that takes things a step further... Drum rolls please... Introducing the A4 Classy Gecko Sketchbook with Gecko Guards!

At its core, this is everything artists already value about the Classy range. You still get 150gsm premium white cartridge paper with a versatile medium surface, suitable for everything from pencil and ink to markers and light washes. It is acid free, sized for wet strength, and designed to handle both experimentation and finished work with ease.

But, lets get down to the reason you are all here! What sets this sketchbook apart is what sits between the pages.

These books feature Gecko Guards. Gecko Guards are protective interleaving sheets. These have been placed between every page, creating a barrier that helps prevent smudging, colour transfer, and unwanted marks. It is a simple idea, but one that solves a problem almost every artist has experienced. No more closing your sketchbook and reopening it to find carefully rendered work compromised. No more working around previous pages or limiting your materials out of caution.

This addition means that artists can move more freely between media. They can layer work with confidence, and treat each page as a protected space rather than part of a fragile sequence. For those who work in ink, markers, graphite, or mixed media, it removes a constant point of friction.

Just like the rest of the Classy range, the wire binding of the book allows the book to lie completely flat, making it comfortable for long sessions or working across spreads. The durable hardback covers, finished with our signature soft touch laminate, offer a premium feel while standing up to daily use. Available in A4 and A3, it suits both portable sketching and larger scale work.

How this changes the way you use a sketchbook

• Work across multiple media in one place, without worrying about transfer between pages.
• Build layered artworks over time, using the interleaving sheets to protect each stage.
• Create cleaner portfolios directly within your sketchbook, with pages that stay presentation ready.
• Sketch on the move with confidence, knowing your work is protected even when the book is closed and packed away.
• Experiment more freely, without needing to separate “messy” techniques into different books.

All Artgecko Sketchbooks are made in Britain using sustainably sourced materials.