Sketchbooks get a lot of love. We talk about paper weight, cover feel, binding type, and whether it can handle a cheeky watercolour wash. But there’s one small accessory that quietly makes everything work better: the book band.

It’s easy to overlook. It doesn’t look as glamorous as a new set of pens or a limited-edition sketchbook. Yet once you start using one, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.

Sketchbooks can be used in all sorts of ways. You might use one for an art course, coursework or structured studies, or simply as a place to capture ideas, practise techniques and let your creativity develop.

With so many options available, choosing the right sketchbook can feel like a project in itself. You need to consider paper weight, surface texture, size and orientation — and then there is the question of binding.

Two of the most popular formats are casebound and twin wire. Both offer distinct advantages, depending on how and where you like to work. In this guide, we’ll explore the pros and cons of each format and look at which Artgecko Classy sketchbook could be the best fit for your creative practice.