Shop select planning products from high-quality stationery suppliers in Durham, including ArtPost Supplies & Studios, Parker Paper Company, Mill and Meadow and Paper Source
Compiled by Rebecca Savidge | Photography by John Michael Simpson
Parker Paper Company
Jot down quick notes, reminders or class ideas on the fly with a variety of notebook options; break big dreams into doable steps and track progress on your own timeline.
Stay color-coded and creative while organizing projects or assignments; spotlight key info in notes, planners or textbooks instantly.
Keep your pens, pencils and tools neatly in one place; and don’t miss the opportunity to add a cheerful touch to your desk for motivation.
Mill and Meadow
Students can begin and end their year organized with this 12-month planner, which runs from August 2025 to July 2026, and includes coloring pages, habit trackers and space for notes, plus weekly spreads! It’s easy to keep track of assignments and plans with built-in tabs and a thoughtful layout.
Brighten up your notes and planners with smooth, fine-tip gel pens with vibrant ink that matches each pen’s exterior; add personal style to your supplies with waterproof vinyl stickers; and combine productivity and creativity with this Color-In Notebook designed for both doodling and note-taking.
Mill and Meadow has countless accessories to help manage school supplies. Keep your school essentials neatly packed – whether you’re carrying pens, calculators, laptop cords or art supplies – with this pouch that fits perfectly into backpacks and tote bags. This sustainable mushroom leather wristlet keeps your dorm key, ID or mini wallet easily accessible on your wrist – no more last-minute bag digs when you’re running late to class or grabbing coffee on the go. Make flagging textbook pages or your current read easier than ever with these four small-but-strong bookmarks that clip securely without damaging pages – ideal for students juggling readings, syllabi and study guides.
ArtPost Supplies & Studios
Sakura Pigma Micron Pen, Black, 08, $3
Milan Artist 520 Eraser, $0.99
M+R Metal sharpener, $5.50
Lyra Rembrandt Sketching Set Pencils, $29.99
Single Stump Blending Tool, $1.50
Unleash your creativity this school year with a drawing set that has it all! Packed in a handy and witty pencil bag, it includes pencils, a blender, a sharpener, a kneaded eraser and a pen. Pair it with a few sketchbooks, and you’ll have everything you need for doodling wherever inspiration strikes.
Dive into the art of printmaking with this complete kit that includes carving tools, a brayer, ink and special printmaking paper that makes it easy to get started.
Add a pop of color to your projects with these vibrant Posca markers! Available in lots of sizes and colors, they’re perfect for everything from detailed drawings to bold designs.
Fold up some fun with eye-catching origami kits featuring cool, colorful designs! Try out a Flower Origami kit ($7.99) for delicate blooms, the Glow-in-the-Dark Origami set (pictured) for luminous creations or the Insects Origami pack ($6.99) for bugs that really pop.
Take your painting on the go with this compact travel watercolor set. Perfect for capturing inspiration anywhere, it’s got all the colors you need in a handy, portable case.
Paper Source
The staff at Paper Source loves to ensure their customers have everything they need as well as some fun extras they didn’t know they needed until they came into the store. In addition to these beautiful and functional stickers, the shop features a large selection of journals, washi tape, stamps, markers, crayons, stencils, bookmarks and many other great items to get a student, teacher or parent excited about back-to-school season.
A staff favorite for their smooth, smear-resistant (left hand-friendly), long-lasting ink and micro-fine tip – available in around 20 vibrant colors, sold individually or in packs of six or 10. This 14-piece set pairs seven Sarasa Clip 0.5mm fine-point retractable gel pens with seven Midliner dual-ended markers (it’s a marker and highlighter, all-in-one), perfect for colorful notes, bullet journaling and creative planning.
Stay on top of your schedule with a weekly desk planner featuring week-at-a-glance pages, monthly overviews and a notes section. Paper Source carries both store-exclusive styles (like this one!), as well as brands like Rifle Paper Co, Papier, Moleskin and more. Some styles even include fun planner stickers and sticky notes.
