Notebook vs. Folio: Which Critical Role Stationery Fits Your Table?
By Critical Role Store | Published: 2026-09-15
Category: Comparisons
Compare a notebook and a folio for tabletop gaming so you can pick the right stationery for character sheets, session notes, and quick reference at the table.
Quick answer
Choose a notebook if you mainly write session notes, track initiative, or jot character ideas in a linear, portable format. Choose a folio if you need to protect and carry loose character sheets, printed handouts, or reference pages without folding them. Many players end up using both: a notebook for writing and a folio for sheet storage.
Your table space is limited, your character sheet is probably already dog-eared, and the last thing you want mid-combat is to dig through a messy pile of paper. The notebook vs. folio decision comes down to one question: are you writing new notes, or protecting existing pages?
This comparison looks at how each format handles the real jobs of tabletop gaming—session notes, character sheets, quick reference, and transport—so you can match the stationery to your actual table habits.
What a notebook does well at the table
A notebook is a writing-first tool. It gives you a bound or spiral stack of blank pages for initiative order, NPC names, loot lists, and the plot thread you swear you will remember next session. Because it lies flat or flips open quickly, it works well in a small player footprint next to dice and a drink.
The trade-off is that a notebook does not protect loose paper. If your character sheet lives separately, it can still get creased, spilled on, or lost between sessions. A notebook is also harder to reorganize—once you write on a page, that information stays in that order.
- Best for players who take active session notes and track changing numbers.
- Keep a dedicated page for initiative and conditions so you are not flipping mid-turn.
- If you use both a notebook and loose sheets, store the sheets in a folder or folio to prevent damage.
What a folio does well at the table
A folio is a carrying and protection format. It is designed to hold flat pages—character sheets, spell lists, printed handouts, or reference cards—so they stay uncrumpled in a bag and easy to pull out at the table. If your group uses printed sheets or you like to keep a clean master copy, a folio keeps that copy usable.
The trade-off is that a folio is not primarily a writing surface. You can annotate a sheet inside it, but you do not get a fresh stack of blank pages for freeform notes. A folio also adds a little bulk compared to a slim notebook, so it takes up more bag space.
- Best for players who print character sheets or carry handouts between sessions.
- Use a folio if you want one place for your sheet, a pencil, and a few reference pages.
- Check that the folio fits your sheet size before buying; a too-small folio forces folding.
How to choose based on your table habits
If you are the player who writes everything down—initiative, roleplay notes, shopping lists—start with a notebook. If you are the player who arrives with a printed sheet and needs it to survive the trip, start with a folio. The two solve different problems, and neither replaces the other completely.
A practical middle path is a notebook for writing plus a folio for sheet storage. That combination keeps your active notes separate from your reference pages, so you are not rewriting your character sheet every time you level up.
- Notebook first if your main pain point is remembering what happened.
- Folio first if your main pain point is damaged or lost character sheets.
- Both if you want clean sheets and a running log without mixing them together.
Trade-offs to weigh before you buy
- Writing space vs. page protection: A notebook gives you blank pages to write on; a folio protects pages you already have. If you need both, you are choosing two tools, not one. Pick the format that solves your biggest current problem, then add the other later.
- Portability vs. capacity: A slim notebook slides into a bag or hoodie pocket easily. A folio holds more flat pages but takes up more room and may not fit in a small pocket. Measure your bag or pocket before assuming a folio will travel the way you want.
- Reorganizing vs. permanence: Loose sheets in a folio can be reordered, removed, or replaced. Notebook pages are fixed once written, which is good for a session log but less flexible for a changing character sheet. Use a folio for sheets you update, and a notebook for notes you want to keep in order.
Critical Role stationery and tabletop picks
- Critical Role: Bells Hells - Portrait Series Orym of the Air Ashari Black-Stitched Playmat for Tabletop Gaming: Premium black-stitched playmat with full-color character artwork of Orym by RYP, SHOTZE; made, fulfilled, and shipped by licensing partner Ultra PRO International; delivery only to physical shipping addresses within the United States. A playmat defines your card and dice zone, which pairs naturally with a notebook or folio by keeping your writing surface separate from your play area. The US-only shipping and third-party fulfillment are real limitations to check before ordering.
- The Legend of Vox Machina Playing Cards: A set of 54 standard playing cards featuring Vox Machina characters on the faces, with art by Bryan Weiss (@PlayRPGandCo); originally made as part of the 2019 crowdfunding campaign and part of an item surplus; all sales are final and cannot be returned. A deck gives you a compact randomizer or prop for table games, and it stores flat alongside a folio or notebook. The final-sale policy means you should be sure about the purchase before checkout.
- Critical Role Retro Hoodie: Teal and yellow raw edged stitched stripes across the upper chest, full front zip-closure, roomy kangaroo pockets, and a full hood with drawstrings; relaxed fit and charcoal gray color; available in Size. Kangaroo pockets give you a place to stash a small notebook, pen, or deck between turns without adding a bag. The relaxed fit matters if you layer it over other clothing at a long session.
- Critical Role Foundation Enamel Pin: Sky blue and silver line work with a gold heart-pommel; hard enamel on zinc alloy; $6 USD will be donated to CRF; all sales are final and cannot be returned. A small pin is an easy way to personalize a notebook cover, folio, or bag so your stationery is identifiable at a shared table. The donation detail is a genuine part of the product, not a marketing claim.
Which should you choose?
Choose a notebook if you
- Take active session notes and track initiative, conditions, or loot during play
- Want a portable writing surface that fits in a small bag or hoodie pocket
- Prefer a linear record of what happened in each session
Choose a folio instead if you
- Mainly need to protect printed character sheets or handouts from creasing
- Carry loose reference pages you reorganize between sessions
- Want one flat place for a sheet, a pencil, and a few printed pages
Match the format to your main job: notebook for writing, folio for protecting sheets. If you can, use both—your future self at the table will thank you.
