---
title: "hardcover sketchbook 8.5x11 — Niche Verdict: Skip it (47/100) | Amazon United States - Flapen"
canonical_url: "https://flapen.com/amazon/research/us/arts-crafts-sewing/hardcover-sketchbook-8-5x11"
last_updated: "2026-07-13T21:40:56.040Z"
locale: en
meta:
  description: "strong incumbent ratings (4.7★) — hardcover sketchbook 8.5x11 doesn't clear our bar today."
  "og:description": "strong incumbent ratings (4.7★) — hardcover sketchbook 8.5x11 doesn't clear our bar today."
  "og:title": "hardcover sketchbook 8.5x11 — Niche Verdict: Skip it (47/100) | Amazon United States - Flapen"
---

Back to Flapen home

# **hardcover sketchbook 8.5x11**

**Skip it**

Strong incumbent ratings (4.7★) — this niche doesn't clear our bar today.

Market size 32Growth 23Conversion 41Competition 73Returns 95Price range 48Avg price 46Brand share 62Review moat 22Quality gap 16

**Returns**

**Incredible****0.9%**

return rate — above 6% kills the launch gate

**Competition**

**Good****41%**

top-5 click share — leaders hold, buyers still browse

**Brand share**

**Good****68%**

top-5 brand share — brands hold most of the demand

**Price range**

**Okay****$6.02–$23.38**

cheapest to priciest tracked listing — scored on the share inside $15–$100

**Avg price**

**Okay****$11.54**

avg listing price — sweet spot $15–$100

**Conversion**

**Okay****3.3%**

search→purchase rate — share of searches ending in a sale

**Market size**

**Okay****$152K**

$152K/yr · 398K searches

**Growth**

**Bad****-3.8%**

90-day search growth — must beat 0% to launch

**Review moat**

**Bad****8,721.98**

avg incumbent reviews — the moat a new listing must climb

**Quality gap**

**Bad****4.7★**

avg incumbent rating — lower means beatable quality

## **Competition**

The top 5 products take 41% of clicks — established leaders, but buyers still shop beyond them.

**Brands**

**25 **▼falling

**Sellers**

**129**

**Top-5 brand share**

**68%**

**Open market**

**29%**

- Strathmore53% - RETTACY4% - Fuxi4% - Prudiut4% - SAKURA3% - Leda Art Supply3%

## **Product shelf**

Each bubble is one product — market share against review moat; bubble size tracks estimated sales, color grades how beatable the incumbent looks.

0%10%$15K20%$30K30%$46K40%$61K101001K10K100K Reviews — right = deep review moatMarket share (90d) ≈ est. sales

Beatable (≤4.3★) Contested Strong incumbent (>4.7★)

All 40 tracked products in this niche — three views at once, no toggling.

### **Top sellers**

by 90-day click share

[1![Strathmore 400 Series Sketch Pad 9x12 inch 100 Sheets - Artist Sketchbook for Drawing Illustration Art Class Students](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51PcwiIiwoL.jpg)**Strathmore 400 Series Sketch Pad 9x12 inch 100 Sheets - Artist Sketchbook for Drawing Illustration Art Class Students**Strathmore**$12.05**4.8★33,832 rev](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0027A39PY) [2![Strathmore 400 Series Sketch Pad 5.5x8.5 inch 100 Sheets - Artist Sketchbook for Drawing Illustration Art Class Students](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51TNmOUwVaL.jpg)**Strathmore 400 Series Sketch Pad 5.5x8.5 inch 100 Sheets - Artist Sketchbook for Drawing Illustration Art Class Students**Strathmore**$7.42**4.8★33,832 rev](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004O7EFMO) [3![RETTACY Blank Journal Notebook 192 Pages A5 Medium Size (5.7 x 8.3) Leather Hardcover 100 GSM Thick Paper for Sketching Drawing Painting (Black)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31BCkahlMpL.jpg)**RETTACY Blank Journal Notebook 192 Pages A5 Medium Size (5.7 x 8.3) Leather Hardcover 100 GSM Thick Paper for Sketching Drawing Painting (Black)**RETTACY**$7.83**4.8★3,063 rev](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJPTFXT8) [4![Prudiut Hardcover Pocket Sketchbook 5 x 5 Square Mini Sketchbook 98lb/160gsm Heavyweight Tiny Sketch Book 80 Sheets Small Travel Drawing Journal for Adults Artist Ideal for Gift (Emerald Green)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41E4Bw3sW9L.jpg)**Prudiut Hardcover Pocket Sketchbook 5 x 5 Square Mini Sketchbook 98lb/160gsm Heavyweight Tiny Sketch Book 80 Sheets Small Travel Drawing Journal for Adults Artist Ideal for Gift (Emerald Green)**Prudiut**$9.35**4.3★244 rev](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F4R6TQ3B) [5![Strathmore 300 Series Wire Bound Sketch Pad 50 lb. Paper 9 X 12 inches 100 Sheets (350-9)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51UtxV+khXL.jpg)**Strathmore 300 Series Wire Bound Sketch Pad 50 lb. Paper 9 X 12 inches 100 Sheets (350-9)**Strathmore**$9.44**4.8★2,317 rev](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0027ACAPY)

**~~View all top sellers →~~**

### **Newest**

by launch date

[![Sakura Sketchbook A5 - Drawing Sketchbook for Visual Journaling Effortless Sketching & Personal Use - 140 GSM Paper - Hardcover Hardcover - 160 Pages - 5.1 x 8.3 - Black - Cream Paper](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31ArDSUNU6L.jpg)**Sakura Sketchbook A5 - Drawing Sketchbook for Visual Journaling Effortless Sketching & Personal Use - 140 GSM Paper - Hardcover Hardcover - 160 Pages - 5.1 x 8.3 - Black - Cream Paper**SAKURA**$11.18**85 rev2mo ago](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GRX373W9) [![Sakura Sketchbook A5 - Drawing Sketchbook for Visual Journaling Effortless Sketching & Personal Use - 140 GSM Paper - Hardcover Hardcover - 160 Pages - 5.1 x 8.3 - Black - Black Paper](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41T6KDuepTL.jpg)**Sakura Sketchbook A5 - Drawing Sketchbook for Visual Journaling Effortless Sketching & Personal Use - 140 GSM Paper - Hardcover Hardcover - 160 Pages - 5.1 x 8.3 - Black - Black Paper**SAKURA**$11.24**85 rev2mo ago](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GRWHCM1M) [![Sketch Book Mixed Media Pad - 9 x 12 Top Spiral Bound Sketch Pad 30 Sheets 98lb/160gsm Acid-Free Drawing Paper Light Watercolor Sketchbook for Drawing Sketching Painting Art Supplies](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41XY0a2RemL.jpg)**Sketch Book Mixed Media Pad - 9 x 12 Top Spiral Bound Sketch Pad 30 Sheets 98lb/160gsm Acid-Free Drawing Paper Light Watercolor Sketchbook for Drawing Sketching Painting Art Supplies**Hapikalor**$6.88**287 rev9mo ago](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FS61GHFV) [![Hardcover Large Size 9 x 12 Sketch Pads for Drawing 110 Sheets 80lb/120GSM Mixed Media Pad - Acid Free Paper Bleedproof Hardbound Sketchbook Professional Grade (Pack of 1)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/4130WLe9EcL.jpg)**Hardcover Large Size 9 x 12 Sketch Pads for Drawing 110 Sheets 80lb/120GSM Mixed Media Pad - Acid Free Paper Bleedproof Hardbound Sketchbook Professional Grade (Pack of 1)**TX liteart**$15.46**63 rev1y ago](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FF39LPQ2) [![Prudiut Hardcover Pocket Sketchbook 5 x 5 Square Mini Sketchbook 98lb/160gsm Heavyweight Tiny Sketch Book 80 Sheets Small Travel Drawing Journal for Adults Artist Ideal for Gift (Emerald Green)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41E4Bw3sW9L.jpg)**Prudiut Hardcover Pocket Sketchbook 5 x 5 Square Mini Sketchbook 98lb/160gsm Heavyweight Tiny Sketch Book 80 Sheets Small Travel Drawing Journal for Adults Artist Ideal for Gift (Emerald Green)**Prudiut**$9.35**244 rev1y ago](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F4R6TQ3B)

**~~View all new products →~~**

### **Trending**

90-day click momentum

[![Sakura Sketchbook A5 - Drawing Sketchbook for Visual Journaling Effortless Sketching & Personal Use - 140 GSM Paper - Hardcover Hardcover - 160 Pages - 5.1 x 8.3 - Black - Cream Paper](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31ArDSUNU6L.jpg)**Sakura Sketchbook A5 - Drawing Sketchbook for Visual Journaling Effortless Sketching & Personal Use - 140 GSM Paper - Hardcover Hardcover - 160 Pages - 5.1 x 8.3 - Black - Cream Paper**SAKURA**$11.18**4.8★**▲ 351%**](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GRX373W9) [![Sakura Sketchbook A5 - Drawing Sketchbook for Visual Journaling Effortless Sketching & Personal Use - 140 GSM Paper - Hardcover Hardcover - 160 Pages - 5.1 x 8.3 - Black - Black Paper](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41T6KDuepTL.jpg)**Sakura Sketchbook A5 - Drawing Sketchbook for Visual Journaling Effortless Sketching & Personal Use - 140 GSM Paper - Hardcover Hardcover - 160 Pages - 5.1 x 8.3 - Black - Black Paper**SAKURA**$11.24**4.8★**▲ 350%**](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GRWHCM1M) [![Hardcover Large Size 9 x 12 Sketch Pads for Drawing 110 Sheets 80lb/120GSM Mixed Media Pad - Acid Free Paper Bleedproof Hardbound Sketchbook Professional Grade (Pack of 1)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/4130WLe9EcL.jpg)**Hardcover Large Size 9 x 12 Sketch Pads for Drawing 110 Sheets 80lb/120GSM Mixed Media Pad - Acid Free Paper Bleedproof Hardbound Sketchbook Professional Grade (Pack of 1)**TX liteart**$15.46**4.5★**▲ 272%**](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FF39LPQ2) [![Strathmore 500 Series Softcover Mixed Media Journal 90 lb. Paper 5.5 X 8.5 inches 64 Pages (567-5)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51FLrRPfr4L.jpg)**Strathmore 500 Series Softcover Mixed Media Journal 90 lb. Paper 5.5 X 8.5 inches 64 Pages (567-5)**Strathmore**$18.26**4.7★**▲ 138%**](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KF5T7AY) [![Sketch Book Mixed Media Pad - 9 x 12 Top Spiral Bound Sketch Pad 30 Sheets 98lb/160gsm Acid-Free Drawing Paper Light Watercolor Sketchbook for Drawing Sketching Painting Art Supplies](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41XY0a2RemL.jpg)**Sketch Book Mixed Media Pad - 9 x 12 Top Spiral Bound Sketch Pad 30 Sheets 98lb/160gsm Acid-Free Drawing Paper Light Watercolor Sketchbook for Drawing Sketching Painting Art Supplies**Hapikalor**$6.88**4.7★**▲ 118%**](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FS61GHFV)

**~~View all trending →~~**

## **Demand & seasonality**

Weekly Amazon search volume, last 92 weeks — -3.8% search growth over the last 90 days.

13K8KHoliday '24Spike '25Prime Day '25Holiday '25Spike '26 seasonNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun

Peak months: Dec · busiest ÷ quietest = 3.0×

## **Reviews**

What buyers praise and complain about, mined from review topics.

### **What buyers love **

**Quality-Overall**18%

*“Great Quality for Price”*

**Drawing Experience**16%

*“Smooth for drawing”*

**Size-Overall**9%

*“Good size”*

**Paper Quality**8%

*“Thick paper”*

**Value For Money**7%

*“Good value”*

**Advertised Vs Actual Product**5%

*“Exactly what I needed”*

**Durability**4%

*“Its lasted me a while so i would say the durability is great”*

**Thickness**3%

*“the thickness is very satisfying”*

**Ease Of Use**3%

*“Easy to use”*

**Gifting Purpose**2%

*“Its a good gift”*

### **What buyers complain about **

**Paper Quality**15%

*“Paper quality is poor”*

**Size-Overall**13%

*“Small pads”*

**Thickness**12%

*“THIN paper”*

**Quality-Overall**6%

*“Not quality”*

**Durability**6%

*“breaks a lot”*

**Color**3%

*“has a slightly yellowish color”*

**Paint Quality**2%

*“the pages are too thin for any kind of paint”*

**Value For Money**2%

*“I wish they were a little cheaper”*

**Advertised Vs Actual Product**2%

*“fake advertisement”*

**Strength**2%

*“cheap and flimsy”*

### **Top return reasons **

**Size-Overall**59%

**Value For Money**7%

**Paper Quality**6%

**Advertised Vs Actual Product**6%

**Quality-Overall**3%

**Thin**2%

**Color**2%

**Thickness**2%

**Weight Heavy**2%

**Functionality-Overall**1%