Guides and advice
Buying guides and practical advice
Whiteboard or permanent marker: which tip to choose
What separates a whiteboard marker from a permanent one, which tip suits which job, how to rescue a board written on in permanent ink, and how to make markers last.
Drawing paper: weight, size and Canson, what to buy
Paper weight decides what a sheet can take, from pencil to watercolour. Sizes, Canson, white or coloured, pad or block: what to buy for each technique and school list.
Printer paper: 70 or 80 gsm, A4 or A3, laser or inkjet
A 500-sheet ream is chosen on weight, size, whiteness and printer type. Here is what to pick for what you print, and how to store it.
Which calculator from primary school to university
Which calculator to choose for each level, what 417 functions, natural display or 10 + 2 digits mean, and why to check first what the school or exam allows.
Crayons, felt-tips, gouache: what to choose by age
Which pencils, felt-tips and paints suit a child of 2, 4 or 7, how to read washable on a label, and what school lists ask for.
Ballpoint, gel, rollerball or fountain pen: which to choose
What really separates ballpoint, gel, rollerball, fountain, erasable and fineliner pens, how to read 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 mm, and which pen suits a left-hander, school, an exam or Arabic calligraphy.
Cartable, backpack or rolling bag: choosing by age
The right school bag depends on age, load and route. How to compare the three formats, check that a 24x32 notebook fits flat and adjust the straps.
School notebooks: 24x32, A4, A5, pages and ruling
Format, page count, ruling, paper weight and cover: what each word on a school list line means, and which notebook cover fits which format.