July 18, 2025
Castelli Italy Notebook Production – Behind The Scenes in Bergamo
Tucked away in a quiet industrial quarter of Bergamo lies a creative powerhouse where timeless craftsmanship and modern innovation converge. This is the beating heart of Castelli Italy, one of the world’s most respected names in premium notebook production, and one of our preferred suppliers. As we work closely with Castelli, we are fortunate enough to have been on a tour (we’re nurturing our European trade relations, even if others aren’t!) Mark and Stephen from Castelli UK were our travel companions and guides, whilst the Italian team couldn’t have been more welcoming in showing us around the factory.
Come with us and look behind the scenes, where the notebook magic happens…
From the hum of machinery to the care of skilled artisans, every corner of the Castelli Italy notebook factory tells a story of heritage, quality, and meticulous attention to detail. While their notebooks are now found in boardrooms, creative studios, and corporate events around the globe, it all begins here on Italian soil.
We began our Italian trip in the best possible way, with an aperitivo in the courtyard of Palazzo Santo Spirito, our hotel in the old town of Bergamo. Once a convent dating back to 1309, it’s now a beautifully restored space full of charm (and very good Negronis). From there, we headed up into Bergamo Alta for dinner at the lovely Da Mimmo, tucked away in the heart of the old town – after all, a very hearty meal is a pre-requisite the night before a factory tour…isn’t it?!
Notebook Production Factory Tour – Castelli Italy
Day 2 of the itinerary began in the Castelli Italy showroom, with an in-depth look at their latest products, showcasing clean Italian design, creative typography, and a variety of finishes. There was a range of styles, from classic leather-bound options to modern, vegan alternatives. After a quick coffee (standard Italian work break), we donned our hi-vis to make our way through to the factory floor.
Split over multiple floors, each part of the production process is broken down into sections, each feeding into the next. The entire factory space is alive with the distinct aroma of paper, ink, and rich Italian coffee. (There’s a theme here, right?)
Aromatic coffee aside, there is something satisfying about watching a notebook production line in action; each part flowing into the next, machines humming, people moving with purpose. It felt somewhat like our own setup back home, just on a very much larger scale. Watch the video above and you’ll see the stages from printing and making the book blocks through to making the covers and adding finishing touches.
After the notebook production tour, we ended in the digital academy. Castelli Italy is investing seriously in the future, keeping pace with the next generation of print and finishing techniques, whilst continuing to honour their heritage; when traditional craftsmanship meets modern technology, exciting new products are bound to be on the horizon.
The Heritage of Castelli Italy
Castelli Italy has been one of our chosen partners for the past 9 years – they supply the beautiful notebooks, and we uniquely customise them for your brand. Their consistent quality and innovative, earth-friendly ranges continue to make their products hugely popular with our corporate and creative clients.
If you’re not familiar with Castelli Italy, here’s how it all began….In 1964, in the shadows of the Bergamo Alps, a passion for bookbinding was born. What started as a modest stationery workshop soon blossomed into a global brand in premium notebook production.
From the outset, Castelli notebooks have stood for more than utility; they are objects of intention and expression. Their design philosophy is distinctly Italian: form must always serve a function, but never without flair. It’s an approach where aesthetics and usability are inseparable, where the feel of the paper, the curve of a corner, or the richness of colour is as important as the lines you write.
Today, Castelli Italy remains rooted in this heritage yet continues to evolve. Inside its Bergamo factory, traditional bookbinding methods meet precision machinery. This marriage of handcraft and high-tech enables Castelli to produce notebooks that are not only exquisitely crafted but also carry a legacy of design excellence, ready to be branded, gifted and cherished around the world.
We stock a range of Castelli notebooks suitable for customising to your brand requirements – whether it’s hardback or softcover, brightly coloured or natural tones, we’ve got something for everyone. Whichever Castelli notebook you choose, they all customise exceptionally well in the hands of our expert production team. Why not order a batch of branded Castelli notebooks for your team, clients or prospects today?
