Abstract: A hand-inscribable surface has a pattern on its surface to assist a user to handwrite in correct alignment. The pattern includes an arrangement of linear paths with linear regions in between. The uses writes in the linear regions relying on the linear paths as alignment guides. Within each linear region, there is a separation-boundary that is located between: i) a clear primary linear strip which is substantially devoid of indications and in which clear primary linear strip, in use, a majority of typical handwriting will be inscribed; and ii) at least one secondary linear strip in which only a minority of typical handwriting will be inscribed. The separation-boundary is biased towards one of the linear paths, between which it lies. In other words, the separation-boundary is not located centrally between the linear paths, and the primary linear strip is substantially wider than the secondary linear strip.