- DIY How to make a Lay Flat Sketchbook : A Step-by-Step Guide
- What you'll need to prepare before crafting your Lay-Flat Sketchbook:
- Watch the Full Video Tutorial
- Design the Inside Covers
- Design the Outer Cover
- Prepare the Inner Pages
- Bind Your Lay-Flat Sketchbook
- Ready to Design Your Custom Sketchbook?
- What you need to get started
DIY How to make a Lay Flat Sketchbook : A Step-by-Step Guide
Looking for a DIY lay flat sketchbook you can make at home? A lay-flat binding lets your pages open completely flat — no fighting with a stiff spine while you sketch, draw, or journal. This PVA glue binding method is one of the simplest bookbinding techniques for beginners, and it produces a professional result every time.
In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll walk you through designing, printing, and binding your own handmade sketchbook using Planify Pro. Whether you’re making a personal art journal, a gift, or a product to sell, this lay-flat binding technique gives your sketchbook that premium feel without expensive equipment.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to:
- Choose the right paper: We’ll explore different paper options suitable for sketching and drawing.
- Create a lay-flat binding: Discover a simple and effective bookbinding technique that allows your sketchbook to open flat.
- Craft a custom cover: Add a personal touch to your sketchbook with a unique cover design.
- Assemble your sketchbook: Learn how to put all the pieces together to create a finished product you’ll be proud to use.
By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have a beautiful and functional lay-flat sketchbook that’s ready to be filled with your artistic creations. If you’re interested in other binding methods, check out our guide to different binding styles which compares PVA, wire, coil, and signature techniques. Now let’s get crafting!
What you’ll need to prepare before crafting your Lay-Flat Sketchbook:
- Paper 70gsm or any copy paper you have
- Cardstock 220gsm or any other weight
- PVA Glue (Kids Glue)
- Bookpress or Clips
For printer recommendations to get the best results with your cover and inside pages, see our best printers for making and selling planners.
Watch the Full Video Tutorial
Design the Inside Covers
- Open Planify Pro in a Firefox browser (in a new private mode window for the latest updates)
- Create a new project
- Select A6 size
- Remove all widget boxes
- Go to “Pattern” and choose your desired pattern for the inside covers
- Click “Save & Export”
- Select A4 or US Letter paper size
- Click “Generate PDF” and download the PDF
- Print both pages on 220 GSM cardstock (or your preferred thickness)
Design the Outer Cover
- In Planify Pro, create a new project
- Select A5 size (or half-letter if printing on US Letter paper)
- Go to “Pattern” and choose your desired pattern
- Go to “Spine” and select a pattern or color for the spine
- Adjust the spine width as needed
- Go to “Cutline” and hide the cut lines
- Click “Save & Export,” select “A4” or “US Letter” paper size, and click “Generate PDF”
- Download the PDF and print it on cardstock
Prepare the Inner Pages
- Gather around 100 sheets of A5 paper (70 GSM or your preferred weight)
- Fold each sheet in half
Bind Your Lay-Flat Sketchbook
This is where the magic happens — the PVA glue binding is what makes your sketchbook lay completely flat when opened. Unlike wire binding or signature binding, PVA binding creates a flexible spine that lets every page open to a full 180 degrees.
- Trim the white borders from the printed inside covers
- Fold each inside cover in half
- Glue one folded inner page to the inside of each cover
- Stack the folded inner pages between the covers
- Apply glue to the folded edges of the stack (not the loose edges)
- Press the glued spine firmly and let it dry for several hours or overnight
- Trim the printed outer cover to the desired size
- Mark and fold the cover along the spine and outer edges to create flaps
- Wrap the cover around the sketchbook, securing the flaps with glue or adhesive
- (Optional) Trim the edges of the sketchbook with a heavy-duty paper cutter for a clean finish
Your lay-flat sketchbook is now complete and ready to be filled with your creative expressions!
Here are some additional tips:
- You can use a variety of materials for your sketchbook cover, such as fabric, cardstock, or even a piece of your favorite art.
- If you don’t have a paper cutter, you can use a ruler and a sharp knife to trim the edges of your sketchbook.
- You can add decorative elements to your sketchbook, such as ribbons, stickers, or your own artwork.
- Let your creativity shine! There are no rules when it comes to designing your own sketchbook.
More DIY Planner & Notebook Tutorials
Love this lay-flat binding? Explore these other handmade notebook and planner projects:
Ready to Design Your Custom Sketchbook?
PlanifyPro makes it easy to create professional planner pages, calendars, and printables that are perfectly sized for your handmade sketchbooks. Choose from hundreds of templates or design your own layouts in minutes – no graphic design experience needed!
Try PlanifyPro Free →What you need to get started
Want more tips and inspiration for building your own custom planner or launching a personalized planner brand? Check out our blog for a helpful beginner’s guide: “What You Need to Start a Planner Shop” and Courses to help you get started. Planify Pro has more DIY tips to help you personalize your planner, whether you’re designing a gift, building a product line, or just creating a layout that works for you.
Check out these easy tutorials and bring your custom planner ideas to life Click Here! Don’t forget to visit our Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest for more inspiration—and to explore our wide selection of premade planner templates, design stickers, and fonts for making your own personalized planner. Let Planify Pro help you on your journey to planner success!
