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
Assemble the Sketchbook:
- 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.
- (Optional) Trim the edges of the sketchbook with a heavy-duty paper cutter for a clean finish.
Attach the Outer Cover:
- 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.
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.
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!
