✂️ Tutorials
DIY Planner Tutorials
Step-by-step projects to design, print, and bind your own planners, notebooks, and stationery from scratch.
Learn how to make planners, notebooks, and stationery from scratch with our step-by-step DIY tutorials. Every project walks you through the full journey — from designing your pages in Planify Pro to printing, cutting, and binding your finished creation.
Whether you're making your first wire-bound planner, crafting a lay-flat sketchbook with PVA glue, or assembling a magnetic fridge notepad as a gift, each tutorial includes a linked Planify Pro template so you can follow along. New to binding? Start with our complete guide to book binding methods to understand which technique works best for your project.
Below you'll find all our tutorials organized by project type, plus video walkthroughs in 7 languages and our recommended supplies and tools.
✨ New to DIY planner making? Start here:
- Read our beginner's guide to making a custom planner
- Browse our recommended supplies to see what tools you need
- Pick your first project below — we recommend a simple PVA notepad or a wire-bound notebook
🆕 Latest Projects
Our newest DIY tutorials — watch the reel, then follow the full step-by-step guide.
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DIY Refillable Journal: Chicago Screw Binding
Make this →
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DIY Magnetic Fridge Notepad: Meal Planner
Make this →
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DIY Refillable Notepad: Dual-Section
Make this →
📒 Planners & Journals
Full planner builds — from single booklets to 30-month hardcover planners. Each tutorial covers designing in Planify Pro, printing, and binding into a finished planner you can use or sell.
📱 Reel Tutorials (8)
DIY Hidden Wire Planner: Concealed Wire Binding
DIY Weekly Planner: Wire-Bound with Magnetic Closure
DIY Planner Purse: Portable Planner Bag with Wire Binding
DIY Hardbound Planner: 30-Month Hard Cover Planner Book
DIY Planner Booklet: PVA-Bound with Soft Cover
DIY Pocket Bullet Journal with Hidden Wire Binding
DIY Refillable Journal: Chicago Screws
DIY Bill Planner: 12-Month Bill Organizer
📖 Blog Tutorials (5)
📝 Notepads & Memo Pads
Quick, satisfying projects — most can be completed in under an hour. These PVA glue and Chicago screw notepads make great gifts, desk accessories, or products to sell.
📱 Reel Tutorials (14)
DIY Custom Notepad: Quick PVA Glue Notepad
DIY Notepad Set: 9 Mini Notepads with PVA Glue
DIY Notepad Set: Weekly Planner + To-Do List
DIY Back to Back Notepad: Double-Sided Planner Pad
DIY Stacked Notepad: Multi-Layer Notepad
DIY Notepad with Cover: Folding Chipboard Notepad
DIY Perforated Notepad: Tear-Off Pages
DIY Magnetic Fridge Notepad: Meal Planner
DIY Refillable Notepad: Chicago Screws
DIY Refillable Notepad: Lemon-Themed
DIY Refillable Notepad: Dual-Section
DIY Double Refillable Notepad: Fastener Binding
DIY ADHD Notepad: Daily Planning with Magnetic Cover
DIY Meal Planner Notepad: Tear-Off Grocery List
📖 Blog Tutorials (3)
🖥️ Desk Planners & Calendars
Standing desk planners and calendars that double as desk décor. Wire-bound for flipping, with custom chipboard covers.
📱 Reel Tutorials (3)
DIY Desk Planner 2026: Wire-Bound Standing Calendar
DIY Horizontal Desk Planner: Landscape Wire-Bound
DIY Sliding Calendar: Adjustable Standing Calendar
📖 Blog Tutorials (2)
✂️ Creative & Specialty Projects
Unique paper craft projects that go beyond planners — from tarot boxes and flashcards to clipboard stations and bookmark pens.
📱 Reel Tutorials (9)
DIY Flashcards: Chicago Screw Binding
DIY Chore Checklist Flipcards: Laminated on a Ring
DIY Bookmark Pen: Perforated Bookmark with Pen
DIY To-Do Mousepad: Notepad Mousepad
DIY Clipboard Notepad: Refillable with Clipboard Clip
DIY Clipboard Notebook: Wire-Bound with Clip
DIY Bentobox Notepad: Bento-Style Meal Planner
DIY Folding Notepad Station: Multi-Section Organizer
DIY Corner-Bound Notebook: Brain Dump Journal
📖 Blog Tutorials (3)
🎨 Design Tutorials
Learn how to design specific planner pages and layouts inside Planify Pro — before you print and bind.
📖 Blog Tutorials (2)
🎬 Video Tutorials in 7 Languages
Watch long-form DIY walkthroughs on our YouTube channel. Every tutorial is available in multiple languages — pick yours below.
🔗 Which Binding Method Should You Use?
Not sure how to bind your finished planner? Here's a quick overview. For a full deep-dive, read our complete guide to book binding methods.
Wire-O Binding
The most popular method for planners. Pages flip flat, look professional. Requires a Cinch machine.
Best for: planners, desk calendars, notebooks
See wire binding tutorials →
PVA Glue Binding
The simplest method — just glue pages to a backing. Perfect for tear-off notepads.
Best for: notepads, memo pads, notepad sets
See PVA notepad tutorials →
Chicago Screw Binding
Refillable! Pages can be removed and replaced. Great for journals and notepads you restock.
Best for: refillable journals, notepad refills
See Chicago screw tutorials →
Signature / Coptic Binding
Sewn booklets for a handmade, artisan look. Pages lay completely flat.
Best for: journals, booklets, gift planners
See signature tutorials →
🛠️ DIY Essentials: What You Need to Get Started
The core supplies for most of our tutorials. Click for our recommended products.
Chipboard
For covers and backing. 1.5mm–2mm thickness recommended.
Paper Cutter
A precision guillotine cutter for clean, straight edges.
Cinch Binder
Wire binding machine by We R Memory Keepers. The essential tool for wire-bound projects.
Binding Wires
Spiral wires in various sizes to fit your planner thickness.
Sticker Paper
For printing full-bleed covers. Peel and stick to chipboard.
Paper (120gsm+)
Heavier paper for planner pages. Prevents bleed-through and feels premium.
For detailed recommendations including printers, see our complete supplies guide and best printers for planner making.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What supplies do I need to make a planner at home?▾
At minimum, you'll need a printer, paper (we recommend 120gsm or higher for planners), a paper cutter, and chipboard for covers. For binding, you'll need either a Cinch wire binding machine, PVA glue, or Chicago screws depending on your project. See our full supplies list for links to everything we use.
What's the easiest DIY planner project for beginners?▾
A PVA glue notepad is the simplest — just print your design, cut to size, add a chipboard backing, and glue the spine. You can make one in under 30 minutes with no special tools. Try our quick PVA notepad tutorial to start.
Which binding method is best for planners?▾
Wire-O binding is the most popular for planners because pages flip completely flat and it looks professional. PVA glue is best for tear-off notepads. Chicago screws are ideal when you want refillable pages. For a full comparison, read our guide to book binding methods.
Do I need design experience to make these projects?▾
No. Every tutorial uses Planify Pro's drag-and-drop editor, which requires zero design skills. Most projects start from a premade template that you customize with your own colors, fonts, and stickers. See our beginner's guide to making a custom planner for a walkthrough of the editor.
Can I sell the planners and notepads I make?▾
Yes! With a Planify Pro Business plan, you get a full commercial license to sell anything you create — on Etsy, Amazon KDP, Shopify, or anywhere else. See our seller guide and pricing plans for details.
What printer should I use for planner making?▾
We recommend a supertank inkjet printer with automatic duplex (double-sided) printing. Our top picks are the Epson EcoTank ET-2850 for beginners and the Canon MAXIFY GX7020 for high-volume sellers. See our full printer comparison.
Can I follow along without a Planify Pro subscription?▾
You can design and preview everything with a free account. The only limitation is PDF export — you'll need a Personal or Business plan to download your finished design as a printable PDF. See pricing.
Ready to make your first planner?
Design it in Planify Pro, print it at home, and bind it yourself — no design skills needed.