DIY Clipboard Notebook

Make a Clipboard Notebook – Portable, Practical, and Pretty

Want to bring a little structure and style to your daily planning? This DIY clipboard notebook is the perfect blend of form and function—a sturdy, customizable notepad you can clip, carry, and create with anywhere.

Designed for planners, creatives, and note-takers alike, this easy project turns simple materials into a handy everyday essential. Whether you’re tracking tasks, jotting down ideas, or gifting something thoughtful, this clipboard notebook adds charm and efficiency to your workspace.

In this step-by-step tutorial, you’ll learn how to cut, bind, and assemble your own notebook using printable templates from Planify Pro. It’s a fun and functional DIY that keeps your notes organized—and your style on point.

Let’s get crafting! Start your project today and explore more creative templates from our full Planner Collections HERE.

Template

How to Export PDF

For Cover Design: Go to Save/Export -> Selected Page -> Paper -> Select A5 -> Click Generate PDF

For the Inserts: Go to Save/Export -> Selected Page -> Paper -> Select A4 or US Letter -> Click Generate PDF

How to Print PDF

Download the Free Adobe Acrobat Reader program for printing.

Print the Cover Design twice at 130% Scale, on A4 White Glossy Sticker Paper. Print the inserts at 100% scale. You can either print just the right or second page on the front side, or print the inserts front and back.

You will need

Materials:

Chipboard 1.4mm or any thickness
O-Wires 20mm or any similar size
Clipboard Clip

Equipments:

Cinch Machine or any Binding Machine
Riveting Tool

Instructions:

Print, cut and hole punch the inserts.
Print the cover design twice on white glossy sticker paper. Trim the white edges around the cover design off.
Cut two chipboards to the following size: 15.8x22.8cm
Remove the adhesive from the cover designs and place the chipboards on to the center of the cover design.
Trim the corner with scissors (45degrees).
Fold in all the sides.
Place white glossy sticker paper on the inside of both covers or print a colored design for the inside cover.
Hole punch the front and back cover.
Take your clipboard piece. They usually also come with the buttons to secure.
Mark where the clip should be placed on the front cover.
Hole punch and the cover at the marks and insert/secure the clipboard with its buttons/screws. You will need a riveting tool to press secure the screws.
The inside pocket is optional. Prepare a piece of cardstock with the following size: 12.5cm x 14cm x 9cm. Add additional flaps 1cm thick to each side.
Fold the flaps.
Apply double sided tape to the flaps and remove.
Place the inside pocket to the inside cover and prepare the wires, combine the inserts, back and front cover and cinch together the notebook.
Your done!