DIY Refillable Journal: How to Make a Refillable Journal with Chicago Screws

How to Make a DIY Refillable Journal with Chicago Screw Binding

This DIY refillable journal tutorial shows you how to build a custom hardcover journal with Chicago screw binding that lets you add, remove, and replace pages whenever you want. Unlike a glued or stitched journal where the pages are permanently fixed, a refillable journal uses Chicago screws as the binding mechanism — simply unscrew, swap your pages, and screw it back together. This means your journal never runs out, never gets cluttered with old pages you no longer need, and always contains exactly the content that matters to you right now.

The design features a two-panel front cover with a narrow spine strip and a wider main panel, connected by a flexible hinge that allows the cover to open and close smoothly. The back cover is a single solid panel. Both covers are made from sturdy chipboard wrapped in printed sticker paper, giving the journal a clean, professional look that rivals store-bought options. White glossy sticker paper lines the inside of each cover for a polished finish. The Chicago screws pass through pre-punched holes in the covers and inserts, holding everything together securely while remaining easy to open by hand whenever you need to refill.

This refillable journal is a versatile project that works for many different purposes. You can use it as a daily writing journal, a goal-setting planner, a gratitude journal, a travel journal, a recipe collection, a project notebook, or a creative sketchbook — the refillable format means you can change the inserts to match whatever you need at any point. If you fill up your writing pages, print a fresh batch and swap them in. If you want to switch from lined pages to dot grid or weekly planner layouts, just unscrew and replace. The possibilities are endless because the cover is permanent but the content is not.

For anyone interested in selling handmade journals, this project is also an excellent product to offer on Etsy or at craft markets. Refillable journals are popular with customers who value sustainability and customization, and the Chicago screw binding gives them a premium, artisanal feel. You can offer the journal as a complete set with inserts, or sell the covers and inserts separately so customers can mix and match. Learn more about turning planner projects into a business with our guide on how to start a profitable planner business on Etsy.

In this step-by-step tutorial, you will learn how to print and cut 130 journal insert pages, prepare three chipboard panels for the front and back covers, wrap the covers in custom-printed sticker paper, line the insides with white glossy sticker paper, score the spine hinge for smooth opening, punch holes through all layers, and assemble everything with Chicago screws. The entire project uses basic supplies you can find at any craft store, and the process is beginner-friendly even if you have never made a journal before. Design your own journal covers and insert layouts with templates from Planify Pro, and explore more binding methods in our complete guide to book binding techniques.

Looking for more planner inspiration? Explore our complete guide to custom planner makers in 2026, browse 50+ planner template ideas for sellers, or see our step-by-step roadmap on how to start a profitable planner business on Etsy.

👉 View all of Planify Pro’s Planner Collections HERE!

Template

How to Export PDF

Inserts: Go to Save/Export → Selected Page → Paper → Select A4 or US Letter → Click Generate PDF

Cover: Go to Save/Export → Selected Page → Paper → Select A4 → Click Generate PDF

How to Print PDF

Download the Free Adobe Acrobat Reader program for printing.

Print inserts at 100% scale, front side only. Print approximately 130 pages total (the exact number depends on your Chicago screw length). Print the front and back cover designs on white glossy sticker paper at 120% scale with best quality settings for vibrant color.

You will need

Materials:

Regular Paper
Chipboard
White Glossy Sticker Paper
Chicago screws

Equipments:

Heavy Duty Paper cutter
Hole Punch
Scoring Tool or Bone Folder

Instructions:

Print the journal inserts and cut them to size. Print around 130 pages total (the exact number depends on the length of your Chicago screws). Use regular copy paper at 100% scale, front side only.
Hole punch the inserts along the binding edge. Make sure all holes are aligned so the Chicago screws will pass through smoothly.
Prepare three chipboard panels: 1) Spine strip — 1.8 × 22 cm, 2) Front cover panel — 12.8 × 22 cm, 3) Back cover panel — 15.1 × 22 cm. Cut them precisely using a heavy-duty paper cutter.
Print the front and back cover designs on white glossy sticker paper at 120% scale for best quality. Trim off the white frame and edges around each cover.
Place the spine strip (piece 1) and the front cover panel (piece 2) onto the printed front cover sticker paper. Leave a 4 mm gap between both chipboard pieces to create the hinge.
Fold in all the sides of the sticker paper over the chipboard edges, pressing firmly for a clean wrap. Trim the corners at a 45° angle before folding for neater edges.
Place the back cover chipboard (piece 3) onto the printed back cover sticker paper and fold in all the sides, just like you did for the front cover.
Line the inside of both covers with white glossy sticker paper. This hides the folded edges and gives the journal a clean, professional interior finish.
Score the front cover along the gap between the spine strip and the main panel. This creates a crisp fold line so the cover opens and closes smoothly on the hinge.
Hole punch the front cover (through the spine strip) and the back cover. Make sure the holes align with the insert pages.
Prepare the Chicago screws by separating the male (screw) and female (post) halves. Make sure the screw length is long enough to hold all your insert pages plus both covers.
Insert the Chicago screw posts (female halves) through the back cover from the outside, so the posts stick up through the inside of the back cover.
Stack the insert pages onto the Chicago screw posts, feeding each post through the pre-punched holes in the inserts. Add all pages before attaching the front cover.
Place the front cover on top, feeding the Chicago screw posts through the holes in the spine strip. Screw the male halves into the posts and tighten until snug.
Your DIY refillable journal is complete! Open and close the cover to test the hinge, and flip through the pages to make sure everything moves smoothly. To refill, simply unscrew the Chicago screws and swap in fresh pages.