DIY Flashcards: How to Make Custom Flashcards with Chicago Screw Binding

How to Make DIY Flashcards with Custom Covers

This DIY flashcards tutorial shows you how to make a custom set of flashcards with chipboard covers and Chicago screw binding. The cards flip on a single screw, making them easy to study one at a time — perfect for memorizing vocabulary, formulas, language phrases, exam prep, or any subject that benefits from active recall practice.

What makes these DIY flashcards better than buying generic ones is full customization. You control the content on every card, the cover design, and even the card size. The Chicago screw holds all the cards together on one pivot point, so you can flip through them like a fan. The chipboard covers on the front and back protect the cards from bending and give the set a polished, professional finish.

In this step-by-step guide, you will learn how to print your flashcard content, trim the cards along the crop marks, punch a single hole in the corner of each card, build custom chipboard covers wrapped in sticker paper, and bind the whole set together with a Chicago screw. Create your own flashcard layouts and cover designs using Planify Pro templates.

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Template

How to Export PDF

Inserts: Go to Save/Export -> Selected Page -> Paper -> A4 -> Click Generate PDF

Cover: Go to Save/Export -> Selected Page -> Paper -> A4 -> Click Generate PDF

How to Print PDF

Download the Free Adobe Acrobat Reader program for printing.

Print the inserts at 100% scale. Print in total around 50-60 pages in total. You should have in total around 100-120 insert pages. If you’re using a shorter chicago screw print less pages. Print the cover pages on white glossy sticker paper at 125% scale, at best quality.

You will need

Materials:

Regular Hole Puncher
Paper of your choice
Chipboard for hardcover
Glossy sticker paper to wrap cover
1 Chicago Screw 18mm long

Equipments:

Heavy Duty Paper cutter
Screw Driver

Instructions:

Print the inserts.
Trim along crop marks with a paper trimmer for even cards.
Hole punch the inserts (one hole). You can use a regular hole puncher
Print the cover designs on white glossy sticker paper trim off the white edges. You should have two cover pieces.
Prepare two chipboards, same size as the inserts. Place chipboard on the cover and fold in the sides. Apply white glossy sticker paper to the inside.
Put Chicago Screw in the hole
Add flashcard inserts
Tighten the Chicago screw.