DIY Fully Hidden Wire Planner

Build a Sleek Hidden-Wire Planner That Looks Professionally Bound

Want a planner that looks clean and polished—without exposed binding? This DIY tutorial teaches you how to make a fully hidden wire-bound planner that keeps the spirals out of sight while staying fully functional.

It’s perfect for creators who love the durability of wire binding but prefer a seamless, minimal exterior. Whether you’re gifting, selling, or crafting a custom planner for yourself, this technique elevates your design instantly.

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to bind your pages with a wire-o spine, create a hard cover, and cleverly conceal the binding using a folded edge or cover flap—no special machine required.

Let’s level up your planner game with this stylish and satisfying build.

Browse Planify Pro’s complete planner collection and find the perfect match for your planning style—view them all HERE!

Template

How to Export PDF

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

For the Inserts: Go to Save/Export -> All Page -> Paper -> Select A4 -> Rearrange Pages for Ring -> Click Generate PDF

How to Print PDF

Download the Free Adobe Acrobat Reader program for printing.

Print the Cover Design at 100% Scale, if possible borderless on A4 White Glossy Sticker Paper. If borderless printing is not an option, print as close to the edge as possible and trim off the white border around the cover. Print the Inserts front and back at 100% scale. You will end with around 100 pages. You can also print out additional inserts of you wish for a fuller planner book.

You will need

Materials:

Regular 80gsm Paper or any thickness
White Glossy Sticker Paper
Chipboard 1.4mm or any thickness
O-wires 20mm
Cardstock
Double-sided Tape

Equipments:

Cinch or any Binding Machine
Heavy Duty Paper Cutter
Cutter

Instructions:

Print and cut the inserts.
Hole punch all the insert.
Print the Cover Design if possible borderless. Else trim the white access border.
Prepare following chipboards: 2 pieces 12.2x16cm — 1 piece 2x16cm
Remove the adhesive from the Cover Sticker Paper
Place the Chipboards on to it, centered in the middle. Leave a 3-4mm gap between each chipboard.
Trim the corners 45 degrees.
Fold in the edges.
Prepare a piece of white cardstock in the following size: 15x28.5cm.
Fold the cardstock in half.
Hole punch the cardstock on the folded end. Same setting as used with the inserts.
This is how it should look like.
From the folded center outwards to each left and right side, score the paper at 1.4cm.
And the fold.
The cardstock should form a “W” shape.
Prepare and Clip O-wires
Insert the cardstock first, then following with the inserts.
Cinch and close wires with the cardstock and inserts.
Fold to the front and wrap the cardstock around the inserts
This is how it should look like
Apply double sided tape to the cardstock cover. Apply the tape around the edges as close to the edge as possible.
Remove the double sided tapes adhesive and stick the cardstock to the inside of the cover.
Repeat this step for the other side as well.
This is how it should look like from below.
Your project is done!