✦ Create

DIY Hardbound Planner: How to Make a 30-Month Hard Cover Planner Book

Build a Bold DIY Hardbound Planner That Lasts All Year

Craving a DIY project that’s as stylish as it is functional? This DIY hardbound planner tutorial shows you how to turn your favorite printable pages into a durable, personalized planner you’ll be proud to use—or gift! If you’re new to planner making, start with our beginner’s guide to making custom planners for a full overview of the process.

Perfect for long-term planning, goal setting, or journaling, this project adds structure and elegance to your routine. The hardbound format offers a polished, book-like finish that’s sturdy enough for daily use, yet easy to create at home. This technique uses PVA glue binding similar to our lay-flat sketchbook tutorial — for other binding methods, see our complete guide to book binding methods.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to measure, glue, and bind your pages into a sleek, minimal planner that reflects your style—using Planify Pro templates or your own designs. Need a printer? Check our best printers for planner making guide.

Let’s get crafty and give your monthly plans the home they deserve. See Planify Pro’s Planner Collections Here

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.

More DIY Planner Tutorials

DIY Hidden Wire Planner
Concealed wire binding for a professional look
DIY Lay Flat Sketchbook
PVA glue binding that opens completely flat
Booklets with Signatures
Hand-sewn signature binding for planner booklets
Book Binding Methods Guide
Compare all binding techniques for planners

Template

Group Get this Template on Planify Pro
Group Get this Second Template on Planify Pro
Group Get this Second Template on Planify Pro

How to Export PDF

How to Export this Template from Planify Pro:

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

For 30 Month Planner: Go to Save/Export -> All Page -> Paper -> Select A4 -> Rearrange Booklet -> Set Sheet per Signature: 1 -> Click Generate PDF

Export Menu Planify Pro with Signatures

How to Print PDF

Download the Free Adobe Acrobat Reader program for printing.

Recommended to use a Duplex Printer for this Project. You will need in Toal around 200+ Pages. Print the planner inserts at 100% scale, on both front and back side. Print the cover pages on white glossy sticker paper at 100% scale, if possible print Borderless. There are two pages in the cover pdf file. Only print out the first cover page. Trim off the white border if there is one.

You will need

Materials:

  • Chipboard 1.4mm or any thickness
  • Regular Paper 80gsm
  • White Glossy Sticker Paper
  • PVA Glue
  • Head band (book band)

Equipments:

  • Heavy Duty Paper cutter
  • Bookpress

Instructions:

  • Printing and cutting 120 pages of planner inserts for DIY hardbound planner
    Print and cut the inserts (120 pages in total) and trim them using a heavy duty paper cutter)
  • Folding planner pages one by one in correct order for booklet binding
    Fold each page one by one. Make sure the pages align and continue in the correct order after folding and combining together
  • Inserting folded pages into bookpress and applying PVA glue to spine
    Insert the stack with the folded pages into the bookpress. The folded spine side facing up - Apply a generous amount of PVA glue to the spine.
  • Spreading PVA glue evenly on spine with sponge for hardbound planner
    Use a sponge to spread the glue evenly
  • Pressing page stack to left side to distribute glue evenly on spine
    Press the stack to the left side and continue spreading the glue. This will make sure glue is distributed evenly.
  • Pressing page stack to right side for even PVA glue distribution
    Press the stack to the right side and repeat the step making sure the glue has been applied evenly throughout all pages
  • Securing bookpress at spine with paper protection sheets between press and pages
    Move and secure the bookpress at the spine. Make sure the bookpress is pressing the pages evenly. To protect the pages and the bookpress from being glued or stuck together, insert some paper sheets as a protector between the book press and the glued pages
  • PVA glue drying on hardbound planner spine for 2 hours in bookpress
    Let it dry for at least 1.5-2 hours. Better over night
  • Trimming dried planner edges with heavy duty paper cutter for clean finish
    Once dried remove the pages from the press and trim the edges with a heavy duty paper cutter to get a clean edge. This step is optional but it gives the planner a cleaner finish.
  • Measuring headband piece to match width of planner book spine
    Take a piece of headband and make sure it’s as wide as the spine.
  • Gluing headband to top and bottom of DIY hardbound planner spine
    Glue it to the top and bottom of the book’s spine using PVA Glue.
  • Printing cover design on white glossy sticker paper for hardbound planner
    Print out the cover design on white glossy sticker paper
  • Three chipboard pieces cut to size for front cover spine and back cover
    Cut three chipboard pieces to following sizes 1) 10.5x15cm -> 2) 2.2x15cm -> 3) 10.5x15cm
  • Middle chipboard piece matching exact width of planner book spine
    Note: The middle second chipboard should be exactly the same width as the book’s spine
  • Front and back chipboard covers sized 2mm wider and taller than planner pages
    Note: The first and third chipboard which are the front and back covers should be around 2mm wider and taller to each side compared to the book itself. If you prefer a bigger cover you can also make these two pieces bigger
  • Placing chipboard pieces centered on sticker paper cover design for hardbound planner
    Remove the adhesive from the cover design and place the chipboards on to it. Make sure the chipboards are placed exactly centered on to the cover design. Best to make sure the second chipboard piece is completely centered before placing the other two chipboards next to it
  • Trimming corners of cover design sticker paper at 45 degrees
    Trim the corners of the cover design
  • Folding cover paper edges over chipboard on all sides
    Fold in all the sides
  • Applying double-sided tape to front and back of planner book for cover attachment
    Take the planner book and apply double sided tape on to the front and back side of the planner book. Make sure the double sided tape is applied to the edge of the paper as close as possible. Apply tape to all sides, as well as diagonally in the center of the book
  • Attaching planner book to hard cover using double-sided tape
    Place the book on to the cover, remove the tape’s adhesive and then fold down the cover so it attached to the front page of the book. Repeat this step for the back side as well
  • Scoring completed DIY hardbound planner at spine for book-like finish
    Optional: Score the book at the spine. Not necessary but might make it look more “book-like”

Try These Next

Make this
Make this
Make this
Make this

Explore the full DIY library

DIY Essentials: What you need to get Started

See all Items
20 Pcs Book Board, Binders Board Chipboard Designer Bookboard Kraft Heavy Duty Chipboard Sheets Bookbinding Supplies for Book Binding Cover
Cardstock Paper
Get
paper cutter DIY with planify pro
Paper Cutter
Get
Cinch Book Binding Machine DIY with planify pro
Cinch Binder
Get
wires for book binding planner DIY with planify pro what you need for planner shop
Wires
Get
sticker paper for printing planify pro DIY
Sticker Paper
Get
cardstock DIY tutorial with planify pro what you need for planner shop
Paper
Get
Scroll to Top