Making a DIY Wingfold Journal

Learn how to make a DIY wingfold journal — a unique handmade notebook with folding outer wings that hold tear-off notepads on each side. In this step-by-step tutorial, you’ll design your journal pages and cover in Planify Pro, print everything at home, and assemble it using chipboard, PVA glue, and o-wire binding. The result is a beautiful, functional journal that stands out from any store-bought notebook. Whether you’re making it for yourself, as a gift, or to sell, this is one of the most impressive DIY planner projects you can create.

👉 For the full written walkthrough with detailed instructions for every step, see our in-depth guide: DIY Wingfold Planner: How to Make a Folding Journal with Side Notepads.

New to planner making? Start with our beginner’s guide on how to make a custom planner. If you love the wingfold concept, you’ll also enjoy the DIY double-door Christmas planner which uses a similar folding cover technique. For more o-wire binding projects, check out the DIY 2026 planner with magnetic closure or the half-hidden wire notebook. Browse all projects on our DIY tutorials page.

Template

How to Export PDF

Go to Save/Export -> Current Page -> A4 -> Click Generate PDF

How to Print PDF

Download the Free Adobe Acrobat Reader program for printing.

Print at 100% scale. Print 100 pages for the notebook and 70 pages for each notepad. Print cover on A4 white matte sticker paper 100% scale, borderless

You will need

Materials:

Regular Paper
Chipboard
PVA Glue
Cardstock
Matte white sticker paper
20mm o-wires

Equipments:

Heavy Duty Paper cutter
Clips

Instructions:

Print Cover pages on white matte sticker paper
Place chipboard one on the first cover page, fold in all sides
Prepare following chipboards: 1&2) 11 × 15.3 cm 3) 2.6 × 15.3 cm 4) 15.8 × 15.3 cm 5) 1.4 × 15.3 cm 6) 5.8 × 15.3 cm and place them down on the second cover page
Trim the corners
Fold in all the sides
Apply white glossy sticker paper to the inside covers
Cut the notepad inserts, clip them together, apply PVA glue to the top edge and let it dry 15 min
Cut the notebook inserts and hole punch them
Hole punch the second back cover
Hole punch the first cover
Prepare 20mm o-wires
Insert through the wires the inserts, then front cover, then back cover
Cinch close the notebook wires
Apply double sided tape to the notepads
Place them on to the outer wings
You're done