DIY Notepad Set: Weekly Planner + To-Do List with Custom Covers

Make Your Own DIY Notepad Set: Weekly Planner + To-Do List

Want a planning system that actually fits your style? This DIY notepad set tutorial shows you how to create a matching weekly planner and to-do list notepad from scratch — complete with custom chipboard covers bound with PVA glue.

Whether you’re organizing tasks for school, home, or creative projects, having a coordinated set of planner tools makes a big difference. This isn’t just about organizing your week — it’s about creating something that fits your routine and inspires consistency. If you’re new to making planners, start with our beginner’s guide to making custom planners for a full overview.

What You’ll Learn in This DIY Notepad Set Tutorial

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to combine cute layout design, personalized colors, and functional elements to build a stylish notepad set. This project covers PVA glue binding for notepads, chipboard cover construction, and sticker paper finishing — the same techniques used in our guide to decorating and selling custom notepads.

Perfect for digital use or print-and-bind setups, this project is beginner-friendly and fully editable with Planify Pro tools. For printing tips, check our guide to the best printers for planners.

Ready to design your own weekly planning set? Check our Under the Sea Collection for matching designs!

💡 Pro Tip: PVA glue binding creates tear-off notepad pages — perfect for to-do lists you want to remove and stick on your desk. For a bound planner that stays together, try wire or signature binding methods instead.

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Template

How to Export PDF

For Notepad: Go to Save/Export -> Selected Page -> Paper -> Select A4 -> Click Generate PDF
For Cover Design: 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 the notes pages at 100% scale just the front side. Print the cover pages on white glossy sticker paper at 130% scale.

You will need

Materials:

Chipboard 1.4mm or any thickness
Regular Paper 80gsm
White Glossy Sticker Paper

Equipments:

Heavy Duty Paper cutter
Cutter
PVA Glue

Instructions:

Print the notepad pages 60 times (60 pages in total) and trim them using a heavy duty paper cutter or regular cutter and ruler
Clip each stack together and apply PVA Glue to the top edge (thin layer)
Let the notepads dry for 15 min
Print the Cover Design on white glossy sticker paper and trim off the white edge
Remove the adhesive from the sticker paper cover
Cut three chipboard pieces to following sizes: 2 pieces 7.8x21.4cm — 1 piece 1.1x21.4cm and Place the chipboard pieces on to the cover
Cut off the 4 corners (45 degrees angle)
Fold in all the sides
Take some white glossy sticker paper, and cut it to size so it covers the inside cover, then place it to the inside cover
Score the folds
Add double sided tape to the backside of the notepads
Stick the notepads on to the inside of the cover