A planner helps you organize your year, set clear goals, and keep track of everything you need to do. But instead of buying a boring planner, why not make your own? It's a lot easier than you think, and it's genuinely satisfying.
Planify Pro will guide you through the whole process, from choosing your materials to designing your pages. No matter who you are — a student, a professional, or just someone who likes being organized — making your own planner is a great place to start.
Ready to build your own planner book? Let's get started.
What You'll Need to Prepare Before Crafting Your Planner Book
| Paper to print out planner inserts |  Chipboard / Book Board 2 x cut down to Personal Wide size + 6mm added to width and length |  Cinch Binding Machine or any other binding tool |
 Binding Wires for binding | Eyelets and Elastic (Optional) |  Guillotine Paper Cutter (Optional) |
Design Planner Cover Book
Step 1: Create a Planner and Select Size
Click Create a Planner
Select Personal Wide Size from the Size menu at the top
Step 2: Choose Pattern and Customize
Go to Pattern, select the pattern you like and click Full display from the dropdown menu on the right
Switch Edit Layout to On and remove all widgets to create blank page
Step 3: Add Text and Customize Font
Go to Sticker Mode
Select Widgets and choose Text to customize it from the right menu bar
Click the AA icon on the top menu to customize font style and color
Create Planner Inserts
Step 1: Create Blank Page
Create a new page. Switch Edit Layout to On and remove all widgets to make it blank
Click Duplicate in the bottom left corner
Step 2: Apply Template and Style
Go to Template and choose a template from the Planner Tag A+ section on the right menu bar
Click Skeleton to apply it and keep your chosen planner size
Click Style to apply the style to your planner pages
Customize Planner Inserts
Step 1: Customize Fonts
Texts: Select the H1-3 you want to modify and choose from the available fonts or upload your own
Step 2: Apply Style and Colors
Style: Select the type of style on the top menu bar, then apply it to your desired widgets by clicking on the available styles
Color: Choose the area you want to adjust the color of (outline, header, or line). You can either select color from the palettes or directly enter the color code
Click L to R icon to duplicate left to right page
Step 3: Customize Headers and Icons
Click on Widgets, scroll to the Header section, and modify the text as needed
Click on widgets, choose ToDo option and select todo list template
Scroll to Checkbox on the left and customize the icon to your liking
Change Dates & Calendar
Step 1: Set Start Date and Calendar
Turn Edit Layout to Off, double-click on the date and set the start date
Click on the calendar and select the desired month and year from the top menu bar
Step 2: Duplicate Pages and Auto-Adjust Dates
Click the three dots icon in the bottom left corner, enter the desired number of pages, choose your preferred rendering time, and then click the start duplicate button
Click Dup+Change to automatically adjust the dates
Export PDF File
Step 1: Export and Download PDF
Go to Save/Export
Choose Export PDF > All Pages
Select your paper size and arrange pages for ring binding option
Click Batch Generate PDF
Step 2: Download and Print
Click to download your PDF button below
Open your file with Adobe Acrobat and print it out
Note: we recommend scaling the cover to 120% and the planner inserts to 100%.
Binding Planner Book
Step 1: Trim and Punch Planner Inserts
Trim planner inserts with a Heavy Duty Guillotine Paper Cutter
Make holes on planner inserts with the Cinch
Step 2: Prepare Cover
Place your Chipboards down on sticker cover
Cut the edge of sticker cover and hole punch it
Step 3: Bind Planner Book
And that's it. Building your own planner book is far easier than it looks, and it's a good way to make something that fits exactly how you plan — or to create a genuinely personal gift. With a little practice, planner books like this also sell well on Etsy.
Related tutorials
- How to Make a Planner: Printable and Digital — the design and export side in more depth
- Book Binding Methods — wire, coil, PVA and signature compared
- DIY Half-Hidden Wire Notebook — a neater variation on wire binding
- Best Printers for Planner Making
What You Need to Get Started
 Chipboard / Book Board | Guillotine Paper Cutter | Cinch Binding Machine |
Binding Wires |  Sticker Paper |  Cardstock Paper |
