Want to make a DIY planner journal booklet you can use or sell? This step-by-step tutorial shows you how to design a cute cherry-themed weekly planner with covers in Planify Pro, print it as a booklet, and bind it with staples for a professional result. It’s one of the easiest bookbinding projects for beginners — and a great way to start making custom planners.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to design a customized cover with your favorite patterns and colors, create personalized weekly and monthly spreads with custom sections and layouts, make a handy to-do list notepad with tear-off pages, and assemble everything into a finished planner journal booklet.
If you’re interested in other binding techniques like wire binding or Coptic stitch, check out our guide to book binding methods for a full comparison.
What you’ll need to prepare before crafting your DIY planner journal booklet:
| Paper to print out the Inserts — see our best printers for planners guide for recommendations |  Cardstock Paper 220gsm | Stapler |
Design Your DIY Planner Journal Booklet
Choose a Template
Choose a Template: Start by selecting a planner template from Planify Pro that suits your needs and style. You can find a variety of templates, from daily and weekly planners to specialized templates for goals, habits, and more.
Customize Your Planner Pages
Customize: Personalize your planner by adjusting the colors, fonts, and adding any decorative elements you like. You can also add, remove, or rearrange pages to create a planner that perfectly matches your preferences.
Design the Cover
Add a Cover: Design a unique cover for your planner. You can use a pre-made template from Planify Pro or create your own design using images, text, and other elements.
Export and Print Your Planner Booklet
Export as PDF
Export as PDF: Once you’re happy with your planner design, export it as a PDF file. Make sure to select the correct paper size (A4 or US Letter) and choose the “do not rearrange” option to ensure the pages print in the correct order.
Print Your Pages
Print: Print your planner pages on your chosen paper. If you want a sturdier planner, consider using thicker paper or cardstock.
Bind Your DIY Planner Journal Booklet
This booklet uses simple staple binding — the quickest and easiest method for thin planner journals. For thicker projects, you might prefer wire binding, signature binding with Coptic stitch, or PVA glue binding.
Prepare the Cover
Prepare the Cover: Cut your chosen cover material to the appropriate size, leaving a little extra space for folding over the edges.
Staple and Assemble
Staple Bind: Align the interior pages inside the folded cover and staple along the spine to bind everything together.
Finishing Touches
Add Finishing Touches: Decorate your planner cover with embellishments like ribbons, stickers, or washi tape. You can also add a personalized touch with your name or initials.
More DIY Planner & Notebook Tutorials
Enjoyed making this DIY planner journal booklet? Explore these other handmade planner and notebook projects:
DIY Half-Hidden Wire Notebook Create a professional wire-bound notebook with a hidden spine technique How to Make a DIY Lay-Flat Sketchbook Create a sketchbook with PVA binding that opens completely flat DIY Tarot Planner Box Tutorial Build a handmade planner box with wire-bound inserts and custom tarot cards DIY Booklet Binding Tutorial: Signature Binding Master the Coptic stitch for sewing professional booklets DIY Folding Gratitude Notebook Make a wire-bound gratitude journal with folding cover and moon theme Book Binding Methods Guide Compare wire, coil, PVA, and signature binding techniques
What you need to get started
 Chipboard / Book Board |  Guillotine Paper Cutter |  Cinch Binding Machine |
 Binding Wires |  Sticker Paper | Cardstock Paper |
