How to Build a DIY Planner with Printable Journal Pages

Guides and How-Tos

Apr 21

Do you ever find yourself searching for the perfect planner, only to settle for one that’s almost right? We've been there too. That’s why building your own DIY planner can be such a game-changer. With printable journal pages, you’re not stuck with someone else’s format—you get to create a system that actually works for you.

Whether you're organizing your schedule, setting goals, or tracking your habits, this guide will walk you through how to design a custom DIY planner that’s as unique as you are. ✨

This post may contain affiliate links. I would never recommend a product that I do not truly love. The price does not increase for you. Thanks for supporting Sunflower Child Designs. See my disclosure for more info.

Table of Contents 📖

Jump to a Section:

Why Build a DIY Planner?
Step 1: Choose Your Planner Format
Step 2: Gather Your Printable Journal Pages
Step 3: Print and Prepare Your Pages
Step 4: Assemble Your Planner Binder
Step 5: Personalize with Extras
Step 6: Plan Your Way!
Common Questions
Final Thoughts + Planner Tools
Love These Ideas? Pin Them to Spread the Inspiration!

Why Build a DIY Planner? 💡

Here’s why creating a DIY planner might be the best planning decision you make this year:

Total Customization – No more unused pages or missing features.
Budget-Friendly – Printable planner pages are a cost-effective alternative to buying new planners each year.
Eco-Conscious Options – Reuse covers, refill pages, and print only what you need.
Creative Fun – Add stickers, doodles, and washi tape to make it yours 🎨

Step 1: Choose Your Planner Format 📐

Your first big decision is the format. Think about how you'll use your planner day to day—and how often you’ll want to add or change pages.

Here are a few popular DIY-friendly options, with helpful pros and cons:

⭐ Planner Binder – Most Beginner-Friendly

✅ Recommended for ease of use!
🔗 Modern 3-Ring Binder, 2-Inch

✅ Uses standard 3-ring punch
✅ Easy to rearrange, remove, or add pages
✅ Great for Letter-size printables (8.5" x 11")
🔗 Modern 3-Ring Hole Punch
❌ Can be a bit bulkier than other options

Discbound Notebook

🔗 TUL Discbound Notebook, Letter Size

✅ Sleek and modern look
✅ Pages are easy to remove and rearrange
❌ Requires a special disc punch to add new pages
🔗 TUL Discbound Hole Punch

Hardcover Folder or File System

🔗 Five Star Expanding File Folder with Zipper

✅ Affordable and great for minimal setups
✅ Keeps pages clean and tidy
❌ Harder to reorganize or insert new sections over time

Thermal Binding Machine – For Focused Planners

🔗 Thermal Binding Machine (Cinch Style)
Great for creating 30-day challenges, fitness journals, or reflection planners that you don’t need to edit or rearrange.

✅ Gives your planner a clean, professional look
✅ Ideal for short-term or themed planners (30–40 pages)
❌ Pages are permanently bound—no rearranging or editing once sealed
❌ Not ideal for thick planners (usually holds up to 25–40 pages)

🗂️ Choose Your Paper Size

✨ Easiest size to start with (especially in the U.S.):
Letter Size – 8.5" x 11"
It works with standard home printers and is compatible with tons of printable planner pages—especially for beginners.

Other popular sizes:

Half Letter – 5.5" x 8.5"
A5 – 5.8" x 8.3"
A4 – 8.3" x 11.7"

📝 Note: Half Letter and A5 are very similar in size and often used interchangeably in DIY planning. Just double-check your printable file size before printing!

Step 2: Gather Your Printable Journal Pages 📄

This is where the real magic begins ✨ Browse through your favorite printable shop (like sunflowerchilddesigns.com 🌻) and choose pages that match your goals.

If you're just starting out, the All-in-One Life Planner is a fantastic beginner option. It includes essential layouts like monthly spreads, habit trackers, to-do lists, and more—all in one easy-to-use printable bundle. Perfect if you’re not sure where to begin but want a planner that covers everything 💛

Must-have printable pages might include:

Daily, Weekly, or Monthly Spreads
Habit Tracker Journal 🌱
Mood Tracker Printables 💭
Gratitude or Manifestation Journal Pages 🌙
Book Tracker Printables 📚
Weekly Budget Planner 💸
Brain Dump Templates 🧠
💛 Free Printables to Get You Started:
- Future Log – perfect for jotting down important dates
- Debt Tracker – to focus on those budgeting goals
- Habit Tracker – ideal for building routines and staying consistent
There’s no need to overcomplicate it—start with what you actually want to track and start with the basics and build from there based on what you actually want to track and plan.

Step 3: Print and Prepare Your Pages 🖨️

📝 If you’re brand new to printable planning, check out our Printable Planner Tips for Beginners for a simple and supportive place to start! It walks you through more in depth printer settings, paper choices, recommended printers and common beginner mistakes so you can feel confident from page one.

Once you’ve selected your printable journal pages:

Choose a Paper Type – Standard printer paper works fine, but a heavier paper (like 28-32 lb) will feel luxe and hold up better over time.
Decide on Black & White or Color – Color pages can bring joy, but monochrome saves on ink!
Print Double-Sided If Possible – For fewer pages and more eco-friendly planning.
Hole Punch According to Your Format – 3-hole punch for binders, disc punch for discbound systems.

Step 4: Assemble Your Planner Binder 📎

Now for the fun part: putting it all together!

Create Sections using tabs like: calendar, goals, trackers, wellness, notes, etc.
Add a cover page with your name or a motivational quote.
Slide your pages in by category. You might even want to include a Table of Contents.

Pro Tip: Use binder pockets or zip pouches to store stickers, sticky notes, or journaling supplies ✂️🖊️

Step 5: Personalize with Extras 🎨

This is your space—make it feel like you. Some fun additions:

Bullet Journal Fonts Practice Sheets 🖋️
Psst... these are included inside the All-in-One Life Planner! They're perfect for building your lettering confidence and adding style to your spreads.
Washi Tape + Stickers 🧷
Doodle Drawing Ideas pages
Manifestation Journal Prompts or self-love journal prompts
Seasonal Pages – think Christmas Gift List, December Bullet Journal Ideas or April spreads!

Let your creativity come out and make this a space you love to open each day 💖

Step 6: Plan Your Way! 📅

Now that everything is in place, start using your planner daily or weekly. You might even dedicate a time each Sunday to refresh your spreads, reflect on the past week, and plan ahead. ⏳

Make it a ritual that supports your goals and wellbeing—whether that’s tracking your sleep, managing your budget, or manifesting your dream life ✨

Common Questions 🧐

Do I need a fancy printer or expensive supplies to start?
Nope! A basic home printer and simple tools will do. You can always upgrade later if you fall in love with printable planning.

How do I keep my DIY planner organized?
Use labeled dividers, color-coded tabs, or planner sections (like calendar, goals, notes) to keep things neat. Revisit your layout every few months to make small tweaks as your needs shift.

Can I use this system for kids, students, or family planning?
Absolutely! DIY planners are super flexible. You can create homework planners, family schedules, meal planning systems, or even fun goal-setting trackers for kids.

What’s the difference between A4, A5, Letter, and Half Letter paper sizes?
A4 (8.3" x 11.7") is slightly taller and narrower than U.S. Letter (8.5" x 11").
A5 (5.8" x 8.3") and Half Letter (5.5" x 8.5") are very similar—both great for compact planners. Always check the printable size before printing to make sure it fits your format.

Can I mix different printable sizes in one planner?
Technically yes, but it’s usually best to stick to one size for a cohesive feel and clean edges. You can always create separate binders or folders for different layouts if you enjoy variety.

How many pages can I include in my DIY planner?
It depends on your format:

A 1-inch 3-ring binder can hold about 175 pages
Discbound capacity varies by disc size
Thermal binding typically holds 25–40 pages

What’s the best printer for planner printables?
A basic inkjet or laser printer will do the trick! For colorful layouts, look for good color quality and ink efficiency. If you’re planning to print often, a refillable ink system can save money long-term. A couple of great options are:

HP OfficeJet 8015e Printer - prints up to 28lb paper (104 GSM), has duplex printing, borderless option (eliminates leaving a white margin or border design, goes all the way to the edge of the page)

HP DeskJet 3755 compact but only prints up to 20lb paper (75 GSM) no duplex, no borderless option

Final Thoughts + Planner Tools You’ll Love 🌟

Creating your own planner from scratch is empowering, fun, and ultra-functional. Whether you want to track your habits, manage your time, or explore your inner world through journaling, a DIY planner is a beautiful tool for intentional living.

✨ Not sure where to begin? The All-in-One Life Planner is a great way to start building your dream setup. It’s filled with all the essentials—monthly calendars, habit trackers, to-do lists, and more—so you don’t have to piece everything together. It’s a beautiful foundation if you’re looking for a simple, all-in-one solution to get organized and stay inspired. 🌼

💛 Want to explore even more printable options? Head to the Sunflower Child Designs shop to browse bundles, trackers, and themed pages that fit your planning style. ✨

All-in-One Life Undated Planner Fillable PDF with 25+ Categories | for Organization, Budgeting, Home Management, Wellness, and more

$29.99

Common Questions About the All-in-One Life Planner

This planner helps by breaking big responsibilities into manageable steps. Instead of keeping everything in your head, you have a place to write it down, prioritize, and track progress. Plus, seeing your tasks, routines, and goals in one place creates a sense of control and balance.
There’s no wrong answer — daily is great, but even a few times a week can create momentum.
Yes! The planner is a fillable PDF. This means that you can prefill most of the text on a page. For example if you are using a weekly habit tracker you can prefill the habits that you are tracking so you do not have to handwrite them in every week. Simply reprint the page.
Absolutely! The All-in-One Life Undated Planner is flexible, whether you thrive on structure or need a place to organize your thoughts when life feels chaotic, this is meant for you.
Click here for the All-in-One Life Undated Planner.
Yes! This is a printable planner, meaning you can print only the pages you need and use them in a binder, disc-bound system, or even as loose sheets. The planner also includes print guides to help you get the best quality prints.
Absolutely! While it is designed as a printable planner, you can also use it digitally on apps like GoodNotes, Notability, or any PDF annotation tool for a paperless experience.
The planner is designed for U.S. Letter (8.5 x 11 inches), A4, and A5 sizes, giving you flexibility in how you use it. You can choose the size that best fits your needs, and if needed, adjust your printer settings to scale it accordingly.
Yes! The planner includes blank templates, lined paper, dot grid pages, and more, allowing you to add personal notes, sketches, or additional sections that fit your needs. Plus, vital sections are available as fillable PDFs, so you can conveniently type and organize information digitally before printing or using it on a tablet.
Definitely! Whether you’re new to planning or an experienced planner, this undated, flexible system allows you to start small and expand as needed. A Quick Start Guide is included to help you navigate the sections.
That’s the beauty of this planner! You only print and use the sections that work for you. Some people may focus on habit tracking, while others use it for goal setting, self-care, or journaling—it's designed to adapt to your lifestyle.
Yes! The planner includes a variety of guided prompts and challenges, such as the 30-Day Self-Care Challenge, 75 Soft & Hard Challenge, Gratitude Challenge, and various journaling exercises for self-reflection and motivation.
This planner is for personal use only, meaning you cannot resell or distribute it. However, you can purchase additional copies for family, friends, or colleagues who might also benefit from it.
Once you complete your purchase, you will receive a download link where you can access all the planner pages immediately. From there, you can print or use it digitally!