This is the best method on how to add pages to a spiral bound planner, so that the pages stay in. I can be done with a laminator, but it you don’t have one, use packing tape!
So you have a fancy new planner and it’s everything you dreamed of and more, right? Except it would be nice to have a goal tracker or perhaps a page dedicate to those brilliant ideas that you come up with at the most random times, then forget about 10 minutes later (that happens to you too?) Personalizing a planner that works for you is a tricky thing. Last year, I attempted bullet journaling, see this post, and it is fun and artistic and great if you have the time and dedication. This year my creative focus is on my lettering and doing something spectacular with that, so a bullet journal is out.
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I was sent a spiral bound planner from Purple Trail that I am loving. The size is perfect, it’s 6 x 8 inches, so it fits in my purse along with diapers, wipes, snacks, lipgloss, wallet and brush pens. Don’t judge, what do you have in your purse? Despite being smallish, it’s not too small. It’s smaller than my standard size Erin Condren planner, which I love, but I had an adorable ban.do one a couple years ago, and I used it for a week. It just wasn’t big enough to accommodate my life. Plus, it was hardbound, which means I really can’t add to it. One year I had a Webster’s Pages, actually two, because my dog ate the first one, and that was gorgeous as well. The issue with that was it was too bulky to keep in my purse. Yes, I’m that picky with my planners. No, I’m not that picky about much else. Well maybe how towels are folded. But that’s it. I think.
So I’ve looked on Amazon for punches for spiral bound planners and haven’t found anything that I am positive will do what I need it to, so I decided to make my own way. I came up with two ways of adding pages to a spiral bound planner, they are essentially the same but one uses a laminator and the other uses packing tape. I prefer the laminator method because the plastic is a little firmer, but if you don’t have a laminator the packing tape method will do.
Update: I found that the We R Memory Keepers Punch Board and Punch Accessory (you need both) matches the holes in my Erin Condren planner!
Supplies needed to add pages to a spiral bound planner
laminator pouch -the thicker the better this one is 5 mil
washi tape – optional, but adds thickness and decor
Take the edge of the paper you are adding and add a strip of the washi tape. This is totally optional, but it adds thickness, so the papers stays in the planner better. This is especially useful for thinner paper, and not as important for something like card stock. There are a variety of different widths of washi tape, with the typical width being 5/8 of an inch. The 3 millimeter width tape is perfect to go on the edge, but if you want a bolder edge, use the 5/8 inch. Or just wrap it around the edge. Your choice.
Check out how I make my own VERY durable planner cover…you are going to love it??
Cut a strip of the laminating pouch so that it fits along the edge of your paper, on top and a little wider than your washi tape. Use a little bit of the washi tape to tape it in place so it doesn’t move in the laminator. Feed it into the machine.
Using another sheet of paper from the planner as a guide, mark the places where the holes need to be punched. Punch the holes, then cut a little slit in each so that it can go into the spiral binding.
The packing tape method
If you are using the packing tape method, try to get the thickest packing tape you can find. The thickest one I found was the Scotch Heavy Duty Shipping Packaging Tape with has a thickness of 3.1 mil. Pull off a length of packing tape and stick it on a piece of waxed paper. The tape is going to be too wide, so it will need to be trimmed. This is super easy if you have a paper cutter, but scissors and a ruler will work just fine to. Cut the tape to the width you need to wrap around the edge of the paper, 1 inch wide will do, so you have a half inch on each side. At this point, do the same as with the laminated instructions, mark your holes, punch them and then add the little cuts. It will stay in your spiral bound planner well.
PIN THIS FOR LATER
This is so smart! I have been buying the ARC planner for a few years now – just so I could add pages. But, they aren’t very pretty like the one you displayed!
This is a super resourceful way to get pages into your coil bound book.