Personalizing your DIY notebook can be a deeply satisfying project, especially when using beautiful, hand-altered papers like Momigami. In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through the steps of creating a notebook with a stunning custom cover and personalized interior pages. Whether you’re looking to make a practical journal, a unique gift, or simply want to experiment with altered paper techniques, this guide is for you.
Materials Needed
To start, gather the following materials for your DIY Notebook: See Amazon product listing at the end of this post.
- Momigami paper or any other altered or dyed paper (I used a Momigami-treated National Geographic CitraSolv page)
- PVA glue (or any strong white glue)
- 8.5 x 11-inch paper(24 lb or 32 lb for interior pages)
- I used 6 sheets of paper (3-lined & 3-graph) for the inside of the notebook. You could create multitudes of printable templates in Canva for your notebook.
- Bristol paper (80 lb)for the notebook cover (9 x 12 inches)
- The inside of the cover was personalized in Canva.
- Cutting tools (ruler, craft knife, cutting mat)
- Bone folder (for crisp folds)
- Corner cutter (optional, for a finished look)
- Printer and design software (I used Canva for designing the interior pages)
Personal Insights and Applications
I’ve been making little DIY notebooks for a while now, but I struggled to find a good size that fits my specific needs. After trying out different designs, I realized that the beauty of personalized notebooks is that they reflect exactly what you want in terms of size, material, and design. For this project, I chose to use Momigami paper for the cover because of its texture and durability, and I customized my interior pages using Canva to add a mix of blank, lined, and graph pages.
Field Notes notebooks were my inspiration, but I wanted something that resonated more with my creative style and allowed me to use the papers I’ve spent time altering. Let’s dive into creating your personalized pocket notebook!
Step-by-Step DIY Notebook Instructions
Step 1: Creating the Notebook Cover
- Choose Your Cover Paper: I’m using a Momigami-treated page from a National Geographic magazine, altered using the CitraSolv technique. If you don’t have this, you can use any altered paper, like dyed paper or marbled paper, for a unique cover.
- Cut the Cover to Size: Your cover can be slightly larger than the final size of the notebook. I’m aiming for a final notebook size of 3.5 inches wide by 5.5 inches high, so I cut the cover paper to 7 inches wide by 5.5 inches high.
- Prepare the Bristol Paper: This will give the cover some weight. I used 9 inches x 12 inches of Bristol paper.
- Glue the Cover: Using PVA glue, glue the altered paper (Momigami in this case) onto the Bristol paper. Make sure the paper is smooth, without losing the texture of the Momigami. Let it dry before moving to the next step.
Step 2: Designing and Printing the Interior Pages
- Choose Your Layout: I designed my pages in Canva, incorporating lined, blank, and graph paper, which was printed on 24 lb paper. The dimensions for each sheet were 7 inches wide by 5.5 inches high before folding.
- Print the Pages: I printed 3-lined sheets and 3-graph sheets. Cut down the stack of paper to 7 inches x 5.5 inches. I created inside cover material in Canva too. I made small monthly calendars for October, November, and December. If you don’t use Canva, you can create a free account and design and print any combination of lined, blank, or graph paper that suits your needs.
Step 3: Cutting and Folding the Interior Pages
- Cut the Pages: Using a ruler and a sharp craft knife cut the printed pages down to size (7 inches wide by 5.5 inches high). I found that cutting multiple pages at once helps speed up the process.
- Fold the Pages: Fold each page in half. Use a bone folder to ensure crisp folds. These folded pages are called signatures, and you’ll be assembling them into your notebook shortly.
- Trim the Corners (Optional): If you want a polished finish, use a corner cutter to round the corners of the pages and the cover. If you desire to have rounded corners on your notebook, be sure to trim before you assemble your notebook.
Step 4: Assembling the Notebook
- Arrange the Pages: Once the pages are cut and folded, stack them inside each other to form the body of the notebook. If you’re using a mix of lined, blank, and graph pages, arrange them in the order you prefer.
Step 5: Binding the Notebook
- Bind the Notebook: There are several methods you can use to bind the notebook—stapling, stitching, or even using an elastic band. In this tutorial, we’ll go with stapling for a clean and sturdy finish. Simply staple along the spine, ensuring the pages and cover are firmly secured.
- Trim the Edges: After folding, the pages might extend slightly beyond the cover due to how the paper bunches when folded. Trim the edges using a craft knife and ruler to ensure a neat finish. BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN USING YOUR CRAFT KNIFE.
Step 6: Adding Finishing Touches
- Press the Notebook: Once assembled, press the notebook under a heavy book for a few hours to ensure the pages lie flat.
Project Time
Making a DIY notebook is a quick project that can be completed in around 1 to 2 hours, depending on how much detail you want to put into the cover design and interior pages. It’s a great project for a weekend afternoon, and the result is a notebook that is uniquely yours.
Conclusion
Creating your notebook allows you to personalize it in ways that store-bought options can’t match. Using hand-altered papers like Momigami brings a unique texture and aesthetic to the notebook. Whether using it to track projects, jot down ideas, or simply as a daily journal, this DIY pocket notebook is a fantastic way to showcase your creativity.
If you found this tutorial helpful, feel free to share it with fellow paper craft lovers or leave a comment with your thoughts. And if you’d like a video tutorial on how to create the designs in Canva, let me know—I’d love to create that for you!
- Amazon Associate Link: ( I participate in the Amazon Associate program and receive a small commission for each purchase made through the links provided at no extra charge to you.)
Sax Sulphite Drawing Paper, 80 lb, 9 x 12 Inches, Extra-White, Pack of 500 – 053943
https://amzn.to/3TCahUF
Paper Corner Rounder 3 in 1 (R4mm+R7mm+R10mm)
https://amzn.to/3zZnjFe
Universal PVA Bond 501 500ml EVBPVA05L
https://amzn.to/4890J9D
HP Papers | 8.5 x 11 Paper | BrightWhite 24 lb |1 Ream – 500 Sheets| 100 Bright | Made in USA – FSC Certified | 203000R
https://amzn.to/3zNjDqd
HP Papers | 8.5 x 11 Paper | Premium 32 lb | 1 Ream – 250 Sheets | 100 Bright | Made in USA – FSC Certified | 113500R
https://amzn.to/4dJ94SJ
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