Make a Paper Pocket for Your DIY Planner

Use scrapbook paper to make a paper pocket for your DIY planner, Happy Planner, or any notebook. It’s handy for storage and organizing!

There are lots of ways to use a planner pocket. Pockets are great for storing supplies or important papers where you use them. Here are a few places to add a paper pocket.

• At the front of your planner to hold stickers or sticky notes
• With weekly pages to include receipts, notes, or lists
• In your budget binder (or finance section of your planner) to hold bills
• In a bullet journal or scrapbook to hold mementos

Make a simple paper pocket from scrapbook paper to fit your style. I made my planner pocket using 12×12-inch scrapbook paper so it would fit my 8.5×11-inch DIY planner. If you want to make a pocket for a smaller planner, you can simply trim your paper smaller to fit.

How to make a paper pocket

Supplies

• scrapbook paper
• ruler or straight edge
• pencil
• scissors
• 3-hole punch for ring binders (If your planner has more rings/discs, Happy Planner makes a punch for that.)
• craft glue

Instructions

1. Trim the paper height.

Start by trimming the scrapbook paper to be the same height as your planner pages. Remove a page from the rings and traced a line across the top. Alternatively, you could use a ruler and measure.

After you have the top edge marked with a pencil, use scissors to cut along the line.

2. Fold the paper and punch holes.

Next, fold the paper in half vertically. Be sure the open edge is on your left. Crease the folded edge.

If you have a smaller planner, make sure the pocket isn’t wider than your pages. If it is, trim the left edge to fit.

Line up the left edge with the hole punch and cut the holes.

3. Cut a diagonal opening.

Now take the ruler or the scrap paper and draw a line from the top right corner to the bottom left edge, just above the middle hole. You want enough space so that hole won’t be too thin and tear out.

Unfold the pocket and cut along the line. If you’re using double-sided scrapbook paper like I am, it shows off the design on the other side nicely.

4. Glue the pocket.

Open up the pocket and put glue along the bottom and up to the middle holes on the side. Fold it closed and press around to seal the edges.

Let the glue dry completely, then your pocket is ready to use. Once you’ve made one of these paper pockets, you’ll want to make a few more. They’re really handy for organizing and keeping track of small things.

More paper pocket ideas

This technique is pretty simple, so after you’ve made one you might want to make a few more in different sizes or shapes. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Cut the edge with a textured trimmer, such as a scallop, to create a decorative edge.
• Remove the top half on the front and back to make a shorter pocket.
• Use 2 sheets of paper to make the pocket double-sided (and thicker).
• Embellish a plain pocket with stickers, washi tape, or other art supplies.

What’s next? Try these other fun and creative ideas on One Mama’s Daily Drama:

• Easy Tassel Paperclip Bookmarks and Planner Clips
• 5 Awesome Tips for Using Your Planner
• Printable Task and Habit Trackers