So, you just bought some gorgeous planner printables—yay! 🎉 But now comes the part no one talks about: actually printing, cutting, and punching them so they fit perfectly in your planner.

If you’ve ever wrestled with a printer that seems to have a mind of its own or ended up with pages that look like a Picasso painting instead of a sleek planner spread, don’t worry—you’re not alone. In this quick guide, I’ll walk you through the exact steps to take your digital downloads from screen to planner-ready perfection. No stress, just stickers.

Let’s do this!

Step 1: Download Your Printables

First things first, let’s get those files. In this tutorial, I'm using the Whispers of The Woods Decorative Weekly Planner Spread Printable Inserts. After purchasing your printables, you’ll land on a new page and have the download links right at your fingertips. You'll also receive a download link in your email.

🔹 If your file is a ZIP folder: Right-click and select “Extract All” to open it up.
🔹 If your file is a PDF: Just double-click it to open—easy peasy.

Now, take a deep breath—you’re officially one step closer to planner greatness.

Step 2: Printing your Printable Inserts (a.k.a. The Part Where Things Can Go Sideways)

Here’s where things get a little technical, but stick with me.

💡 Key Print Settings to Check:
✅ Print at 100% or Actual Size – Do not select “Fit to Page” unless you want stretched-out boxes and off-center layouts.
✅ Paper Type Matters – Regular white printer paper works fine, but for extra durability, consider using premium planner paper, sticker paper, or 110 cardstock if you want to get a little fancy.
✅ Double-Check Orientation – Portrait or landscape? Make sure it matches your file so you don’t end up with a sideways to-do list.

Once everything looks good, hit print and cross your fingers. (Kidding…mostly.)

Step 3: Trim Marks vs. No Trim Marks—What’s the Deal?

You might notice I provide files with and without trim marks. But what are they, and why does it matter?

✨ Trim Mark Files: These have little guide lines at the corners to show exactly where to cut. Perfect if you’re using a paper trimmer for precision. You can also use your scissors if you like fussy cutting.
✨ No Trim Mark Files: These are cleaner, with no cutting guides. Ideal if you’re using pre-cut paper.

Pick the version that works best for you—no wrong choices here, but I do highly recommend using the crop marks for better cutting accuracy.

Step 4: Cutting (Where Scissors Meet Determination)

Now, it’s time to cut. If you’re going for straight, crisp edges (and let’s be real, who isn’t?), a paper trimmer is your best friend.

🖤 Paper Trimmer: Clean, straight cuts in seconds—highly recommended.
✂️ Scissors: A little more effort, but totally doable if you have a steady hand.
🔪 Craft Knife & Ruler: For those who like precise edges (and don’t trust their freehand skills).

Take your time—wonky cuts happen, and this is a creative process so it's okay! Plus, if your cut isn't straight, you can always print them again.

Step 5: Punching Holes Like a Pro

You’re almost there! Now, let’s get those pages into your planner.

🌀 Disc-Bound Planner? Use a disc punch (Happy Planner users, this is for you!).
📖 Ring Planner? You’ll need a six-hole punch for perfect placement.
📂 Binder? A standard three-hole punch will do the trick.

Line it up, punch those holes, and admire your work. You just went from digital file to planner-ready magic. ✨

Punching for Flexibility: Wide-Open Planner Pages or Built-In Journaling Space?

Before you start hole punching, consider how you want your planner pages to function. If you love having your planner lay completely open for easy writing and viewing, try punching some pages on the right side and others on the left—this way, your spreads sit wide, giving you a seamless, full-layout view.

Prefer a little extra space for journaling, decorative planning, or brain dumps? Punch all your pages on the same side and use the blank backs for notes, gratitude lists, sticker layering, or doodles. This setup is perfect for creative planners who like a little extra breathing room between structured pages. However you punch it, make it work for your planning style!

Final Touch: Assemble & Enjoy!

Now that everything is cut and punched, pop those pages into your planner and do a little happy dance. You did it! 🎉

If this guide helped, let me know in the comments—or tag me in your planner setup on social media! And if anything went slightly sideways, don’t worry. We’ve all been there. Just blame the printer. 😉

📌 Save this guide for later!