If you’ve ever purchased a printable planner or are considering purchasing one, you may be worried about how to print it properly and what paper sizes to use.
There are many more questions, like the many sizes and options you can print out on your printer (or at a local shop).
This guide will cover everything regarding the printable planner sizes, paper sizes, and best uses for each size.
Why Choose Printable Planners?
Printable planners are a great choice since you can adapt them to your planning style and lifestyle.
You can select from a variety of designs, formats, and sizes, to find the perfect planner for your needs.
Here are some key reasons to choose printable planners:
- Customization: Design a layout that works just for you.
- Cost: Print only what you need, avoiding waste from unused sections in pre-printed planners.
- Portability: With sizes like A4, A5, A6, B5, and more, you can choose a planner that fits into your bag.
Benefits of Printable Planners
| Feature | Printable Planners | Pre-Made Planners |
|---|---|---|
| Customization | Full customization of layout, design, and format. | Limited to pre-determined formats and designs. |
| Cost | Affordable, especially for multiple printings. | A wide range of sizes available to print. |
| Flexibility in Sizes | A wide range of sizes is available to print. | Usually comes in standard sizes only. |
| Environmental Impact | Only print the pages you need, reducing waste. | May result in unused sections and paper waste. |
| Portability | Choose compact or large formats based on preference. | Limited to the size of the purchased planner. |
| Frequency of Updates | Easily updated with new templates or layouts. | Requires purchasing a new planner annually. |
Customization
Printable planners allow you to create layouts that meet your specific needs. Mix and match templates – weekly, daily, or monthly – to tailor your planner for meal tracking, fitness goals, or project management. Add personal touches like your name or favorite colors for a unique flair.
Cheap
Printable planners are budget-friendly. Purchase digital files once and print as many copies as you need, allowing for seasonal updates without being tied to a single design. You can choose different paper types, from standard printer paper to more durable options.
Flexibility
With a variety of sizes available, you can choose a planner that fits your lifestyle, whether compact for on-the-go or larger for your desk. Plus, you can customize the binding method to suit your preferences, whether ring-bound, disc-bound, or stapled.
Understanding Printable Planner Sizes
One of the best features of printable planners is the range of sizes available whether you prefer something compact or need a larger page for detailed planning.
| Size | Dimensions (in) | Best for | Portability | Writing space |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | 8.3 x 11.7 | Professionals, students, detailed planners | Low | High |
| A5 | 5.8 x 8.3 | Daily personal planning, bullet journaling | High | Moderate |
| A6 | 4.1 x 5.8 | Quick notes, to-do lists, pocket planners | Very High | Low |
| B5 | 6.9 x 9.8 | Students, creatives, visual planners | Moderate | High |
| B6 | 4.9 x 6.9 | Compact personal planners, task lists | High | Moderate |
| Letter | 8.5 x 11 | Office work, home planners | Low | High |
| Half Letter | 5.5 x 8.5 | Daily planners, portable work planners | High | Moderate |
| 7x9in | 7 x 9 | Balanced planning, goal-setting | Moderate | High |
Here’s a breakdown of the most popular sizes you might consider:
A4
- Dimensions: 8.3 x 11.7 inches
- Best for: Professionals and students who need ample space for detailed note-taking or task lists.
The A4 size is the international standard, perfect for those who love a spacious canvas for planning.
Its larger size allows you to include multiple sections on one page, making it great for daily schedules, task lists, and notes.
Plus, it aligns with standard printer sizes, making printing hassle-free – ideal for home or desk use.
A5
- Dimensions: 5.8 x 8.3 inches
- Best for: On-the-go planning, easily fitting in bags or purses, and daily to-do lists.
A5 planners offer a great balance of portability and writing space.
They’re compact enough to carry but large enough for daily tasks.
Many people love A5 for personal planning, as it’s lightweight and versatile, perfect for goal setting or meal planning.
A6
- Dimensions: 4.1 x 5.8 inches
- Best for: Pocket planners, perfect for quick notes or minimal daily plans.
If you need something more compact, A6 planners are a fantastic choice.
They’re ideal for minimalists or anyone who just needs a quick jotter for to-do lists or important reminders.
Their size makes them easy to carry in your pocket or purse.
B5
- Dimensions: 6.9 x 9.8 inches
- Best for: More spacious than A5 but still portable, ideal for students or creatives.
B5 planners provide a bit more space than A5 while remaining portable.
This size is great for students who need room for lecture notes or artists looking for sketch space.
It allows for creative layouts and is perfect for journaling or vision boards.
B6
- Dimensions: 4.9 x 6.9 inches
- Best for: Smaller but practical, great for compact daily planning.
B6 planners offer a nice middle ground between A6 and B5.
They give you more room than A6 while remaining easy to carry.
This size works well for daily planners or task tracking in a portable format.
Letter and Half Letter
- Letter Dimensions: 8.5 x 11 inches
- Half Letter Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5 inches
- Best for: US-standard sizing, useful for those who prefer larger templates for home or office planning.
Letter size planners are a go-to in the US, fitting standard printer paper sizes perfectly. They’re great for professionals who need to organize meeting notes or presentations.
Half Letter planners offer a more portable version, perfect for those who want a slightly smaller planner.
7×9 Inches
- Dimensions: 7 x 9 inches
- Best for: A balanced choice between compactness and writing space, suitable for journaling or detailed plans.
The 7×9-inch planner strikes a great balance.
It offers more room than A5 while still being portable, making it ideal for goal-setting or journaling without the bulk.
| Planner Size | Recommended Paper Type | Printer Settings | Additional Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| A4 | Standard copy paper (80-90 gsm) | Default size, portrait layout | Common size, prints easily on most printers with no resizing required. |
| A5 | Premium paper or cardstock (100+ gsm) | Set to A5 paper size | Choose double-sided printing for compact binders; ideal for daily planners. |
| A6 | Lightweight paper (70-80 gsm) | Scale down A4 to A6 in settings | Great for pocket planners, but ensure to print with a high resolution to maintain clarity. |
| B5 | Thick, durable paper (120+ gsm) | Adjust paper size to B5 | Best for creative projects or notes, thicker paper ensures durability for daily use. |
| B6 | Lightweight paper (70-80 gsm) | Set custom size or scale down | Use for compact planners; opt for borderless printing if possible for a neat finish. |
| Letter | Standard printer paper (80 gsm) | Default US Letter size setting | Print borderless for a cleaner look, particularly for planners with images or graphics. |
| Half Letter | Thicker paper for durability (100 gsm) | Set to “Half Letter” or custom | Ideal for portable planners; make sure to print in landscape or portrait as needed. |
| 7x9in | Premium paper (100+ gsm) | Custom size, adjust margins | For journal or goal-setting, use high-quality paper to ensure longevity and professional look. |
Printable Planner File Formats
Printable planners also come in different file formats. The most common are PDF, PNG, and JPEG.
We offer our products in PDF and PNG file formats to ensure maximum printing quality.
| Format | Best for | Features | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| PDF (No Crop Marks & Bleed) | Home or standard printing, quick and easy use. | High-quality, standard size, ready to print without extra setup. | Casual use, home office use. |
| PDF (With Crop Marks & Bleed) | Professional printing, precise trimming. | Includes crop marks for trimming and bleed to prevent white edges on printed pages. | Professionals, print shops. |
| PNG | Digital planning or creative customization. | High-resolution image files, ideal for digital use or flexible printing; easily customizable. | Creatives, designers. |
PDF Format
PDF planners are perfect for high-quality printing, offering you two options:
- Without Crop Marks and Bleed: This version is ideal for home or office printing. It provides a clean layout without any extra settings, making it easy for you to print at standard sizes without complications.
- With Crop Marks and Bleed: If you’re looking for professional printing, this version includes crop marks for trimming guidance and bleed to ensure the design extends to the edge of the paper. This option is great for achieving a polished, professional finish.
Both PDF formats allow you to print your planner as many times as you like and work seamlessly with digital planners on tablets, giving you easy zoom and note-taking capabilities.
PNG Format
If you prefer a more interactive planning experience, you can choose planners in PNG format. These high-resolution images are perfect for:
- Digital Planning: PNG planners integrate smoothly with note-taking apps or digital planning software like GoodNotes, Notability, or OneNote. You can easily import the pages and customize them with your handwriting or digital tools.
- Custom Printing: If you want control over print quality, size, and layout, PNG files offer great versatility. You can resize them, incorporate them into different projects, or print specific sections without losing quality.
The PNG format also allows for creative modifications, making it ideal for blending planning with artistic expression.
Essential Tips for Printable Planners
Several important factors can help you achieve the best results and maximize their usefulness when selecting printable planners.
| Mistake | Solution |
|---|---|
| Printing the wrong size | Double-check your printer settings and ensure you have selected the correct paper size. |
| Low-quality prints | Use high-resolution files and adjust printer settings to “High Quality” or “Best” for sharper prints. |
| Forgetting to back up files | Store your planner files on cloud storage or an external drive to avoid losing them. |
| Using the wrong paper type | Choose thicker paper or cardstock if you want more durability, especially for frequently used pages. |
| Not utilizing crop marks for trimming | For professional-looking planners, use PDF versions with crop marks and bleed for precise cutting. |
Printer Settings and Paper
To ensure high print quality, adjust your printer settings and choose the right paper:
Printer Settings:
- Always select the correct paper size (A4, A5, etc.) in your printer’s settings before printing.
- For planners with vibrant colors or images, opt for high-quality print settings.
- Use borderless printing for designs needing to extend to the edges.
Paper Type:
- Standard paper (80-90 gsm) is fine for everyday use, but premium paper or cardstock (100+ gsm) offers more durability.
- Matte paper provides a smooth writing surface, while glossy paper enhances planners with images.
Choosing the right paper and settings will elevate your planner’s professional appearance.
Binding Options
Once printed, consider how to organize and bind your planner:
- Ring Binders: Punch holes and store pages in a binder for easy access and flexibility.
- Spiral Binding: Local print shops can spiral-bind your pages for a polished look.
- Stapling or Clips: For a few pages at a time, stapling or using binder clips is quick and easy.
Scaling and Resizing
One significant advantage of printable planners is adjusting the size:
- Scaling Down: To print a larger planner (like A4) at a smaller size (like A5), set your printer to scale down. Be cautious, as reducing size too much may make text harder to read.
- Scaling Up: For a larger version, ensure the file resolution is high enough to avoid pixelation. PNG files are ideal for scaling up.
Eco-Friendly Benefits
Using printable planners can positively impact the environment:
- Print What You Need: Print only the pages you will use, reducing paper waste.
- Digital Templates: Use the PNG format for digital planning, saving paper and allowing use on apps like GoodNotes.
File Storage
Properly storing and organizing your planner files is essential:
- Digital Backup: Save a digital copy of your planner files on your device or cloud storage for easy access.
- Organize by Category: Create folders by planner type (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly) to keep everything organized and accessible.
