VB Tutorial: DIY Planner Cover

Hey VillaBabes and VillaDudes,

Today I will be showing you how I made my beautiful With Love VBKit planner cover for my HP Classic that was showcased in the VB Facebook group. This project can be used for any disc bound planner and even as a dashboard! I used Adobe Photoshop for this project but I will show you how you can accomplish the same thing using Microsoft Publisher!

Disclaimer via the VB Store Policy regarding VBKit digitals: "VBKit digitals are an exclusive bonus for preordered VBKits. We have very strict Terms of Use regarding villabeauTIFFul digitals. Every digital download includes a PDF containing the Terms of Use. (These are also linked in the VB Store Policy for you to view.) Please review these terms in full. If there is a breach of these terms, you will not be allowed to purchase from www.shopvillabeautifful.com and your account will be terminated without notice. You can find more info on the VBKit digitals on the VBKit 101 page."


Materials:
VB Digital Clip Art
Printer
65 lb cardstock
Laminate sheets (I used 10 mil but 5 mill will work fine)
Laminator
Scissors or Paper Trimmer
Corner Rounder (optional)
Measurements for your planner
Hole/Disc punch (depending on the planner)

(Pre-heat your laminator - please be careful and do not leave it unattended)

Open Up Microsoft Publisher

Click “New”
Click “More Blank Page Sizes”
Click “Create New Page Size”
Enter a name, the page size (enter at least .5” more on top of your measurements to make the cover/dashboard a little bit larger) and set the margins to 0”
A window like this will open:
Next open the folder with your VB Digitals. Place the windows side by side so you can drag and drop.
Click and then “drag and drop” the digital clip art you would like on your covers into the Publisher window.
Use the corner handles (highlighted) to resize clipart.
When you click on the object, you will see the following mouse indicator that will alert you to move your object.
Continue to drag and drop as many flowers or clip art images as you would like. Once you add all the clip art(s) you want, you can now copy and paste to add more of the same images.
Continue to copy and paste as many times you would like to fill up the page.

As you move your clip art, you may see lines as shown below. They are guidelines that help you to line up the images.
If you would like to change the order of the clipart, click on the clipart, then click Format (toolbar), then choose “Bring Forward” or “Send Backward”
See below, I selected the Red Rose and clicked “Bring Forward.” This brought that specific clipart forward (on top of the other clipart)
(Trick) Once you have a column of clipart done, you can select all of the clipart (Ctrl + Mouse Click) and group them together. 
Once you have all of the clipart selected, Right click then click “Group”
This will allow you to move all of them as one object. You will also be able to copy and paste that group as well. 
Once you are done filling up the page, you can click File.
Click Print, and on the right hand side you will get a “Print Preview."
To select the paper type, print quality etc. Click Printer Properties.
With my printer I can change the paper type to Cardstock and Borderless Printing. If you don't have borderless printing don’t worry. Once you adjust and check your settings, click Ok.
You will be taken back to this screen. 
My 65lb cardstock is Letter sized, so I kept the paper size at 8.5 x 11 
Once all of my settings are correct I click Print.

Print two copies if you would like to make a matching Back & Front cover.
Here I am just checking to make sure the size is correct.
Cut the excess border.
Round the corners. I am using a We R Memory Keepers corner rounder, but you can also use scissors. 
Once you round the corners, place your paper into the laminate pouch.
At this point, feel free to add any additional elements you would like (die cuts, stickers, photos etc).
Run your project through the laminator.
Trim off the excess laminate without cutting into the air pocket and then run it through the laminator again. Once done, turn off the laminator.
Now round the corners to prevent sharp corners.
Now punch your cover. For the HP Classic cover, I am using a We R Memory Keepers handheld disc punch. 
Add your discs or add to your planner.
And there you have it, your very own VB planner cover or dashboard!

I decided to add my name in vinyl as a final touch.
Just an FYI you can also print your projects on vellum (with a laser printer)!

If you do not have a laser printer, you can always take your project to your local Staples or OfficeMax. 
If you have any questions, let me know. Thanks for reading! Hope you all enjoyed this DIY!
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1 comment

  • Stephanie Ambs: February 21, 2021

    Soooo cute!! I had no idea I could do things like this myself! Thank you for sharing!!

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