DIY Laser-Cut Notebooks: A Fun and Easy Project!
One of the most fun and beginner-friendly projects you can do with your laser is making custom notebooks and notebook covers! Whether it’s for a wedding guest book, a thoughtful Mother’s or Father’s Day gift, or just something special for yourself, creating personalized notebooks is a great way to get creative and explore new materials.
We’ll walk you through the steps — and we’ve even included a free file so you can get started right away!
Step-by-Step: How to Make a Custom Notebook
1. Decide on the Purpose and Design
Start by thinking about what your notebook is for. Is it a gift? A wedding sign-in book? A journal? Knowing the purpose will help guide the design, including the materials, colors, and personal touches you’ll add.
2. Choose Your Paper and Size the Notebook
Pick the paper you want to use — lined, dot grid, planner paper, etc. — and size your cover accordingly. We recommend making the notebook slightly larger than the paper so the edges are nicely covered. Pro tip: If your paper already has holes punched, it’ll be much easier to align everything when assembling your notebook!
3. Select Your Binding Style
You’ve got lots of options here: binder rings, ribbon, tape binding, even elastic or coils. Check out a few notebook binding videos online to see different methods in action, then choose the one you like best.
(For this file we used a small 3-ring binder rings and A6 size 6 ring binder paper)
4. Customize the File for Your Binding
Once you’ve chosen your binding method, update the file to match. If you're using two small 3-ring binder rings like we did, the included file is already good to go! But if you're using different paper sizes, more holes, or unique spacing, go ahead and tweak the file to make it your own. Now is also the time to add a clasp, magnet, or locking mechanism if you want to elevate the design.
5. Add Personalized Details
Get creative! Add names, dates, graphics, or meaningful quotes. Don’t forget to proofread and spell check before engraving — nothing ruins a custom gift like a typo!
6. Pick Your Material
We experimented with three different notebook styles using:
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COLORboard and Mocha Crocodile Faux Leather
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Acrylic
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Walnut Wood
Your laser cutter can handle a variety of materials, so have fun with it! Mix and match textures and finishes to see what you like best.
7. Test on Cardboard First
Before cutting your final materials, test your file on a piece of cardboard. It’s an inexpensive way to make sure everything lines up just right and looks the way you want.
8. Assemble and Share!
Once your test looks great, go ahead and cut your final materials and assemble the notebook. Don’t forget to take pictures of your finished creation and share it with us!
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Tag us on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok:
@craftclosetsupply -
Or upload your pics to our website gallery — we’d love to see what you made!
📎 Project Details
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Binding Method: Small 3-ring binder rings
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Paper Size: A6 6-ring binder inserts
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Free File Download: Get the file here
Have fun crafting your custom notebook — and let your laser creativity shine!
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