How to Bind Your Homeschool Planner

Once you’ve downloaded your homeschool planner, the next step is printing and binding it in a way that works best for your family. Whether you need something flexible or long-lasting, there’s a binding method that fits your homeschool style and your budget.

This guide walks you through three popular binding options: 3-ring binders, disc binding, and comb binding—plus helpful tips for printing and customizing your planner to meet your family’s needs.

Before You Bind: Consider Your Printing Needs

The Bloom and Vine homeschool planner includes 173 pages when printed single-sided. To reduce bulk, you can print double-sided, which brings the total down to 87 sheets.

If you’re printing a planner for each child or customizing a single planner by adding extra pages for multiple children, be sure to factor in those additional pages when choosing your binding method.

Planning for Multiple Children: One Planner or Separate Planners?

When homeschooling multiple children, you can either print a separate planner for each child or customize a single planner by adding extra pages to accommodate everyone’s needs.

• Separate Planners: Printing individual planners keeps each child’s schedule organized and manageable, especially if their subjects or routines differ.

• One Planner for Multiple Children: Adding extra pages for each child in a single planner reduces the number of planners but creates a thicker book. Use a sturdy binding like disc or comb binding, noting that comb binding is less flexible for rearranging pages.

Both options have their advantages—consider your family’s organization style and how much flexibility you need when deciding which works best for you.

How Page Count Affects Your Binding Choice

The number of pages you print plays a big role in choosing the best binding method:

• Minimize Bulk: Full-size planners can get thick. Disc and comb binding handle bulk better than binders and help keep your planner manageable.

• Maintain Flexibility: If you expect to swap out or add pages during the year, a 3-ring binder offers the most flexibility with minimal cost.

• Use Monthly Planning Sections: Some families prefer to keep only one month of planning pages in their planner at a time, removing past months and adding new ones as they go. This works especially well with flexible binding options like 3-ring binders or disc binding, helping keep your planner lighter and easier to handle throughout the year.

• Account for Extra Pages for Multiple Children: If you’re customizing one planner to use with multiple kids by printing extra pages, choose a binding option that can support the added thickness without becoming bulky or difficult to use.

Choosing Binding Sizes Based on Number of Pages

Picking the right size for your binder, discs, or combs helps keep your planner manageable and durable. Use this guide based on your total page count.

Use Divider Tabs or Sheets to Stay Organized

Divider sheets or stick-on tabs make it quick and easy to organize your planner by subject, child, or month. Both options work with any binding method and help you find what you need fast, keeping your homeschool routine simple and stress-free.

Binding Options

1. 3-Ring Binders — Budget-Friendly and Flexible

• Cost: $2–$10 for a binder

• Extras: $5–$10 for a 3-hole punch (if you don’t already have one)

• Best for: Families who want to easily add, remove, or rearrange pages

• Tip: Use hole reinforcement stickers to prevent tearing and extend page life

Pros:

• Highly customizable and easy to update

• Works with divider sheets and stick-on tabs

• Inexpensive and widely available

Cons:

• Slightly bulkier than other methods

• May feel less polished or professional

2. Disc Binding Systems — Sleek and Customizable

• Cost: $5–$15 for a pack of discs

• Disc punch: $20–$40 (one-time investment)

• Best for: Families who want a polished, reusable system that lies flat

Pros:

• Pages turn smoothly and lie flat

• Easy to add and remove pages

• Works with divider sheets and stick-on tabs

• More polished than 3-ring binders

Cons:

• Initial investment in a disc punch

• Punching takes longer than a standard hole punch

3. Comb Binding — Professional and Durable

• DIY at home: $40–$60 for a comb binding machine + ~$10 for combs

• In-store binding: $4–$6 per planner at office supply stores (e.g., Office Depot, Staples)

• Best for: Families who want a clean, sturdy, permanent binding — especially useful if you plan to comb bind other materials like workbooks for multiple children over several years

Pros:

• Professional look that holds up all year

• No loose pages once bound

• A comb binding machine can be a smart investment if you frequently bind materials year after year

Cons:

• Highest upfront cost if buying your own machine

• Not easily editable after binding