Making your own insert booklets for the Midori Traveler's Notebook

[@lyllydd]

One stapling method I have seen that might work and is less expensive than a long arm or saddle stapler is to open up your regular stapler. Flip your booklet so that the cover is on top, pages on the bottom. Place an eraser under the spine, and staple through the spine into the eraser. flip the booklet back over, remove the eraser, and fold the staples down. Repeat for the rest of the stapling as needed.

[@GlentaGlass]

Ray I wanted to take this opportunity to say a HUGE thank you for your work and your time that goes into making these videos for "dummies" like me to learn this art. I found you by Debbie from Ephemera's Vintage Garden. I love this process and have made several beautiful Raydoris! Thank you for your kindness as well with all of your inserts and free downloadables on your blog! From the US - You Rock!

[@charlessavage5151]

Enjoyed both versions of making the booklets. Thanks for making the explanation of the sewn version easier. You are right, life is too short for complicated.

[@FloralGardener]

I punch the holes by using a telephone directory, opened out to somewhere in the middle. I put the spine of the booklet into the dip between the pages of the telephone directory and that holds it all in place. Much easier than using a pile of newspapers :)

[@thedeedoubleyou]

Thank you for sharing your modification! Great idea!

[@angeehorner2895]

Too funny. I was going to read other comments so I could use the right words that everyone else uses. I then without a blink so “No” I’m new with all of this and watched KZbin longer than I craft. But watching you and you’re technics we’re the most simplest to follow. For the beginner that I am “I say thank” Thank you again Angee Spelling has never been my strong point. 💻

[@MyPaperEnvelope]

I've just found your channel Ray and want to thank you for your amazing work and all the different templates and booklets that you share. It's priceless.

[@MarkWaltersphotography]

I love it Ray. Life is too short - awesome! Oh and thank you for the instructions.

[@musicalsele]

Love this video. I love your shortcuts to measuring and binding. Thanks for sharing this. :-)

[@joala84]

I write from Italy. your channel is the best.

[@almarma]

I'm a highly techie guy, but I'm getting really tired about organizing my life digitally, specially because of the dependency to whatever the owners do with the apps: Apple changed a great design to a "clean" but boring one with iOS 7, Google Calendars are boring, Evernote suddenly changed their policy and let a lot of free users out, etc. And I'll never own myself my data, and I'm really tired of moving from app to app as technology evolves. Yesterday I discovered this Midori "movement" :) and I'm really excited about it! It looks fantastic, and I'm pretty sure it feels and smells also fantastic (paper+leather=great smell :) ). I hope it will also help me focus, so I will give it a try soon :). Thank you Ray for your tutorials and your amazing templates in your site! You have a ton of them there for everybody :)

[@magpyeminifree5612]

Excellent instructions. Thank you. I am inspired to make gifts for the winter holidays.

[@scrapalongwithtracy]

Thanks for sharing this. I don't use a Midori but love small notebooks and this would be an amazing option to binding them. Also thanks for the amazing planner pages. I love having the option to test out multiple styles of planner pages because I like switching things around (every July or so) just to get a fresh feel of my planner.

[@montrealstars60]

What can I say? Awesome. Great tutorial! I've learnt so much with you. Thank you for sharing!

[@RayBlake]

@J.Smith about 16 sheets of A4, which makes a booklet with 32 double-sided leaves, 64 pages in all.

[@carolleewashington2920]

I really enjoyed this video. Very informative and I can't wait to start making these for myself. Thank you so much for all of your time and effort.

[@PrincessHoney]

Thank you so much! You are an absolute genius. I'm off to buy some bread boards to finally get my books to stay flat!

[@lindacolgan6412]

Ray wonderful video and wonderful inserts love your videos.Thank you so

[@sarahpatterson3742]

Thank you so much for providing the free bullet journal download...I am so excited to start using it! I have been doing hand-drawn for some time and appreciate this pre-printed version. Happy New Year!

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

It’s NOT for bullet journal. It’s for Traveler’s Company REFILLS. Huge difference. No, it’s NOT for bullet journals.

[@ricardosergio8388]

Great Tutorial Ray! Thanks for sharing!!

[@Moostery]

You know I got one of those expensive saddles staplers just because of this video lol

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

Oh no 😂

[@eli-qe3qk]

really helpful!! thanks a lot for the detailed step by step

[@kelley.cowley]

Thank you for all your time and effort in making this video! Much appreciated. :-)

[@lylylo613]

Thank you Ray! It was very instructive.

[@sarahfarr9649]

Your tutorials are great, thank you!!

[@vwood2]

Brilliant tips and strategies! Thank you.

[@gailsbookishthings5191]

Thank you for the helpful video and free inserts!

[@digupstuff]

AWESOME TUTORIAL HERE! I think instead of cutting the sides off like that, I would fold them over and make pockets out of them. TFS luv! ♥ dig

[@thedeedoubleyou]

Hey, that's a great alternate idea. Thanks for sharing!

[@SunshineLeclair]

awesome information ..... thanks for sharing ;) I paused the video and ordered a longarm stapler lol. Thanks again

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

Working well now, im 2023? Or it’s junk? Thanks! ❤

[@Bridgton1]

just got here and have been watching Ray make Midori's Seriously? why do people give thumbs down?

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

Not called Midori anymore. It’s Traveler’s Notebook now! 😊

[@carabouleau2951]

Enjoyed watching! Thanks.

[@lyllydd]

For punching stitching holes, if you don't have a punching cradle, you could place the spine on an old mouse mat, or place it inside an old phone book or a thick magazine.

[@carolinehonse35]

This is a wonderful video. Thanks for much.

[@jamiejj5581]

Thank you for this. I followed your tutorial and made my first Notebook insert.The only thing that didn't work for me was the rotary cutter. I ended up using a pen-knife to trim the edges.

[@DrScorpios]

Forget specialist staplers. Pierce the back where you want the staples with pairs of holes separated by 12mm (or whatever your staple length is). Insert an open staples by hand into the holes and fold over on the inside.

[@RayBlake]

Yes, that works, but is tiresome if you're making more than just the odd booklet. I also find that stitching or conventional stapling pulls the pages together in a way that this manual method tends not to.

[@DrScorpios]

Ray Blake I would guess that most of your viewers are not setting up a business making these, so hand stapling and/or sewing would be more relevant for them.

[@tiramisu2506]

Very helpful instructions, thank you so much :)

[@francoisbelangerboisclair]

You can also use a sewing awl. I use the speedy stitcher with the optional size 4 needle. It work great with upholstery thread. The advantage to own a sewing awl is you can repair material that are too thick for a normal sewing machine. Got one to repair my leather scandal. Small trick, if your thread is too soft for a sewing awl pass it on bees wax block.

[@vegknitter]

5 star tutorial. Thank you so much.

[@fludrbywest3886]

I did it !! I had the new Adobi DC , and then I kept scouring some of the Adobi forums and HP, finally I was able to get the options to be selected in the hpeprintcenter.com that would let me select duplex flip to short side! Yeaaaaaa! Oh happy Day! So for HP office jet pro 8600 you have to register with the hpeprintcenter.com I order to get the options to select duplex flip to short side. On my printer I had 2 side to 2side selected also and your little booklets printed perfect . Hope this helps others too.

[@yippiecahier9253]

Thank you, very helpful video!

[@greylady1958]

Thanks Ray this was really helpful :D

[@xLuCasanovax]

For the stitching you could still use newspaper and just put a blank paper over it.

[@tootooamy]

Thank you, Ray!!

[@Sturmhawke]

Excellent Ray, thanks. If possible could you create more Midori passport size booklets on your website. Thank you.

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

Not a good size, too small p. Try “regular” size for Traveler’s Notebooks!

[@journalingmylife]

So informative! Thankyou! :D

[@emiliehaugen7168]

Like this material ;)

[@precisionshooters]

LOVE IT!!!

[@jesusc6215]

Thanks

[@alinnachen]

Thanks for sharing Ray! Could you share where you got the stapler that can swing out one leg? What's the brand name?

[@RayBlake]

@GraceGeorge. That isn't a standard traveler's notebook size, and I don't make inserts in that size. I don't know what you mean by 'how could I measure for it for mine?'

[@jowombo]

+Ray Blake do you make templates for the passport size?

[@RayBlake]

+Josiah Wombacher I offer some for download on my blog. www.mylifeallinoneplace.com

[@jowombo]

oh okay thanks

[@LillianLincoln]

you rock! thanks for these vids :D I am new to midori world lol

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

It’s called Traveler’s company now 😉

[@mike_qbik]

Golden!

[@nvrumi]

Thanks +RayBlake for this instructional video. The saddle stapler is a pretty cool device, but I think that the sewn binding has a certain class all of its own. May I ask why you chose a three hole stitch over the five hole? I'm quite curious about that. The bookpress concept made me laugh. I already have an idea for a minor improvement when I make mine. I set up a print template that will output workout logs on half-letter pages. I then bought a ream of cheap copy paper and asked the print shop at Staples to cut the sheets in half. They feed through my laser printer just fine and it's easy to flip them over to print the other size, saving paper and space. The same (or a similar) principle will work for this project. But, I'll go have a look at your weblog to see how you do it. Again, thanks... :)

[@johnacsyen]

David Thompson 3 faster than 5. The awl used makes too large a hole.

[@evethecraftlady8843]

THANKS so much for sharing your processes! Wondering what staples you are using in your saddle stapler. I have an old one by swingline and they don't make the staples for it anymore...saddening...but maybe the staples you're using in yours will work? Hopeful!

[@RayBlake]

It takes just regular staples.

[@evethecraftlady8843]

Ray Blake I wish this was true..."regular staples." I too once thought this true but now I'm learning it's not true. I really want this stapler to work but, it seems they used maybe a different gauge wire to create the staples back when? So maybe you could look on your staple package and tell me the brand and staple model number example. ..swingline s.f. 4. Sorry for any inconvenience...and I'll understand if you really don't feel like dealing with this triva. All my best! Again thankx so much for all your contributions!

[@RayBlake]

Rexel Optima no. 56 (26/6)

[@evethecraftlady8843]

Ray Blake you're the BEST!!!!

[@БауржанНусупов]

HI. Where i can buy 8:24 min.?

[@quiltingjen]

Loved your videos. Could I please have the size of the travelers insert, I got 210mm but not the other size was it 110mm

[@RayBlake]

Yes that's right.

[@shanekavanagh3887]

Great video, thanks. What software do you use to create the journal design? And how do you set up the booklet printing format? Thanks!

[@RayBlake]

If you go and have a root around in my blog you'll find out about this. www.mylifeallinoneplace.com

[@tetchedistress]

Thank You

[@1959GreenGables]

Do you have any inserts for a personal size (3.75 x 6.75") travelers notebook? If not how could I measure for it for mine? Thanks.

[@captainnolan5062]

Why not use washers on the front (top) of your book press?

[@herwiendautami2840]

thank you!!

[@jowombo]

do you make templates for the passport size? @Ray Blake

[@albannefischer3971]

Hi Ray, I love you videos. I would like to make my own TN to use as a photo album. Which insert would you recommend? Thanks!

[@RayBlake]

+Albanne Fischer This one: www.mylifeallinoneplace.com/2013/09/make-photo-album-for-midori-travelers.html

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

Not the best use for Traveler’s Notebooks 😂 Just get a photo album. TN is NOT for that, obviously.

[@jt4988]

I've just bought a rotary cutter hoping for results like yours but found it very hard to cut through the few layers and my results were very untidy. Is there something I'm doing wrong?

[@RayBlake]

It does take practice. You need to press down hard both on the ruler and the cutter and use long, steady movements holding the blade tight to the edge of the ruler.

[@jjgeis]

Ray, is there any way that you could provide links to sites that would carry the tools (cutter, stapler, cutting mats, etc) that you utilize within the video? Thanks, John

[@RayBlake]

John Geis They're widely available. The last time I bought a cutting mat it was from Amazon. Ditto the rotary cutter. The long arm staplers are available in office superstores but the saddle stapler I had to get on eBay (search for that term and you'll find one.)

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

It’s 2023. None of links will work! 😂

[@MrsLiAka]

Ray thanks for this helpful tutorial !! Btw I wanna know if there's any easy way to print out the inserts in accelerate position and size...I have wasted almost 20 paper out of the wrong setting of printing .... Would u tell me which software u r using to create these inserts? Thank u so much!!

[@RayBlake]

I don't really know what you're saying. Most of my inserts are built in Word.

[@MrsLiAka]

Ray Blake sorry for my bad...

[@RayBlake]

Aka Li No problem. I'd like to understand

[@LoveIsInTheHouse]

I think this is great but what about the calendar pages they are upside down when I print out which means they wouldn’t work for my travelers notebook..

[@RayBlake]

Heather Harper then you’re doing it wrong. Which calendar pages are you trying to print. Email me if you like [e-mail]

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

Have ya not considered turning them 180°?! I’m curious if you went to any grade school, or a an illetirate refugee from a war zone 😂 Like, what the actual fuсk! 🤦🏻‍♀️🙄

[@DeepSouthDawn]

Can I ask where you found that insert? Thank you.

[@RayBlake]

Lilacs and Planning at my website www.mylifeallinoneplace.com

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

21x11 cm You should know that! 🙄

[@RayBlake]

@Alinna Chen. No visible branding. Search eBay for 'booklet stapler' or 'swivel stapler'.

[@fludrbywest3886]

I am having problems printing them in booklet form. I have a HP office jet pro 8600 and this should do everything and my dishes too, but it seam it has cut me short on dishes and printing in booklet form. Do you have any suggestions?

[@RayBlake]

***** Some ideas here: www.mylifeallinoneplace.com/2014/09/how-to-print-in-booklet-mode.html

[@Chris-Alia]

What brand rotary cutter do you use? Mine won't cut clean like that. Thanks.

[@RayBlake]

Nothing special, just a generic one.

[@lyllydd]

Have you changed the blade recently? I was using a fiskars paper trimmer that used standard rotary blades, so I got new ones from the tool aisle at the fabric store. You have to change them pretty often with paper and cardstock -- the blades get dull awfully quickly.

[@GregBernard12]

How do you spell the name of that spike tool that punches the holes?

[@RayBlake]

+Greg Bernard That is an awl.

[@snj9125]

Can anyone give me some tips or hints about cutting straight and well? I have a brand new Fiskers rollercut, and I still can't seem to cut straight. Am I trying to cut through too many pages at once? (30) Is it the paper? Too thick? Or just me? I even clamped the ruler down on top with two vices along the edge of my table to hold it straight! I just can't cut the paper straight. :( I even tried with a straight boxcutter and it seems like no matter what, the blade angles sideways. I end up with okay corners, but the middle is all bulgy and frayed.

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

Get a proper guillotine for paper cutting. Can’t make diy inserts aesthetically pleasing without it.

[@mcwicker]

How do you print to edge on your covers?

[@RayBlake]

Not all printers can. Typically, inkjets designed as photo printers will be able to print right to the edge, but this may be a preference you have to set in the printer properties.

[@JuanDiegoFilippiQuan]

Hi Ray. I've just get a TN for Christmas. It´s not Midori size but an A5 size. Is there a way to adapt your printables?

[@RayBlake]

At my site you will find A5 Filofax insert sets. If you print those in booklet mode they should work well for you.

[@JuanDiegoFilippiQuan]

Ray Blake Thank you very much. Have a nice day

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

Why would you waste your cash on some fake? Are you into fake сrар?! Do ya own a fake uggly LV purse too? 😂 Also, what the fuсk is this “Xmas”, why are you warshiping humans too?! That’s a HUGE sin!!! What is WRONG with YOU? 🤦🏻‍♀️ Get your $hit together, loser!

[@nope1515]

What paper weight do you reccomend for printing?

[@RayBlake]

Quality is more important than weight. Use the lightest you can. 80gsm is fine but if you can find good quality 70gsm that's better.

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

Most papers don’t have listed “weight”. Test things! There’s no other way.

[@LoneSpirit]

Where can I get the template?

[@RayBlake]

Peter N That one and others at www.mylifeallinoneplace.com

[@ricardoalmeida9926]

What paper do you recommend for the booklets?

[@RayBlake]

+Ricardo Almeida Any paper you like writing on. Don't make it too thick, though. Personally I use regular 80gsm office laser paper.

[@ricardoalmeida9926]

Thanks a lot for the answer. And for the content as well!

[@brandika]

+Ray Blake Does this type of paper work well with fountain pens?

[@ricardoalmeida9926]

+Brandika Sengco depends. I find HP colorjet 90gsm to be reasonable and unexpensive ( compared to the alternatives) to use with fountain pens, very little feathering and bleedtrough

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

Depends on your applications. Write? Sketch? Plan? Draw? Paint in watercolour? Do you require plain, grid, lined, etc..for refills? Do you know how to bind books? Do you need a custom refill that’s not sold? …. Many questions to consider? Think again ❤

[@sadie30788]

What type of printer paper do you use ?

[@RayBlake]

80gsm laser paper

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

Printer paper is horrible (worst I’ve found) quality. I’d pick something better. I hope you did! Travelers Notebook still good, btw? Helli from August 2023 ❤

[@sdfasdfxc]

Can you maybe write down all the things you could need? Im from germany and i don't know how to write alle the words :)

[@RayBlake]

You need paper, card, then either a saddle stapler or an awl, needle and strong thread. I use beading thread.

[@sdfasdfxc]

thank you very much

[@MooInShades]

why not just use a stapling gun? no long arm needed, just a hard surface underneath, and you can use U shaped staples which hold much more paper sheets together

[@RayBlake]

That's a fair question to ask a person who already owns a stapling gun. I don't.

[@etabetapi]

+Ray Blake with all the money spent on the tools used in this video i think 11 bucks on Amazon wouldn't kill you

[@RayBlake]

+etabetapi That's about what I spent on a long arm stapler. I'm more than happy with that.

[@oleksiisysak4399]

For all of you who is interested in proper planning and note-taking, take a look at this campaign: kck.st/2fvMOyZ