• HOME
  • Planning
    • Planner Newbie
      • New to planning? Start here
    • Planning Tips & Inspiration
    • 52 Planning Systems in 52 Weeks
      • My weekly spreads
    • Planner Index
    • Planner Reviews
      • Horizontal Weekly
      • Horizontal 1 Page Weekly + Notes
      • Vertical Weekly
      • Hourly Planners
      • Categories Weekly
      • Daily Planners
      • Discbound Planners
      • Teacher Planners
      • Planner Roundups
      • Happy Planner (MAMBI)
      • Budget Planners
    • Planner Comparisons
    • Bullet Journal
      • Bullet Journal Reviews
      • Bullet Journal Spreads
      • Bullet Journal Tips
    • Planner pens
    • Highlighters
    • Planner Stickers
    • Digital Planning
    • Household Binder
    • Stationery Shopping
    • Rachael’s Favorites
    • Blogging & Online Business
  • Graphic Design
    • Photoshop Tutorials
    • Microsoft Word
    • Microsoft Excel
    • Canva
    • Silhouette Studio
    • PicMonkey
  • SHOP
    • Shop at Etsy
    • Online Store
    • Graphic Design Resources
    • ECOURSES
    • Ebooks
      • 54 Mistakes Etsy Sellers Make (And How to Fix Them)
      • 1200 Blog Post Ideas
        • 1200 Blog Post Ideas (Exclusive Download Content)
      • 200 Blog Post Title Prompts (For Any Type of Blog)
        • 200 Blog Post Title Prompts (Exclusive Download Content)
    • Feedback & Testimonials
    • Planner Supplies (my sister’s shop!)
    • Shop my favorite planner supplies on Amazon
  • Learn
    • ECOURSES
      • Free Graphic Design Video Tutorials Library
      • How to Make Planner Stickers
      • How to Make Printables in Photoshop
      • How to Make Printables in Microsoft Word
      • How to Make Printables in Microsoft Excel
      • How to make digital planners and notebooks in Microsoft PowerPoint
      • How to Make Labels in Photoshop
      • How to Make Patterns in Photoshop
      • How to Make Party Printables
      • How to Write Product Descriptions
    • Ebooks
      • 54 Mistakes Etsy Sellers Make (And How to Fix Them)
      • 200 Blog Post Title Prompts (For Any Type of Blog)
      • 1200 Blog Post Ideas
  • FREE
    • FREE Printables
    • Free Printables Library – Subscribers Login
  • Travel
    • Travel Planning
    • Europe
    • Australia & New Zealand
  • About
    • Browse All Posts
    • FAQ
      • What is a Printable? What happens when I purchase a printable from you?
      • Printing Tips
      • Printable Planner Stickers
      • Downloading Files
      • How to Open Zipped File Folders
      • What does EDITABLE mean?
      • Monogram Etiquette

All About Planners

Printable planners to organize your home, business and life!

August 22, 2017

Arcing my Plum Paper Planner – everything you need to know if you’d like to try it yourself!

I’m a huge fan of the Arc system and the Plum Paper Planners so I thought, why not combine the 2?

This is not a sponsored post. I purchased all items myself and all opinions are my own.

Arcing my Plum Paper Planner

Plum Paper have many different planner layouts (I may or may not own 7 of them…) – their planners are simple, functional, affordable and they have reasonable shipping rates to Australia (rare for American planner companies!) However, their planners are coil bound. Coil binding is ok (it’s my second favorite type of binding), but nothing beats the flexibility of being able to add, remove and rearrange pages the way the Arc discbound system does.

Related: Why I use the Arc Planner instead of binders

Update: Plum Paper now offer the option to have the pages discbound. However, they do not specify which discbound system the pages will be punched for. Therefore I still recommend requesting the pages unpunched and then punch them yourself with the discbound system of your choice.

Some disc binding systems to consider:

  • Guide to Discbound Planners & Frequently Asked Questions
  • ARC by Staples versus MAMBI – Which discbound system is better?
  • Where to find discs to make a discbound planner or notebook (downloadable comparison)
  • MAMBI Happy Planner Discbound Punch versus the ARC (are they compatible?)

arcing the plum paper planner tutorial discbound system why i prefer it to coil 3 ring binders pros and cons review supplies tools organization planning

Why I prefer the Arc System

  • The discs don’t get in the way when writing and you can fold the notebook back on itself

 

  • The discs don’t cut into the page much so it gives you a wider margin and makes it easier to write on the page

 

arcing the plum paper me planner pros and cons coil binding custom personalised diy planner discbound arc versus happy planner mambi punch which is better

  • I can easily remove pages (without damaging them) from one Arc notebook and transfer them to another notebook that has the Arc discs

 

  • I can also transfer pages within the same notebook

 

  • Comes in A5 and A4 size (full page and half page size)

 

  • Has accessories such as plastic sleeves, pocket folders and zip-lock pockets

 

  • Sturdy – I use the leather covers. They’re expensive but they last ages (I’ve been using the same ones for about 3 years now). The less expensive poly covers feel a bit cheap

 

  • The coils last a long time – I’ve never had any coils break and I’ve been using the same ones for years

 

  • You can punch pages smaller than the size of the notebook i.e. if you purchase the letter size version, you could punch half size pages (on the shorter side) or small lists

Related: Planner Organization: Why I use the Arc Planner instead of binders

To enlarge the screen of the video, click the square icon in the bottom right hand corner of the video (it will say ‘full screen’ when you hover your mouse over the icon).

For more planner related videos, subscribe to my YouTube channel 

review of the arc planner punch by staples plannerprintable punch discbound notebook versus levenger happy planner mambi

Tips on Arcing your planner

  • When you purchase your planner from Plum Paper (or another planner company) – ask them to leave the pages unpunched – this way you don’t have to remove the coil plus you don’t want holes already on the page as when you re-punch it with the Arc there’ll be too many holes and it won’t stay in the notebook

 

  • I used the 8.5 x 11″ page size setting which worked great with the Plum Paper Planner which is approx 7″ wide x 9″ high

 

  • Always do a test punch on a piece of scrap paper first, then place it in front of the paper you want to punch to make sure the holes line up where you want them to go

 

  • I started from the back of the planner and worked my way to the front

 

  • I punched 4 pages at a time, 1 divider at a time, 1 cover at a time, and 1 laminate cover at a time

 

  • If in doubt, use the larger ring size. For the 18 month planner I showed in the video I used the 1.5″ discs. If you’re ARCing a 12 month planner I still recommend using the larger disc size, especially if you plan using stickers as these will add bulk to your planner

 

  • There was a slight difference when punching with a slightly wider space between the edge of the page and the first disc. I chose to put this larger space at the top of my planner because if I’m quickly flipping through the pages they’re less likely to fall out (as I turn the page from the top corner not the bottom)

 

  • Discs come in different colors including black (which is what I use as it looks good with any color), as well as hot pink

Related: Plum Paper Planners Haul & Review (better than the Erin Condren?)

Note: The Happy Planner punch from MAMBI is cheaper but not as strong. While punching through the thick laminate cover didn’t sound the greatest it didn’t break the machine – I Arced multiple planners and the machine is still going strong!

A similar system is the Levenger discbound system – they have plenty of disc colors including gold! <3

Discbound notebooks comparison where to find discs compatible with happy planner mambi brands disz size color spacing cost diy notebook all about planners

If  you’re not sure what binding system is right for you, see: How to choose a binding system for your planner (comparison and which one I like the most) 

Related Posts:

  • Ultimate planner page size guide (with printable reference cheat sheet) 
  • How to organize recipes plus a free printable recipe binder
  • Quick and easy weekly meal planning using sticky notes 
  • 6 Ways to color code your planner to increase productivity

Access the free printables library and be notified when new blog posts are published

Success! Please check your inbox for an email from me with instructions to download (and access the rest of the free printables library!) Make sure you add me to your contacts so the emails don't end up in the your spam folder

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Don't forget to check your inbox to confirm! We'll never send you spam. You can unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit

Found this post helpful? Pin it!

best disc binding system for your plum paper planner how i arced my plum paper planner discbound system comparison

arcing my plum paper planner discbound tutorial tips best discbound system

arcing the plum paper planner uncoiling and converting to discbound planner erin condren tutorial planner hacks tips ideas inspo

 

 

You may also be interested in...

  • Plum Paper Me Planner ReviewPlum Paper Me Planner Review
  • Planner Organization: Why I use the Arc Planner instead of bindersPlanner Organization: Why I use the Arc Planner instead of binders
  • Weekly planning using the Plum Paper Me Planner (52 Planners in 52 Weeks – Week 29)Weekly planning using the Plum Paper Me Planner (52 Planners in 52 Weeks – Week 29)
  • ARC by Staples versus MAMBI – Which discbound system is better?ARC by Staples versus MAMBI – Which discbound system is better?
  • How to choose a binding system for your planner (comparison and which one I like the most)How to choose a binding system for your planner (comparison and which one I like the most)
  • Plum Paper Planners Haul & Review (better than the Erin Condren?)Plum Paper Planners Haul & Review (better than the Erin Condren?)

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Posted In: Categories Weekly, Discbound Planners, Planner Reviews, Planning Tips & Inspiration · Tagged: arc discbound system, arc planner, arc versus happy planner, arc versus martha stewart, arcing my plum paper, discbound pros and cons, discbound versus coil, how the arc planner works, how to arc your plum paper, how to use the arc planner, plum paper haul, pros and cons of arc system, pros and cons of discbound notebooks, should you use the arc system, switching plum paper to discbound, the arc planner system, using plum paper with happy planner discs, using plum paper with mambi discs

Welcome

Welcome to All About Planners! I’m Rachael, a 20-something Aussie addicted to graphic design and all things planning. On the blog you’ll find more than 1,000 posts about all things planning including planner reviews, tips, favorite supplies and some of my past weekly spreads.

Subscribe and join 60,000+ others on the quest to find planner peace!

Follow Me

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Search

Subscribe

free printables library sign up all about planners blog image graphic subscribe

Shop At Etsy

The photos and content on this site are the property of All About Planners. They are not allowed to be used without permission from All About Planners.

Categories

Recent Posts

  • 10 Brands that have Date Dot Stickers for your planner or bullet journal
  • Eleven Discs Dot Grid Notebook Review (Super Smooth Paper!)
  • 150 Dinner Recipe Ideas (Printable Quick Reference List) + Cooking Staples List
  • Arc versus TUL Comparison: Which discbound brand is better?
  • Esc. Goods 160 GSM Bullet Journal Notebook Review (Including Pen Test)

Disclaimer

All About Planners is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Popular Posts

  • Minimalistic planning: how to plan your week using a blank notes page and stickers (52 Planners in 52 Weeks – Week 4)
  • How to make a weekly planner using Google Sheets (free online tool)
  • 130+ functional ideas to use blank notes pages of your planner or an empty notebook
  • 10 Brands that have Date Dot Stickers for your planner or bullet journal
  • 5 Planner Companies that will make a completely custom planner for you

Printables

  • Learn How to Make Printables
  • How to Make Planner Stickers
  • Resources & Tools I Recommend

Subscribe to access the free Printables library

Follow Me

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
Privacy

Copyright © 2021 All About Planners · Theme by 17th Avenue