How to Create Bullet Journal Printables Using Microsoft Word
How to create bullet journal printables using Microsoft Word. On this tutorial, I explain how to make simple and minimalist bullet journal printables using a dot grid paper, clip art images, and fonts, Creating art on Word is easy! all you need is a little bit of patience and creativity. ♡
Popular Printables:
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Here is an example of the layout we are going to create:
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Paper Pattern
The most popular paper for bullet journaling is dot grid. This is the one I’m going to use for this tutorial. Save it on your desktop or in a folder. If dot grid is not your favorite paper, here is a list of websites that offer different paper patterns:
2.Background Page
Step 1: Open Microsoft Word > on the toolbar > click layout > custom margins > click narrow.
Step 2: Let’s add the paper pattern
Click on design > watermark > select the pdf* paper that you saved > and change the scale.
*Note: If you are having trouble with the PDF file, convert it to JPG.
50 = smaller or narrow dots. As you increase the scale, your dots will be farther apart. I set up mine to be 130
Your paper is now part of the background. You won’t have to worry about it moving around. This is how the page should look like:
Step 3: Let’s create get creative!
Let’s add a beautiful title to the page.
Write the title > shade it (select the whole title with your mouse) > look for a beautiful font and increase the size of the font.
My favorite places to buy bundles of fonts are The Creative Market, The Hungry JPEG, and Font Bundles. The one that you see on this tutorial is Lovers Quarrel.
Here is another place where you can find more fonts.
How to create a banner:
Click insert > shapes > scroll to the bottom until you see the stars and banners > click the banner that you like > click on the page and drag your mouse, you will see the banner on your page.
This is how the draft banner should look like:
Let’s make it pretty!
Click on the banner you created > on the toolbar menu > shape fill > select no fill (This will make the color of your banner clear/transparent).
Select the color that you want for the outline of your banner. I choose black to keep the page simple and elegant.
This is how the banner should look like:
Now we are going to change the position of the banner. I like to put it behind the text to easily place photos or text boxes on top of it.
Text wrap > behind text.
How to Create squares:
Use your creativity to create unique printables. On this printable, I wanted to separate my classes with boxes.
Here is how I did it:
insert > layout > square
shape format > behind text.
select the object > shape format > no fill
How to add a cute graphic/image:
I find my clipart images here, they are high quality, elegant, and they look professional on all my printables. They have different prices and styles.
Here is the link to the clipart images that I used in this tutorial.
If you want to move your image freely, like the previous banner. Do the same steps as before, this time, you can put the image in front.
Text wrap > in front text.
Adding a text anywhere in the page:
insert > draw text box > text wrap > in front of text (now you are able to put the text box anywhere).
Convert the Word document to PDF
If you are going to use the printable on your iPad, you should convert/save it to PDF format.
word > file save as >
> file format: PDF > choose your favorite cloud folder > export
Final thoughts:
Just like with any program, you have to play around with Microsoft word and its options. You can create anything in a word document, you just need a little bit of imagination.
I’m still learning to create layouts in Microsoft word, but I wanted to share this tutorial so we can all learn together. There is nothing more beautiful than sharing your knowledge with others.
If you want to learn more about digital planners and bullet journaling join my Facebook group. Readers from all over the world share their bullet journal layouts and digital layouts. It’s amazing to see and learn from other people that share a common interest.❤️
Thank you for stopping by, check out my art printables, and my digital planners & stickers.♡
Popular Blog Posts:
- FREE Hand Lettering Printables
- FREE Bullet Journal Printables
- My Bullet Journal School Layout & Setup
– Let’s Connect –
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What is the fonts you use for the post title, please?
Thank you!
How neat!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I am a big list maker, so I think I might try this! I can also see how I can apply some of your tips to creating other kinds of layouts, too. I find formatting in Microsoft Word extremely frustrating at times, so being able to follow what someone else has already figured out is great! 🙂
(Side note: I have some of those dot pages in my paper planner, and I wondered what they were for! Now I know it’s for bullet journaling. So thanks for that! 😉 )
– Lisa, http://www.themerrymomma.com
How were you able to use the PDF dot paper as your watermark? I get an error everytime I try to select it.
A question, have you tried using Microsoft Publisher? I have used Publisher for years and find it so much easier to work with when doing projects like this. Just wondering.
I haven’t, but I’m going to check it out now
Try converting the PDF to image (JPG). Here is a website that will do it for you: https://smallpdf.com
I made me it in Canva.com 🙂
The fonts that I used were: Brusher and Allura.
Our PowerPoint. I find I can manipulate so much better there than word.
This is the most detailed instructions on a “How To”, that I have ever seen! Thank you for taking the time to do this!
Jeniffer what a good post
Thank you for sharing your knowledge
These are the best instructions I have ever found. It was really easy to follow. I truly appreciate you showing us how to do this.
I tried it on my word on my iPad and i am unable to do the watermark on there…is there a way to create it on there?
Hi Christine,
Are you using an older version of Microsoft Word? Try using these:
https://incompetech.com/graphpaper/
Let me know if that helps 🙂
– Jenniffer
Is this to print and then glue in a journal or is this to print and insert in a three print journal or is it just for online bullet journaling? I’m new to this and trying to figure it all out.
Hi Julie,
This tutorial is to create your own printables for your digital planner or for your paper planner.
For those of us that don’t have word, would you be willing to do this on Google Docs? (please and thank you)
Hi Maggie,
That’s an excellent idea! I’m definitely adding it to my list of tutorials 🙂
– Jenniffer
Brilliant thank you for sharing. I had a bit of trouble with the dot grid, but got there in the end. Great inspiration.
Thank you! Great ideas! Could you tell me how you go about taking this concept offline? Do you print on standard-sized paper? Do you cut it to fit the planner? How do you paste it in, a glue stick?
Hi,
You can print your design and glued/tape it to your planner. Before printing it, make sure to scale the printable to print the size that fits in your planner. If you need help printing your design, check out this tutorial: https://lifeismessyandbrilliant.com/how-to-resize-printables-and-documents/
You can use a glue stick or a double-sided tape.
This is fab! Thank you. Thank you for doing it as a text tutorial rather than video. I struggle to follow video tutorials so having it written down makes it so much easier! Thank you. 🙂
I really like your idea about how to make it on Microsoft word thank you for doing it It really helped me to do it
Thanks for the PDF I have been looking for a tutorial that shows how to create a dot grid so I can create a paperback journal. I have an editing software like indesign and and had to teak it a bit but I am moving forward.
This person copied and pasted your content into their website: https://www.bollyinside.com/articles/how-to-create-a-dot-grid-paper-template-in-ms-word/. I’m assuming in violation of your copyright.
Thank you so much for letting me know! I will file a DMCA.