How To Get Started Digital Planning

I've been talking a lot about digital planning the last several months, it's been a new hobby of mine in 2022. As I'm more or less all in at this point, I thought it might be time to share a little of what I've learned.

Hardware and Software
I use an iPad (7th generation) and an Apple Pencil (1st generation). On the iPad I use the app Goodnotes, where you can import any PDF as a notebook/planner. Goodnotes also comes with several options to create your own notebook/planner, so it's worth checking out the page templates that are included. To add a planner or notebook you've downloaded to Goodnotes, just click on the big + icon and choose Import. This will let you select the new planner/notebook from your iPad.

(I have little knowledge of using an Android based tablet for planning, but I've heard that Penly is a good option. If you use it, let us know!)

Like making the switch to digital scrapbooking, I have loved the freedom that comes with digital planning. I have wanted a paper planner to work for me for many years, but it never did. Being able to create exactly the planner spread I want, plus change it when it's not working, has really helped me to create and stick with a new routine. Also, there's easy access to all the stickers you could want and I don't have to store them in real life.

I can talk more about my personal planner journey in the future, but for now, I'll recommend a few (free) starter planners that you can take a look at and see how they work for you.

Planners

To start we have lots of great options right here at DigitalScrapbook.com . Choose what you like and build your own planner from the ground up.

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I've also just released a set of planners that you can use to build your own planner.

digital 2023 planner

Passion Planner also has several free samples you can download and try out.

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What both DigitalScrapbook.com and Passion Planner will allow you to do is create your own planner one page at a time. If you're interested in a finished planner that's dated and hyperlinked (so you can more easily move among the pages) I'd suggest checking out the Digital Planner Addicts Facebook Group. Designers are often sharing planner freebies and you should be able to find something to give a test drive and help you figure out what you're looking for.

In the following video I go over briefly how to add a PDF to Goodnotes, and also how to add a PDF to an existing notebook in Goodnotes.

Stickers

To get started with stickers, you can drag any JPG or PNG image onto your planner page. Download whatever you like from DigitalScrapbook.com and add it to your planner page for the day. We also have some sticker sheets that have already been formatted for Goodnotes, so you can import the sticker notebook and copy the stickers from there. I show both these methods briefly in this video:

You can find our DigitalScrapbook.com stickers here.

digital planner stickers

When I'm looking to buy stickers, I'm not usually looking for the more typical planner sticker, but I'm just interested in finding something cute. The following are two digital sticker designers that I love. If you have a lead on another store that sells cute stickers, please let me know!

cute kawaii digital planner stickers

cute kawaii digital planner stickers

If you have any questions or want to share your favorite planner, please do so in the comments!

Recent Comments

Marisa Lerin
Marisa Lerin Mon, 04/17/2023 - 09:08

I have been too chicken to start making planners. The hyperlinking seems like a pain. There may also be a digital version somewhere of your paper planner. I'd suggest making a post in this FB group, see if anyone knows of a similar planner. They can also give advice on making a planner, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1911869615745884

Zoe Harris
Zoe Harris Fri, 04/14/2023 - 08:13

Okay, I'm intrigued. Been using a paper planner for the last several years and only starting last year did I find planner peace, with a customized daily from Plum Paper which has been working well for me. But I'm not wedded to actual paper and actual ink, and a daily-sized book is a real chonker.
How easy is it to make one's own layouts, with hyperlinks and all? I'm extremely comfortable with InDesign and am curious if I could recreate/adapt the Plum Paper layout I've been using, but I'm not sure where to start.
Also, the all-important drop shadow -- is there a way to add one to an embellishment in GoodNotes?

Krista Gradis
Krista Gradis Sat, 02/18/2023 - 15:45

these are so dang cute!

Randi Synnøve Larssen
Randi Synnøve Larssen Mon, 01/30/2023 - 00:14

Great info. Thank you.

SherriAnn Steeves
SherriAnn Steeves Mon, 01/23/2023 - 03:56

Thank you. That was great info!

Jen Johnson
Jen Johnson Sat, 01/21/2023 - 16:42

Thanks for the great info, I've been thinking about using a digi planner as part of my memory keeping for 2023.

Margaret Anne
Margaret Anne Sat, 01/21/2023 - 12:17

Awesome! I am going to go checkout the stickers!

Beth Gasaway
Beth Gasaway Mon, 01/16/2023 - 20:45

Thank you so much for this, I got an Ipad for Christmas and downloaded the goodnotes app. This was just what I needed to get me going. :)