I admit I’m a real office supply junkie. Notebooks, pens, planners, sticky notes, notepads, I kind of collect these items. Some may say it’s an addiction, but since these items are useful and help me with productivity, I don’t think this addiction is a bad thing. 🙂 Either way, I’m always on the lookout for something new when it comes to office supplies. A few years ago I discovered the discbound system and it changed my world. Yes, I love using the discbound system to stay organized and I can’t wait to share with you why!
What is the discbound system?
If you’re not familiar with the discbound system, let me share a few details with you about it. Instead of using rings like a traditional 3-ring binder, it uses a series of discs to keep the pages bound together.
There are several different sizes of discs so you can create a customized notebook in the size you want. You can expand your notebook from 1/2 inch to up to 1 1/2 inch depending on your needs.
There are a variety of styles to choose from including textured, leather and poly covers. Typically there are two sizes, both large and small. My large binder holds 8.5 x 11 inch paper, and my small binder holds 5.5 x 8.5 inch paper.
What’s special about the discbound system?
Unlike a traditional 3-ring binder, a discbound notebook lays flat when closed and the cover can be turned behind itself like a spiral bound notebook. You can customize your notebook easily thanks to the uniqueness of the discbound system. The pages are punched with holes that allow you to add, remove and move around the pages as you like.
To add pages all you have to do is place the page where you want it and gently press the tabs between the metal discs.
Discbound notebooks come with lined paper, but since I desired to add my own printables to my notebook I purchased a special hole puncher designed for discbound notebooks. Now I can add anything I want to my notebooks!
I now own several discbound notebooks and I love them. In fact, even the planner I use now is operates on a discbound system. I love that I can move the months around like I want!
There are several discbound options to choose from and you can typically use them interchangeably. I use the Arc System, Martha Stewart, Happy Planner and TUL discbound products and have been able to use the accessories together with no problems.
I’ve been amazed at my friends and family who’ve never heard of this fun, easy way to stay organized. I decided to share this post on the suggestion from a friend. She had never seen or heard of a discbound notebook and loved it when I showed it to her. I also got a lot of questions about my binder when I shared my prayer journal free printables on the blog.
How do I use the discbound system?
You can use the discbound system any way you use a traditional notebook. Personally, I use a small sized binder for note-taking and planning out my posts and ideas. I use a large binder for my blog planner and another large binder for my prayer journal notebook.
Where can you find the discbound system binders and accessories?
Here is where you can find and purchase discbound items for yourself:
- Martha Stewart Discbound Items at Staples
- Arc Notebook and Accessories at Staples
- TUL Discbound products at Office Depot
- The Happy Planner products
Love these binders. Thank you for telling us about them.
I’m so glad you like them, too!
Hi! Thanks for all the great info. I was wondering if the printed pages tear since computer paper doesn’t have the reinforcement like the pages that come with the binder? Thanks in advance.
Hi Elizabeth,
I haven’t head any issues with paper tearing in my notebooks. I do use a heavier weight paper than standard copy weight, though. Standard weight is 20 lb, but I purchase premium inkjet paper that is 24 lb. Hope this helps!
Christie
Is the TUL hole punch in proportion with other discbound punchers? It’s a 12-hole punch accdg to office depot. Im confused.
Hi Anne,
I have the TUL hole punch and use it to punch holes for pages to fit in my Staples Arc, Martha Stewart, and Happy Planner discbound notebooks. I haven’t had any issues with it yet and the holes line up perfectly. I can even adjust it to fit my smaller sized notebooks. The holes on the TUL punch don’t go in as deep as the others, but other than that I haven’t seen a difference.
Christie
I’m curious if you are still liking the Tul punch? I’m considering buying one but am stuck between the Happy Planner punch and the Tul. Thanks for any suggestions!
Hi Beverly,
Yes, I am still liking the Tul punch. When I originally purchased mine, there wasn’t a large Happy Planner punch. I really don’t think you can wrong with either!
Christie
The Levenger Circa is another discbound system. I’m pretty sure it’s compatible with the others as well. I use the Arc & Martha Stewart from Staples and really like them.
Can I insert standard paper (8.5×11) into the notebook via the holepuncher? I would like to print out documents and insert them in there. The notebook seems to have larger dimensions.
Hi Emma, I use standard paper in my notebook and it fits just fine.
Do you pop your disc planner into your purse to carry? I’m wondering how the pages and things would handle being jostled in a purse without coming apart.
If I put my planner in my purse, I make sure to use an elastic band to keep it together. I haven’t had any problems with it coming apart, but I admit I don’t usually carry my planner around with me much. Hope this helps a little! Christie
Levenger also has a lot of great disc bound notebooks and accessories! I LOVE using disc bound planning!
Yes, Levenger also makes them but I haven’t personally used them. Glad to know they work for you!
Christie
I just purchased the junior size of this notebook to use as my bullet journal and am loving it.
Hi Ellen, I’m so glad you love it, too! XOXO
I just discovered the Tul notebooks by chance when I stopped by an Office Depot for a few minutes. I was immediately blown away! I’ve been using notebooks for years and this is an amaaaaaaaazing system! I don’t know how long these type of systems have been out (as I said, I only just discovered it yesterday), but it was from your page that I learned about the others – so thank you for that! I cannot believe that Levenger offers them for $100!!! I mean, sure, they look gorgeous, but MORE gorgeous than the standard versions out there? Uh, no. Maybe a little better, maybe not, but definitely not for that price. Yikes! Anyways – great blog. 😀
Thanks, Nathan. I’m glad you found this post to discover the wonderful world of the discbound system. 🙂 I know that the Tul and Martha Stewart lines have released some really cool additions since I wrote this post. I love that they are expanding their lines, and the prices really are great. Thank you so much for stopping by!
Do you ever have issues with the pages starting to fall out when the binder is folded back on itself? Or with the pages fraying, when moved around more than a couple times? I so want to love my Arc discbound notebook, but I have a lot of trouble with this, especially when I punch regular (non-Arc brand) paper to use in the notebook.
I haven’t had any trouble with my pages falling out, but I don’t carry mine around with me much unless it’s from room to room in my house. I lay it flat on my desk and don’t fold the binder back on itself, either. I have moved pages around quite a bit without any problems so far. I hope you can find a solution and learn to love your discbound system as much as I do mine. Of course, we all have our preferences and what works for one may not work for another. I’m sorry you haven’t enjoyed yours as much as I have mine and hope you find the right system that works for you.
There is one thing I really need to ask. Do the pages stay put n your binder?
I am looking for something for a script and prompt book. The pages need to stay put. At the same time, I need to remove and replace pages from time to time.
I was looking looking into zipbind and proclick, then I saw one of the TUL discbound at the store and was intrigued.
Curious what size the prayer journal printables are for disc notebook?
They are standard printer paper size, 8 1/2 in by 11 in.
Hello! Do you happen to know if blank pages are sold anywhere?
I’m not sure about blank pages, but you can use blank printer paper and punch them with a disc punch.
What do you do when you finish / fill up one journal and need to start a new one? Do you buy another cover, that seems expensive?