How to Set Up Your Half-Letter Planner
At Rosie Papeterie, we believe that planning should be simple, flexible, and beautiful.
Our half-letter discbound planner system is designed to do just that — giving you the freedom to build a planner that fits your life, your goals, and your style.
What Is a Half-Letter Discbound Planner?
A discbound planner is a customizable planning system that uses small discs instead of a coil or traditional rings to hold the pages together. Each page has small mushroom-shaped holes that easily snap onto the discs, so you can add, remove, or move pages anytime you like — no tearing or unbinding needed.
The half-letter size measures 5.5" x 8.5", which is exactly half the size of a standard US Letter sheet of paper. It’s compact enough to bring with you, while still giving you plenty of space to write and plan comfortably.
If you’re ready to set up your first planner (or refresh your current one), here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a setup that’s as functional as it is inspiring.
1. Start with the Basics: Covers & Discs
To start, you’ll need two things: transparent covers and a set of discs.
Transparent Covers
These are the inner front and back covers that protect your planner pages. They’re sturdy, minimalist, and let your inserts shine through.
Even if you plan to use one of our no-ring leather planner covers, you’ll still need these transparent covers. They help your pages stay secure and turn smoothly inside the leather cover while keeping your planner structure in place.
Discs
These small circular discs hold your pages together. You can choose between different colors and sizes — the more pages you want to add, the larger the discs you’ll need.
Once you’ve added your covers and discs, you already have the foundation of your planner.
Want to elevate your setup?
You can slide your discbound planner into one of our no-ring planner covers. These soft outer covers protect your planner when you’re on the go and add a beautiful, polished look.
We recommend starting simple with the essentials and adding more as your needs (and your style) evolve.
2. Choose Your Planner Inserts
Your inserts are the pages inside your planner — where you’ll actually write, plan, and stay organized.
All Rosie Papeterie inserts are designed in-house and printed locally on smooth, high-quality paper that’s a pleasure to write on. Every insert comes pre-punched to fit perfectly into your half-letter discbound system.
Here are a few key inserts to start with:
- L’Agenda – The Complete Planner → Includes dated weekly, monthly, and yearly pages. It’s perfect if you want a ready-to-use planner with structure and consistency. Available in half-letter with multiple layout options.
- Half-Page Lists Inserts → Great for quick lists, groceries, or reminders. They’re smaller than a full page but fit right into your planner.
- Undated Inserts (Lists + Notes, Grid, Daily Hourly, etc.) → Ideal if you prefer flexibility. You can mix and match layouts depending on your week or planning style.
Whether you prefer to plan every day in detail or simply jot down your goals and notes, your inserts are the heart of your planner.
3. Add Accessories to Personalize Your Planner
Once your inserts are in place, you can make your planner truly yours.
Accessories help you organize sections, add visual interest, and make your system work even better for your lifestyle.
Here’s what you can add:
These are thicker cardstock or plastic/vellum sheets that separate sections in your planner. Some include quotes or prompts, while others are blank or transparent. Think of them as visual “dividers” — they make it easy to find what you need or to start a new section.
Just like tabs in a binder, dividers help you organize your planner into clear sections such as Calendar, Notes, or Projects. Ours are transparent or semi-frosted for a clean, modern look that keeps your planner feeling light and uncluttered.
This includes sticky notes, page markers, pockets, and card holders. These small details make your planner more functional day-to-day — whether you need to mark today’s page, store receipts, or jot down quick reminders.
4. Organize by Section
Now that you have your pages and accessories, it’s time to organize them in a way that makes sense for you.
Just like a binder, your discbound planner can be divided into different sections.
Here are a few ideas to get started:
- Calendar: Monthly and weekly pages to plan your schedule.
- To-Do / Lists: Half-page inserts for daily tasks or shopping lists.
- Notes & Projects: Lined, grid, or Cornell notes for brainstorming and organization.
- Wellness & Mindset: Habit trackers, gratitude pages, or goal-setting inserts.
Use our semi-frosted blank dividers and divider labels to clearly separate your sections and keep everything easy to find.
5. Let it Evolve
The best part of the discbound system is how easy it is to change and update.
You can add, remove, or reorder pages anytime — no need to start over or buy a new planner each year. Your system adapts as your priorities shift, making it truly sustainable and personal.
Ready to Begin?
Here’s your minimalist starter kit:
The Dated Essential Bundle – everything you need to start planning intentionally, beautifully, and with ease.
Then, explore our planner covers, discs, and inserts to continue building your perfect setup — one page at a time.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a half-letter planner?
A half-letter planner measures 5.5" x 8.5". It’s half the size of a standard US Letter sheet of paper, making it compact yet spacious enough for everyday use.
What is a discbound planner and how does it work?
A discbound planner uses small discs to hold the pages together. The pages have special mushroom-shaped holes that snap onto the discs, allowing you to easily add, remove, or rearrange pages whenever you want.
Do I need transparent covers if I have a leather planner cover?
Yes. Transparent covers are essential because they protect your pages and help them turn smoothly inside your leather cover. They also keep your planner structured and secure.
Can I mix inserts from different brands?
In most cases, yes — as long as they follow the same discbound format and half-letter size (5.5" x 8.5"), you can mix inserts from different brands. However, not all brands use the exact same hole spacing or punch style, so pages might not always turn as smoothly.
For the best fit and page alignment, we recommend using Rosie Papeterie inserts, which are specifically designed for our discs and transparent covers. That way, your planner opens flat, pages turn easily, and everything looks cohesive.
How do I choose the right disc size?
It depends on how many pages you want in your planner. Smaller discs are perfect for a lightweight setup, while larger discs allow you to hold more inserts, dashboards, and accessories.
Is the half-letter system reusable?
Yes! That’s the beauty of a customizable discbound planner — you can reuse your discs and covers year after year by simply replacing or updating your inserts.