How to Create a Digital Planner with Affinity Publisher

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Welcome to the world of digital planning, where creativity meets organization and productivity! Are you ready to unleash your inner Planner Picasso? Then you’ve come to the right place. In this fun-filled guide, we’ll show you how to create a digital planner with Affinity Publisher, the ultimate design tool for your masterpiece. But wait, there’s more! We’ve also got a special gift for you – our PlannerPizzazz – Planner Creation Checklist, the perfect companion to ensure your digital planner journey is smooth and enjoyable. So, buckle up, and let’s dive into the fascinating realm of digital planner creation!

Unleash Your Inner Planner Picasso with Affinity Publisher

Digital planners have revolutionized the way we organize our lives, providing endless customization options and the convenience of having everything at our fingertips. Affinity Publisher, a versatile desktop publishing app, is the perfect tool for creating your very own digital planner, tailored to your specific needs and tastes including planner covers. With its powerful design capabilities and user-friendly interface, you’ll be able to craft the planner of your dreams in no time.

But where do you start? Fret not, because we’ve got you covered! In this post, we will dive into the creation, but once you’re off in the wild on your own, the PlannerPizzazz – Planner Creation Checklist is a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process of designing a digital planner (or printable planner) with Affinity Publisher. This handy checklist will ensure you don’t miss any critical steps, and it’s available for FREE! So, let’s kick off your digital planner adventure with Affinity Publisher and make your organizational dreams come true.

Setting the Stage: Prepare Your Affinity Publisher Canvas

Before you can create your digital planner masterpiece, you’ll need to set up the perfect canvas in Affinity Publisher. Think of it as the foundation upon which you’ll build your organizational haven. To get started, let’s follow the simple steps below:

Launch Affinity Publisher: If you haven’t already, download and install Affinity Publisher on your computer. You can access a free trial or purchase the software from the official website. Once installed, open the application and get ready to set the stage.

Create a New Document: Start by clicking on “File” in the top left corner, then choose “New” to create a fresh document. This will open the “New Document” dialog box, where you can customize your canvas settings.

Choose Your Document Settings: First, select the “Print” preset in the top right corner of the dialog box, as digital planners are generally optimized for viewing on screens you can change the DPI between 72 and 144. Next, set the page size to your desired dimensions, such as A4 or US Letter, depending on your preference. You can also customize the width and height manually to fit specific tablet or device dimensions. (Note “Print” is the best setting if you want to easily switch your planner from a digital to a printable planner as we discuss in How to Create Planners Using Affinity Publisher Plan Your Life and Get Creative.)

Setup Pages in Document Settings: Affinity Publisher has an amazing feature called “Facing Pages”, I was very confused by this feature when I started because I’m not a graphic designer. I’m just a geek that loves pretty things. Facing Pages makes your planner design extremely flexible, if you are creating a landscape planner it’s the bomdigity! I recommend setting up your landscape planners to use Facing Pages! Arrange them horizontally, and start with 3 pages. That first page will be your cover. (You can thank me later!)

Set Margins and Bleed: In the same dialog box, set your margins to provide a buffer between your content and the edge of the page. And yes you still want a margin with digital planners. Links are usually at the edges and it’s hard to click the very edge. A safe choice is around 0.25 inches or 6.35 mm. If you are using facing pages, and you want realistic-looking rings, it’s better to make the inner margin just a bit wider. I find .35 -.50 on that inner margin easier to work with for rings. You can leave the “Bleed” settings at their default values, as they won’t impact the final appearance of your digital planner.

Orientation and Page Count: Choose either portrait or landscape orientation, depending on the style of planner you’re aiming to create. Set the initial page count to 1 if you are doing a portrait planner without facing pages. If you are creating a landscape planner with facing pages start with 3 pages. You’ll be adding more pages later using the Master Pages and templates.

Click “Create”: Once you’ve adjusted all the settings, hit the “Create” button to generate your blank canvas. Voilà! Your Affinity Publisher canvas is ready for your creative touch.

Now that your canvas is set up, it’s time to dive into the world of Master Pages and templates to design the ultimate digital planner. Remember, our PlannerPizzazz – Planner Creation Checklist is here to help you along the way!

Mastering the Master Pages: Your Secret Weapon for Consistency

Master Pages are the unsung heroes of the digital planner world, ensuring consistency throughout your design while saving you time and effort. They act as reusable templates for elements that appear on multiple pages, such as headers, footers, calendars, planning pages, and backgrounds. Let’s dive into the process of creating and editing Master Pages for your digital planner:

Access the Master Pages Panel: In Affinity Publisher 1, navigate to the “View” menu, then choose “Studio,” and select “Pages” to open the Pages panel. You’ll see the Master Pages section at the top of the panel, separate from the regular pages. In Affinity Publisher 2, Navigate to the “Window” menu, then choose “Pages” to open the Pages Panel. The Master Pages section will be at the top of the panel in 2 also!

Create a New Master Page: Click on the “Add Master” button (the paper icon with a plus sign) at the top of the Master Pages section. A dialog box will appear, allowing you to name your new Master Page and set the page size and orientation (which should match the settings of your document). Click “OK” to create your Master Page.

Design Your Master Page: Time to unleash your creativity! Add elements to your Master Page that you want to appear consistently throughout your planner. This could include page numbers, decorative backgrounds, headers, footers, or watermarks. We recommend a Master Page for any page that repeats. Think about your monthly, weekly, and daily planner pages. These pages are also used when you import dates into your planner. Use the Layers panel to manage the stacking order of elements.

Apply the Master Page to Regular Pages: To apply your Master Page to one or multiple pages in your document, simply drag and drop the Master Page thumbnail onto the desired page thumbnail(s) in the Pages panel. You’ll notice the Master Page elements appear on the regular pages, maintaining a consistent design.

Editing Your Master Page: Need to make changes to your Master Page? No problem! Simply double-click the Master Page thumbnail in the Pages panel to edit it. Any modifications you make will automatically update on all pages where the Master Page has been applied.

Multiple Master Pages: For different sections of your planner, you may want to create additional Master Pages with unique designs. Simply repeat the steps above to create and apply more Master Pages as needed. (No need to open the Master Pages window again it will stay there!)

By mastering the use of Master Pages in Affinity Publisher, you’ll maintain consistency throughout your digital planner while saving time and energy. Don’t forget to reference our PlannerPizzazz – Planner Creation Checklist for a smooth and enjoyable planner-making process!

Template Tango: Design Your First Planner Page with Style in Affinity Publisher

Now that you’ve set up your canvas and mastered the art of Master Pages, it’s time to dance your way through designing the first planner page template. Whether it’s a daily, weekly, or monthly layout, the key is to create a functional and visually appealing design that suits your needs. Let’s tango through the steps of designing your first planner page template:

Choose Your Layout Style: Decide which type of planner page layout you’d like to create first – daily, weekly, or monthly. Consider your personal preferences and the level of detail you want in your planner. And consider your purpose. Are you designing this for a customer or to put into your shop? If so it’s time to do a little niche research.

Create a New Master Page: In the Pages panel, click the “Add Master” button (the paper icon with a plus sign) at the top of the panel. This will create a new master page in your document, where you’ll design your first planner page template.

Design Your Layout: Time to get creative! Use Affinity Publisher’s tools and features to design your planner page layout. Add text boxes for dates, days of the week, or lists, and use the Shape tools to create checkboxes, lines, or other decorative elements. Don’t forget to use the amazing tables feature for things like lists and calendars. Customize fonts, colors, and icons to match your desired aesthetic.

Group Elements: To keep your design organized and easy to edit, group related elements together. Select multiple objects by holding down the Shift key while clicking on them, then right-click and choose “Group” from the context menu. This will allow you to move or modify grouped elements together, making future edits a breeze.

Create a New Page: In the Pages panel, click the “Add Page” button (the paper icon with a plus sign) at the bottom of the Pages panel. This will create a new page in your document, where you’ll apply your first planner page template from the master page.

Apply a Master Page: Drag and drop your new Master Page thumbnail onto your new page thumbnail in the Pages panel. This will ensure your design remains consistent with the other pages in your planner.

As you continue to create more templates for your digital planner, remember to have fun and let your creativity shine. Use our PlannerPizzazz – Planner Creation Checklist to ensure you’re covering all the essential steps and design elements in your planner-making journey. Happy designing!

Terrific Tabs: Navigating Your Planner with Ease

Tabs are an essential component of any digital planner, allowing you to navigate between sections and pages with just a click or tap. With Affinity Publisher, adding and customizing tabs for seamless navigation is a breeze. Let’s explore the process of creating terrific tabs for your digital planner:

Design Your Tab: Start by designing a visual element that will serve as your tab. You can use the Shape or Artistic Text tools in Affinity Publisher to create an appealing and functional tab design. Make sure it stands out and is easily identifiable on the page. Affinity Designer is a great tool for making tabs if you want something more than a basic rectangle.

Place the Tab on a Master Page: Once you’ve created your tab design, copy or move it onto the appropriate Master Page. We create a Master Page called “Tabs”, and put all the navigation tabs on this Master Page. This will ensure the tab appears consistently on all pages and allow you to create your hyperlinks one time on the tabs that the Master Page is applied to. Remember to position the tab so it’s easily accessible and doesn’t obstruct any important content on your planner pages.

Create a Hyperlink: To make your tab functional, you’ll need to create a hyperlink that directs users to the desired section or page within your digital planner. First, select your tab element on the Master Page, and then navigate to the “View” menu, choose “Studio,” and select “Hyperlinks” to open the Hyperlinks panel in Publisher 1. In Affinity Publisher 2, you will navigate to the “Window” menu, choose “References” and then choose “Hyperlink”.

Set the Destination: In the Hyperlinks panel, click the “Add Hyperlink” button (the icon with a plus sign). This will open a dialog box where you can set the hyperlink destination. Choose “Page” from the “Type” dropdown menu and select the specific page number you’d like the tab to link to. Click “OK” to create the hyperlink.

Test Your Tab: To make sure your tab is working correctly, navigate to a page in your document where the Master Page with the tab is applied. Press and hold the “Ctrl” key (Windows) or “Cmd” key (Mac) and click on the tab. This should take you to the destination page you specified in the hyperlink settings.

Repeat for Additional Tabs: Create and customize additional tabs for other sections of your digital planner by following the steps above. Consider using different colors or icons to distinguish between sections, making navigation even more user-friendly.

With terrific tabs in place, navigating your digital planner will be a seamless and enjoyable experience. If you need a little more help with the hyperlinks, check out our post all about hyperlinks and your digital planner. And don’t forget, our PlannerPizzazz – Planner Creation Checklist is here to guide you through every step of your planner-making adventure!

Begin Your Digital Planner Adventure with Affinity Publisher

Congratulations on taking your first steps toward creating a digital planner with Affinity Publisher! With the skills and knowledge you’ve gained in this post, you’re well on your way to designing a beautiful and functional planner tailored to your needs.

As you continue your digital planner journey, be sure to explore our other helpful blog posts on PrintablesBuzz.com for more tips, tricks, and inspiration:

1. How to Create Planners Using Affinity Publisher: Plan Your Life and Get Creative
2. How to Create Planner Templates in Affinity Publisher: Planning for the Scattered
3. How to Make a Digital Planner with Hyperlinks In Affinity Publisher 2.0: Create Captivating & Irresistible Planners! 💖
4. 12 Steps to Launching Your Own Amazing Printable or Digital Planner Business

Remember, we’re here to support and guide you as you create your planner in Affinity Publisher. Don’t forget to download our FREE PlannerPizzazz – Planner Creation Checklist to ensure you’ve covered all the essential steps in your planner-making process.

Happy planning, and may your digital planner adventure be filled with creativity, joy, and success!