Does anyone know of planner refills that fit Daytimer/Franklin planners

[Pippin60]

I use a Monarch size 8.5 x 11 Daytimer filled with Franklin Planner refills. I've used one as a calendar at work for ages now but the paper is not fountain pen friendly and I think I've finally lost patience with it. So I'm wondering if anyone else out there uses one and has found an alternative for the refills. I'm thinking of just buying the Franklin software and just printing my own pages then at least I can control the paper, and since I can no longer expense it I figure I might as well use better paper. I think others have used HP... laser paper and have found it to be fountain pen friendly.

[CraigR]

Although I don't currently use them, I did use Franklin planners and papers for many years. I also was unhappy with how the paper changed over time and became FP unfriendly (at least for the pens and inks I used at the time). My solution was to use plain paper and a Franklin punch so they could be inserted into the planner. I used their software to print the planner pages. My favorite paper for this purpose was HP 24lb premium ink jet paper. Worked for me. I now keep my planner and calendar on my smart phone and carry a couple of journals for my writings. /Craig

Edited July 27, 2009 by CraigR

[HesNot]

Since you use the 8.5x11 pages I think printing your own is your best bet. I used the classic size and tried Dayrunner, Daytimer and FC refills and they all are subpar when it comes to fountain pen ink. I've moved to an Exacompta planner and dropped the ringed planner altogether as I didn't want the hassle of cutting paper in half to fit the 5.5x8.5 cover I have, and don't have the software either...

 

I've pondered going to a Filofax but the Exacompta products are so nice and more accessible/affordable that I don't see any real benefit!

[Pippin60]

Since you use the 8.5x11 pages I think printing your own is your best bet. I used the classic size and tried Dayrunner, Daytimer and FC refills and they all are subpar when it comes to fountain pen ink. I've moved to an Exacompta planner and dropped the ringed planner altogether as I didn't want the hassle of cutting paper in half to fit the 5.5x8.5 cover I have, and don't have the software either...

 

I've pondered going to a Filofax but the Exacompta products are so nice and more accessible/affordable that I don't see any real benefit!

 

 

I would consider converting but I use the Large Monarch size and its almost like a small briefcase or folio. Thanks to both of you for your suggestion I think I may go for the software.

[Inka]

I have a pigskin Desk Day-Timer that's more than 20 years old, still in like-new "mint" condition, long since discontinued.

I dug it out back in January of this year and it still had some old-stock D-T graph paper and blank address pages inside it, from 1985.

The "old-stock" paper is still extremely fountain-pen-friendly, no bleed-through and minimal feathering, while the new stuff I'd ordered is awful.

I bought some Day-Timer ruled and blank pages from Staples Online to completely fill my Day-Timer, hand it delivered to my local store for pick-up.

Originally I'd purchased the Coastlines and that was so horrific I called Day-Timer Customer Service to complain.

They apologized and sent me the lined and blank paper as a replacement, at no charge, and while not as bad as the paper with images is nearly as bad.

I called to complain about the new items and asked if they had any "fountain-pen friendly" paper, was told they've never had a request for it and I said they have one now.

I was offered replacements for the lined and blank pages, but refused since it would be identical to what they'd already sent me.

The new-stock Day-Timer paper is by far the absolute worst paper I've ever used with a fountain pen, even using a F or EF nib it still bleeds through and feathers terribly!

It looks like the only way we'll be able to get fountain-pen friendly paper for our Day-Timers is to punch it ourselves; since I’d asked about it and was told it's not likely they'll ever make any.

Maybe if enough of us Day-Timer owners call and complain, or at least call to request a fountain-pen friendly paper, just maybe they'll hear our cries and actually make something that works?

 

 

I really like the old Day-Timer notebook and want to use it, but like you I'm at a loss for what paper to use since theirs is awful with fountain pens.

The only thing I can think of is getting the Day-Timer 7-hole punch for the Desk size for @ $22.99 [5 pages] or the single sheet punch for @ $7.99, use my own paper cut to size and punch my own holes to use as refills.

 

While at Staples I'd found something called a Rolla [now called Rollabind, I believe] Junior Bookcloth-bound notebook on sale for only $5, the exact same thing as a Circa notebook costing @ $54.

Using all types of fountain pens & nib types on the Rolla paper I can say with a certainty that it's far better than the new Day-Timer paper.

the Circa-style punch is expensive, costing @ $58 at Levenger and @ $99.95 for the Rollabind Binding Kit 1000 desk-punch/covers and discs "kit".

 

Also while at Staples I saw some refills for a system called "DayRunner" that looked identical to the Day-Timer systems.

I thought about trying some of that DayRuner paper, since it looked like it would fit my Day-Timer, but it too was very expensive and Made in China instead of Made in the USA.

Someone was obviously trying to profit from the Day-Timer name by making a product with a "similar" name, charging the same and probably paying pennies on the dollar, not cool AFAIC.

While not a direct counterfeit, the name is close enough that to me it’s still a rip-off attempt and for that reason too I didn’t bother trying the DayRunner paper.

[donwinn]

I use Planner Pad (not affileated) planners, which are very FP friendly. I actually use the Monarch size, and Keep it in a Wenger Swiss Army Binder/Portfolio/Briefcase. I also use their Notes on the Run, probably the best 3 x 5 form factor cards I have ever found as far as FP friendliness. The prices are reasonable also.

 

Donnie

[Inka]

I use Planner Pad (not affileated) planners, which are very FP friendly....I also use their Notes on the Run, probably the best 3 x 5 form factor cards I have ever found as far as FP friendliness. The prices are reasonable also.

 

Donnie

Thanks for that information!

To me it looks as if the Planner Pad paper in the "Personal" size might even fit my Day-Planner 7-ring binder and if fountain pen friendly that solves my refill problems!

I also carry a small black leather Pocket Jotter everywhere I go, that I got from Staples, that uses 3x5 cards and the Staples 3x5 package of 500 cards is cheap [@ $2.99 for 500] but not entirely fountain pen friendly.

The Jotter came with only 5 specialized 3x5 notecards, not enough to say the least and refills are impossible to find yet they were very fountain pen friendly.

Switching to Notes on the Run might be a great option too.

You may have just solved not just one but two issues I've had using paper that doesn't like my fountain pens, by giving me a better refill option for both; much appreciated!

[HesNot]

I use Planner Pad (not affileated) planners, which are very FP friendly. I actually use the Monarch size, and Keep it in a Wenger Swiss Army Binder/Portfolio/Briefcase. I also use their Notes on the Run, probably the best 3 x 5 form factor cards I have ever found as far as FP friendliness. The prices are reasonable also.

 

Donnie

 

I have changed my system and the planner pad might really work for me - any idea if it fits the 7 ring Daytimer binders? I like my binder and don't particularly want to buy a new one...

[Pippin60]

Although I don't currently use them, I did use Franklin planners and papers for many years. I also was unhappy with how the paper changed over time and became FP unfriendly (at least for the pens and inks I used at the time). My solution was to use plain paper and a Franklin punch so they could be inserted into the planner. I used their software to print the planner pages. My favorite paper for this purpose was HP 24lb premium ink jet paper. Worked for me. I now keep my planner and calendar on my smart phone and carry a couple of journals for my writings. /Craig

 

Craig did you need to have Outlook or were you able to print the planner forms from their software individually? I don't have much use for all their other forms its just the daily view, 2 pages for each day.

 

Its too bad all their stores are closed, only on line now.

 

[donwinn]

I use Planner Pad (not affileated) planners, which are very FP friendly. I actually use the Monarch size, and Keep it in a Wenger Swiss Army Binder/Portfolio/Briefcase. I also use their Notes on the Run, probably the best 3 x 5 form factor cards I have ever found as far as FP friendliness. The prices are reasonable also.

 

Donnie

 

I have changed my system and the planner pad might really work for me - any idea if it fits the 7 ring Daytimer binders? I like my binder and don't particularly want to buy a new one...

 

I am not certain, but it appears to have the correct spacing. I am almost sure that the Daytimer and Franklin Covey and Planner Pad all use the same hole spacing for their 7 ring binders. It would make little sense to make different spacing.

 

Donnie

[jimbro2k]

Don't forget this:

 

http://www.diyplanner.com/

 

Just print & punch (& Cut if desired)

I use it exclusively now, with a variety of papers. Resume paper is a bit more expensive, but takes ink very, very well.

 

This was posted on FPN earlier, I apologize to the original poster for not remembering his/her name so I could give credit.