3 Smart Ways to Save Money on Your Custom Planner Design
It’s no secret that working with overseas manufacturers (or domestic production partners) to create a custom product can be an expensive process.
You have to keep in mind that the quantity ordered is generally on the higher end, and with a custom product comes shipping costs, packaging costs, and more.
However, if you’re looking to keep your finances in check while producing the planner of your dreams, here are three smart ways to save on cost when it comes to producing a custom planner or product.
01. Use one color in your design.
A one-color planner design refers to the use of ONE color throughout the interior pages — and it happens to be the most cost-effective option when considering where to save money in your custom planner design.
Your one color may be black, gray, or even a single Pantone (PMS) color. This creates a more conservative and clean option from a design standpoint, best suited for a minimalistic look and feel — but one-color planner designs don’t have to be boring. Using different shades of your one chosen color is a great way to introduce more variation and interest in your planner design.
02. Use a thinner paper option.
Your paper choice is the number one factor that affects the cost of your planner — this is because it accounts for the majority of the materials used.
On the other hand, it can also make or break your user experience. If the paper is too thin, pen ink can bleed, pages can easily tear, or anything your customer writes on one side of the paper could show through to the other side, making the pages look messy or hard to read. If the paper is too thick, the planner could become too heavy and cumbersome to carry around.
The cost of paper increases as the weight/thickness increases. Luxury planners use thicker paper — around 80lb in US measurements. However, you can save money by using 70lb paper. Just be sure to do a pen test on the paper before deciding to use it for your designs.
Bonus Tip:
The more pages your planner has, the more expensive it will be as well. So be very mindful of the content you include in your planner and ask yourself if including it in the planner itself is a must, or if you’d be better off making a separate product with that extra content.
03. Keep it simple.
Adding a lot of bells and whistles to your planner construction will add to the cost. This includes special features such as metal corner embellishments, foil printing on the interior pages, elastic closure details, pocket pages, and keepsake boxes.
These touches can elevate your planner and make the planning experience more luxe — which is great for the user experience, but not so great for your budget.
You’re running a business after all, and the point is to be able to stay in business for the long haul. It’s OK to compromise on these things and omit them in the beginning. You can always add them in as you grow and have more money to invest in your products.
Bonus Tip:
And if you must choose between adding special, upgraded features to your planner vs. upgrading your paper to a nicer option, always spend it on the paper.
No matter what you choose to include or upgrade in your planner design, approach each decision thinking about both your ideal customer experience and your budget for this project.
These two key points will ensure you’re creating a product they’ll love while being savvy with your finances, so you have the capacity to keep growing, expanding, and serving long after your custom product has entered the world.
Have you been feeling inspired and ready to kick off the design process for your own custom planner?
I created a guide featuring 5 things your day planner MUST include . . . and it’s available now at the link below.