Must-Have Planner Supplies: Pens, Stamps, Stickers, and Washi Tape Worth Picking Up

Introduction

Getting a new planner is half the fun. Getting the supplies to fill it is the other half. This roundup covers the must-have planner supplies for 2024, organized into two groups: basics for anyone starting from scratch, and tools for people who prefer to build their own DIY layouts. If you are starting fresh, a sensible starter kit includes a pen, highlighters, stickers or stamps, and maybe a bookmark.

Planner Basics

Best Erasable Pen: Pilot FriXion Ball Knock Zone

Everyone’s favorite planner pen got a major upgrade. The Pilot FriXion Ball Knock Zone features ink that is 30% more saturated than the original FriXion gel pen, which helps your schedule stand out on the page. It is just as erasable as its predecessor, so you can keep your spreads neat when plans change. The main limitation is that it is currently available in only three colors, so if you want a wider palette, the original FriXion gel pen remains a solid alternative.

Erasable Pens and Highlighters

If you would rather get your color fix from a highlighter set, the Monami Live Color Twin Marker is available in three color-coordinated sets that range from muted to bright. Highlighters are perfect for blocking out periods of time, emphasizing important events, or simply adding a splash of color to a boring spread. These markers even have a fineliner on the other side, so you can use them to write as well.

Pre-Inked Stamps That Erase

If you have recurring to-dos, events, or habits you are tracking, a set of pre-inked stamps will save you time. The Pilot FriXion Stamps are thermo-sensitive and “erase” with heat from friction, which is perfect for when plans change. New designs are released regularly, so it is worth picking up the ones you like while they are available.

Stickers for Cohesive Spreads

If you just want to add some charm, sticker sheets like the Hisago Myfav Planner Stickers are themed and color-coordinated to make cohesive spreads without much effort.

Bookmarks and Page Markers

A bookmark or two makes it easy to flip to the latest or most important pages in your planner. Mark’s Index Bookmarks come in sets of two, one for marking the month and another for the day. They might feel a bit bulky for some users.

For an equally whimsical option that is more compact, the animal-themed Tohkin Index Clips make flipping through your planner more fun. The silhouettes are made of thick paper, so you can write or draw on them as well.

DIY Planners

If you prefer to build your own layouts, the right supplies make creating planner spreads a cinch. This section focuses on the tools that matter most for DIY planner work.

Washi Tape for DIY Layouts

The one item we absolutely recommend for DIY planners is the JetPens Kanso Writeable Washi Tapes. They make it easy to create calendars, habit trackers, checklists, and more. The shape and days-of-the-week tapes are designed to fit perfectly in five-millimeter dot grid or graph paper, so you can use them in favorite notebooks like Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journals, Midori MD Notebooks, or Rhodia Webnotebooks. Plus, the tapes are writeable with gel pens, so there is no need to pull out a separate marker to use them.

Slim Alternative: Clear Stamps and Stamp Pads

Washi tape can add bulk to your planner. If you want to keep it slim, use schedule stamps like the BGM Clear Stamps instead. You can pair them with any stamp pad, but the Shachihatta Stamp Pads are a favorite for their range of beautiful colors. Make sure to pick up an acrylic block as well, because it will be hard to use clear stamps without one.

Portable Stamp Sets

Those who prefer to carry their supplies around can consider smaller stamps like the Beverly Planner Companion Stamp Sets. They come in sets of nine, so you can pick and choose which ones to keep with you. They are perfect for marking special days and events, or even just decorating a spread.

To use with them, pick up the compact MU Inky Pen Stamp Pads. They are extremely portable, with three unique colors stacked together. One caution: test it in your planner first, because it can leave an oily residue on some papers.

Decorative Stickers and Rolling Stamps

To spruce up your layouts, the Mark’s Flake Stickers are hard to beat. Not only are they super cute, you can actually write on them. The frame stickers in particular work well as labels.

We also love the Kamio Japan Coro-Re Rolling Stamps. Simply roll the stamps to add adorable borders to your spreads. You can even color in the designs, because the ink becomes waterproof once dry. And you do not have to worry about losing the caps, because they are attached.

Buying Advice

If you are starting from scratch, begin with the basics: an erasable pen, a highlighter set, and a bookmark or two. Once your planning habit settles, add stamps or stickers based on how you actually use your planner. If you build your own layouts, the writeable washi tape is the single most versatile upgrade, with clear stamps as the slimmer alternative. Whatever you choose, matching the supplies to your real planning style matters more than buying everything at once.

Conclusion

The best planner supplies are the ones you will actually reach for every week. Erasable pens keep spreads tidy when plans shift, stamps and stickers add structure and charm, and washi tape turns any notebook into a custom planner. Pick a few favorites from this list and enjoy the other half of the planner fun.