Reusable Posty Notes

These are essentially note sized post-able whiteboards or simply reusable post-it notes.  At my workplace we seem to use a ridiculous amount of post-it notes. Although must are discarded in the paper recycling, perhaps there is a greener solution. 

I started with keeping a small DIY whiteboard (there are several here at Instructables to try) by my desk and asked my co-workers to use that if they needed to leave me a message.  I've had some success with that though I thought it would be great if I could use something similar to leave messages on other people's desks, documents, monitors, doors, etc.  So I made these laminated notes with Blu-Tack stuck on the back.

Step 1: Materials and Tools:

• Scrapbook paper (you can use wrapping paper, magazine cut outs etc.)
• Clear vinyl contact paper
• Computer paper (try coloured paper for eye catching notes)
• Binder clips
• Blu-Tack or Removable Glue Dots
• Cardboard
• Velcro with adhesive on the back
• Small craft pom-poms (you can also use felt)
• String
• Fine tip dry erase marker
• Glue, tape, scissors, ruler
• Templates (optional), see below

Step 2: Contact paper

To create a whiteboard-like coating for the posty notes you can either get them laminated or cover both sides with contact paper. I used some inexpensive contact paper that I found at the dollar store which could cover two and a half sheets of 8.5x11paper (whereas laminating an 8.5x11 sheet of paper would cost $2.50.)

To apply the contact paper cut two pieces large enough to cover the computer paper that you are using for your notes.  Peel off the backing of the sheet and stick it to one side of the note paper.  Start from the top edge and roll the backing down, use a ruler to smooth it out and prevent  bubbles or creases.  Repeat on the other side.

Step 3: Cut notes

I made two sizes of notes, one is longer than regular post it notes and the other is slightly smaller. If you used the templates (you can find them in the materials section in Step1) just cut along the dotted lines to cut out the notes. 

If you are using your own paper (assuming it is 8.5x11), to make the longer notes cut the paper in two along the width and in four pieces along the length making  a total of eight notes.  The smaller notes are made by cutting the paper in three along the width and in four along the length creating twelve notes.

Step 4: Add Blu-Tack

To (try to) replicate the temporary adhesive qualities of the Post It note I used Blu-Tack.  Just roll out 1-2 small balls of Blu-Tack and stick it to the back of each of your reusable notes near the top. 

Removable glue dots can also be used instead of Blu-Tack as it doesn't leave any residue behind, thanks to browsercat for the suggestion.

Before I thought to use Blu-Tack I considered taping paperclips to the back or using small magnets, but there would be limitations to where you would be able to stick it.  I haven't had much experience using Blu-Tack but it does seem to do the trick though it sometimes leaves little blue bits behind and I'm not sure if it deteriorates with time.

Step 5: Make holder

To encourage my coworkers to use these greener notes I made a handy holder with the appropriate marker and eraser attached. I made a prettier one for a friend using nice scrapbook paper and matching binder clip. 

Cut out a piece of cardboard (you could use cereal boxes or other cardboard packaging for this) large enough to place your notes and marker on.  If you want to go fancy like I did, cut out a piece of pretty paper and glue it onto the cardboard.

Step 6: Making holder continued

Place one piece of the Velcro(loops) onto the cardboard and the other piece (hooks) onto the marker . Tape the binder clip near the top of the cardboard holder (you don't really need the clip to hold down the notes because the Blu-Tack does the trick, but it provides a nice place to tie the eraser.)  Cut a short piece of string and glue one end to the pom pom (eraser).  Tie the other end to the binder clip. Place your stack of reusable notes in the holder and it is ready to use.

Comments

[kirnex]

This is a very cool instructable. I love it.

I'm sure you know this, but they make dry-erase board Con-tact paper now. It's a bit pricier than the traditional stuff, but it'd be great for something like this!

I actually prefer your method in that you can customize the appearance of the post-it paper. Excellent idea with unlimited possible variations! Thanks for sharing it.

[modelbuildermad]

this is just brilliant !!!!!!!!!!! very nice

[ChrysN]

Thanks! I use it a lot at work.

[CookieMonstah123]

I just really like dis!!!

[star_above_the_clouds]

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.!!! :D

[ChrysN]

Thanks!

[Dr. Pepper]

wow you are truly inspirational, great job!

[ChrysN]

Thanks!

[Dr. Pepper]

your welcome!

[mikeasaurus]

Nice job on the win, Chrys!

[ChrysN]

Thanks!

[Servelan]

Very cool. I use Post-it notes constantly to keep organized and would love to get away from the one time only use.

Instead of Blu-tak, you could also use movable glue, aka stick it again and again [not sure of the actual name, but that's close]. It's sold in hobby shops and people who do dollhouse miniatures use it to tack down small objects, but still enable them to be moved...BTW, Blu-tak can leave marks on some surfaces, so you have to be careful not to put it on wood or anything absorbent.

[ChrysN]

Thanks for the tip, is it something like this: http://www.gluedots.com/display/router.aspx?DocID=1083.  That sounds even better than Blu-tack.

[Inannamute]

I use those in some of my artwork, to mount things. They're pretty cool, come on a little sheet.. They remind me of the glue that you find on things you buy in stores sometimes, you know, it sort of peels off pretty easily? The stuff they use to stick gift cards to their backing in grocery stores..

I think those would probably work for what you're doing, and they're not all that expensive for a *lot* of them.

[Creativeman]

Great idea/instructable ChrysN! Thanks. While still working in the lab I came up with the idea of recycling all the hardcopies we generated for reports...we also needed note paper at all phone locations and work stations. So I made small boxes as shown, cut the used paper that was slated for the recycle bin, and solved two issues at once. If you do this, all names must removed from the reports, of course. Most names were included only in the header of the report so it was a simple matter to cut off the headers. I liked the idea so well the hot dog box is on my counter in the kitchen!

[ChrysN]

That's a great way to reuse paper and cute boxes too!

[artobot]

I need to make a ton of these for work. Awesome idea.

[ChrysN]

Thanks!

[pecospearl]

Great idea, held up by a great Van cat. I have one too and he is such a gentle giant.

[scoochmaroo]

This is awesome. Very clever.

[ChrysN]

Thanks!