It's a timeless tradition: customizing school supplies! As a parent with years of experience helping my daughter Lotte make her essentials uniquely hers, I can attest to the joy it brings. From decking out her agenda top to bottom to transforming other items, we've turned shopping trips into creative adventures.
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Back-to-school season is here. Most kids have returned to class, with the last groups starting next week. Whether you've shopped ahead or need last-minute finds, check out HEMA's back-to-school range for affordable, quality basics.
Their collections feature fun themes like jungle prints, tiger patterns, or playful Kalvijn designs—plenty of options to suit every taste.
The real magic happens when you make them your own. Start with HEMA basics (plain or printed) and add personal touches. Drawing from our hands-on experience, here are proven ideas to inspire you.
Lotte transformed a basic green 24-ring folder from HEMA to fit her collection. She printed lemons, cut them precisely, and glued them on. For the finishing touch, I used my Cricut machine to create a vinyl sticker for the center. The result? A vibrant, one-of-a-kind folder.
Ring binders come in various colors but rarely with custom prints. This method lets you craft something truly unique. Her friends loved it so much, they're requesting Cricut designs too!
I've curated additional expert tips from our trials and popular trends, including fresh book-covering techniques.
Use simple cover paper for standout results. Repurpose old cards, brown kraft paper, or magazine cutouts. This works great for notepads too—simple, effective, and budget-friendly.
Try hand lettering or scrapbooking on notebooks, files, or pads. Opt for textured covers like kraft paper for best adhesion—avoid glossy surfaces.
Not ready for lettering? Washi tape is your go-to. With endless colors and patterns, it adds a custom vibe quickly, no advanced skills needed.
Give your calculator flair with paint, nail polish, washi tape, or stickers. The pink flamingo design is a favorite—fun and functional.
Elevate pencil cases with studs, rhinestones, or fabric customizations. Lotte loves her lemon HEMA case, but fabric ones (like jeans) take embellishments beautifully, as seen in this fun example from Jill.
