3×5 GTD Card Template on Letter (and A4) is available for free download

May 25 by | 23 comments | Lifehack, Productivity |

Introduction
Recently I started to found out it is not feasible to purchase all those 3×5 cards for my task list (and it is hard to feed into my printer!). I rather want to buy some standard papers and then cut them out. I spent some time on designing a template that suit this need.

Today I want to release my 3×5 GTD template. It is 4 cards-per-page template which suit into Letter (8.5×11) paper. I have tested in A4 as well and it also printed out nicely.

Update: (27/05/2005) Thanks for the emails that sent to me fill with feedback and suggestions. I took one good suggestion that the template may have too many things for experienced users and probably it is ideal to have more tasks columns to use. I took the suggestion and spent a night to create another template which has more tasks columns. Hope it will be more useful and let me know what do you think.

GTD 3x5 card template GTD 3×5 card PDF template

GTD 3x5 Index Template More Tasks Version GTD 3×5 card with ‘more tasks columns’ PDF template

Layout
The card contains a context field and many tasks columns so that you can have one context per card. I have also designed to have it orienated in portrait instead of landscape so it can fit in more tasks per card.

How-to print
You can buy some card stock 8.5×11 paper and print on it using Adobe PDF Reader. After the print out, follow the trim lines to cut those 4 cards. This should be the most cheapest way you can get for 3×5 cards. Finally bind them together by using small binder clips.

You can also print them off to normal Letter paper and then cut it off, bind it with binder or simply staple it.

How-to use?
You can staple or bind whole bunch of those cards (I bind it on the bottom-left of the card). Then you should name it into different contexts like “Next Actionsâ€? , “Waitingâ€?, “Errands”, “Agenda”, “Home” etc on the top right hand side field.

Once you have filled in the card, you simply add in a new one for the context. Once you have completed all of the tasks on the card, you can simply rebind with the new one.

Hope you find it useful. As usual, the template is free. Let me know your feedback and tips on how to use them.

Download Four 3×5 GTD Card Template

  • http://gurno.com/adam/j2 Adam Gurno

    I wrote a quick primer on how to print to 3×5 cards using a Mac at http://gurno.com/adam/j2/index.php?p=44 with links to my template and templates created by others.

    Another trick, if you are printing directly on 3×5 cards is to print on the backside of a lined card, rather than using a completely blank card. This way you can flip the card and used the lined areas as easy overflow.

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  • Harry

    Am I missing something, or is anyone else having this problem. The templates are printing out a bit smaller than 3 x 5. Like 2 7/8 x 4 3/4. Just wondering if I’m not doing something right.

    The reason I ask is because I would be filing these with my pre-existing 3.5 cards, and I’d like them to match. I’m anal that way.

  • http://iburiedpaulcrashedcar.net I am the eggman

    Goo goo ga joob.

  • Leon

    Harry, I measured the print out and they are definitely 3×5. Have you set anything on the “Page scaling”? If it sets anything other than “None” then it may affects the size of the print out. Hope it helps :)

  • Harry

    Thanks, Leon. That was the problem. My default on page scaling was shrink to fit. That was easy.

  • Jen

    Has anyone else noticed? It may be a coincident, but this looks very much like the original design for the d*i*y planner templates at millionmonkeystyping.net which has been getting rave reviews, and has been offered for free under creative commons. If so, it would be nice and only polite to give credit where credit is due. (not to mention a link.) I understand the gentleman was also planning on releasing a version of some these templates for index cards.

    all the best with gtd

  • Lawrence

    It may just be your assumption. I used both templates and both are different in style – D*I*Y planner is more elegant in design with more fields in their GTD template but this template is focusing on simpler design. IMHO latter one is more friendly to my printer and ink, and it is the only one with index card size around ATM.

    Good job.

  • Harry

    Okay, another dumb question. Anyone come up with a way to type text into this little card? My version of adobe reader won’t let me do it.

  • Jen

    i haven’t printed these lawrence, so i’ll take your word for it. (btw following the diy planner instructions in the guidebook makes a big difference when it comes to saving on ink.) Still a striking similarity you have to admit. My apologies for any assumptions, hurt feelings, and not to mention the typo (i’m a slightly sleep deprived new mom).

    the diy planner cards will be released any time now.

    Harry, in the old days i used to type on index cards with a typewriter… if anyone still has one kicking around. (^;

  • Alan

    What kind of paper are most people printing this to? I have some 60lb stock at work, but it doesn’t seem stiff enough. Will heavier cardstock go through most printers?

  • http://www.edendevelopment.co.uk/svgplanner Chris Parsons

    I’ve done something similar to this in the last few days, working with D*I*Y planner to provide SVG versions. Check out http://www.edendevelopment.co.uk/svgplanner

    The great thing about SVG is you can tweak it slightly to work with your printer, or change the colours/layout etc around to your hearts content.

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  • Michael

    I just changed the page size to 3″x5″ and then set ‘fit to page’ on the print options. The entire D*I*Y Planner printed out wonderfully.

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  • http://lexhooi.blogspot.com lex

    POCKET MOD TEMPLATE – half A4 size

    checklist
    shopping list (with categories so you can go aisle by aisle)
    daily plan (8am to midnite)
    weekly plan
    todo list (categorized by work, freelance, future projects, hobbies)
    Blog ideas (categorized by different blogs you have)
    gym record (categorized by weight training, yoga, run)
    gym details (records distance covered)
    food log

    http://lexhooi.blogspot.com/2007/08/pocket-modgtd.html

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  • http://www.boredoms4squares.com Elflord

    I like this template, but I would prefer a version where the bottom half is flipped vertically, because I prefer to skip the cutting step and just leave my booklet all folded together. That way I don’t need a clip to keep them together.