Have you ever started a journal just to stop because you had nothing to write about? Junk journaling is a great style of journaling that allows you to save down memories and be creative, without a pen in sight.

This blog covers all the basics of junk journaling for beginners, so you can learn everything you need to know about junk journals to get started. Read on, or use the links below to navigate to different information.

*Example of a spread from my own junk journal*

For this spread, I used a photo, leftover scrap paper and postcards, stickers, and a quote which I typed and printed.

What Is Junk Journaling?

Junk journaling is a type of journaling that fills notebooks with paper and fabric scraps, along with journal supplies like stickers and washi tape, to save down memories and ideas.

Junk journaling and scrapbooking are very similar. The name stems from the fact that the materials used are often ‘junk’, for example the sleeve of a coffee lid or an old train ticket.

The Benefits Of Junk Journaling

There are many reasons why people choose to make junk journals. Some of the benefits include:

It’s a creative outlet

Junk journaling is a way to explore your creative side without needing to be good at traditional art or writing. Starting junk journaling can be a great way to explore your creativity without the pressure of creating something perfect.

Stores memories

In this digital age, junk journaling is a refreshing way to keep memories. Unlike more writing based forms of journaling, junk journaling can be a fun and artistic way to note down moments from your life. It also gives you a visual book to look back on when you want to remember past events.

It’s a relaxing hobby

There are many aspects of junk journaling that can be enjoyable and relaxing. Cutting, sticking, drawing, and writing can all be a way to switch off at the end of your day and relax, without resorting to scrolling on your phone.

It’s accessible and affordable

Junk journaling is a really accessible and affordable hobby. While there are plenty of junk journal supplies you can buy, all you need to get started is a high quality notebook, glue, and materials you save from your day.

It provides a community

While most people choose to junk journal by themselves, there are lots of online communities dedicated to sharing junk journal spreads, tips, and supplies.

How To Start Junk Journaling

Getting started with junk journaling is easy, and you don’t need much to get started. While there are a few things you’ll need to buy, the best junk journaling supplies are things you can collect for free every day.

Essential Junk Journaling Supplies

Notebook or journal

There is no one best journal for junk journaling, and picking your journal can be a really fun task. Things to consider when choosing your junk journal notebook are:

Size: Any size notebook works! Small notebook pages are easier to fill and can be less daunting, while larger notebook pages can allow more creativity and bigger spreads.

Pages: Pages can be either lined, plain, dotted, or graph depending on your preference, but I’d recommend a thicker paper as this will be more durable for gluing and sticking down your junk. The best notebooks for junk journaling have at least 100gsm paper thickness.

Binding style: It’s better to choose a lay flat style of binding, ideally a stitch bound notebook such as our handmade hardcover notebooks, as these are more durable and can cope with the expanded pages that occur with junk journaling better.

Junk journal glue

Any glue will technically work but a wetter glue, such as PVA, can cause the pages to wrinkle and take longer to dry which risks the pages getting stuck together. I think the humble glue stick is the best glue for junk journaling, but a tape glue and double sided sticky tape work great too.

Pens and pencils

While you don’t have to write in a junk journal, it’s likely you will make notes on your pages. Having a variety of pens and pencils allows you to customise each page and write down memories.

Scissors

A lot of people prefer to tear materials for their junk journals but scissors are useful when you want to keep specific aspects of your junk or have a more defined shape.

Best Junk Journal ‘Junk’

Once you have your basic junk journal supplies, you just need personal materials and mementos to get started. Some ideas of junk to save for your journals include:

Train or bus tickets
Receipts
Handwritten notes
Business cards
Wrapping paper
Postcards
Gig tickets
Pressed flowers
Photographs
Food and drink wrapping
Envelopes

Anything physical that reminds you of a time you want to journal about works!

Non-Essential Supplies

If you want to create really visual, diverse junk journal spreads, some items you can add to your journal supplies include:

Magazines
Stickers
Fabric scraps
Pages from books
Sheet music
Patterned paper and card
Washi tape

*Paper and card scraps are great for junk journaling*

Charity shops and craft shops can be great for finding some of these supplies. We sell junk journal scrap packs here which includes patterned paper, card and stickers that would have otherwise be binned.

Junk Journaling Ideas For Beginners

Starting a junk journal can feel quite daunting. Why not try one of these ideas to get you started!

What does your dream life/ job/ house look like?
What you did this weekend
Your family tree
Your ‘want to read’ book list
Your current favourite books/ songs/ TV shows
A letter to your future self
Your favourite quotes
A holiday you want to do

Junk Journaling Tips

Before you head off to start your junk journal, here are some more tips to help you on your way.

Start With A Theme

A good way to approach each junk journal session is with an idea or theme of your spread. This allows you to be completely creative, without the uncertainty of what to journal about. This could simply be a day you’ve had, or a concept like your perfect life.

There Are No Rules

There are no rules to junk journaling, other than to have fun. Your spreads can be minimal, cluttered, no writing, lots of writing, messy, neat… And no two spreads have to be the same format or style.

Perfection Doesn’t Exist

Obsessing over creating the perfect spread is one way to ruin your junk journaling experience. Keep an open mind and see where your junk journaling takes you – there is no such thing as a perfect junk journal, which means you can have more fun and enjoy the process.

Hopefully now you know all the basics of junk journaling and feel ready to start your own! If you need supplies, check out our handmade notebooks and stickers.

The Beginner’s Guide To Junk Journaling