Learning how to make a junk journal is less about fancy bookbinding and more about building a home for your scraps. Follow these steps with basic tools; upgrade later if you fall in love with the craft.
What you need
- A cover: composition notebook, thrifted hardcover, or chipboard wrapped in fabric/paper
- Inner papers: printer paper, book pages, scrapbook sheets, envelopes
- Adhesive: glue stick, PVA, or double-sided tape
- Scissors, bone folder (or a spoon), optional awl and waxed thread for sewn binding
- Decor: stickers, washi, ephemera from junk journal supplies
Step 1 — Decide size and vibe
A6 and traveler-notebook sizes travel well; A5 gives more collage room. Pick a vibe early (vintage, gothic, cottage) so shopping stays focused—browse kits if you want a curated palette.
Step 2 — Build or choose the cover
Wrap chipboard in kraft paper or fabric, or decorate a ready notebook. Reinforce the spine with washi or book cloth. Leave the inside covers plain for endpapers you will collage later.
Step 3 — Make signatures
A signature is a stack of folded pages. Fold 4–8 sheets in half, nest them, and press. Mix paper types: one envelope, one book page, two plain sheets. Variety creates the junk-journal feel.
Step 4 — Bind
Easy path: glue signatures into a composition book after removing some original pages for bulk.
Sewn path: poke three holes along the fold and use a pamphlet stitch. Repeat for each signature, then glue signatures into the cover spine with a thin PVA layer.
Step 5 — Add structure: pockets & tabs
Before heavy decorating, add 2–3 pockets, a belly band, and tabbed dividers for seasons or themes. Tuck ATC cards into pockets as you make them.
Step 6 — Decorate in layers
Background paper → mid-layer ephemera → stickers/tape → journaling. Use 3D PET stickers sparingly as focals. For dark themes, pull from gothic-dark.
Step 7 — Fill slowly
Do not decorate every page on day one. Leave breathing room. When you need surprise fodder, open a mystery pack and commit to using whatever you pull on the next spread.
Troubleshooting
- Too bulky: remove pages, use thinner glue, avoid stacking too many 3D stickers.
- Warping: let pages dry under a heavy book.
- Creative block: steal a prompt from our 50 junk journal ideas list.
Shop the supplies
Browse curated junk journal supplies, ready-made junk journal kits, ATC blanks, 3D PET stickers, gothic & dark themes, and mystery packs. Prefer a head start? Begin with a ready kit, then customize.
Happy journaling — from Mumuarts at Goodiesforsoul.
