A junk journal is a journal you build from recycled and found paper: old letters, tickets, book pages, envelopes and scraps you would normally throw away. You fill it with collage, writing, tape and small keepsakes, with no rules about neatness. To start, pick a base book, gather free paper from home, and make one simple spread.
Key Takeaways
- A junk journal is a book made from recycled or upcycled papers. The "junk" is everyday paper you already have, not trash you have to clean up.
- It is looser than a scrapbook and more personal than a sketchbook: mixed papers, layered collage and as much or as little writing as you like.
- Your base book can be a store-bought notebook, a refillable cover with removable inserts, a binder, or folded signatures you sew yourself.
- You can start for free. Add low-cost supplies like washi tape, stickers and collage paper only when you know what you enjoy.
- The three classic beginner problems are a book too thick to close, pages that warp from wet glue, and adhesive that will not hold heavy pieces.
What is a junk journal?
A junk journal is a hand-assembled book built from recycled, repurposed and found paper, used for memory keeping, collage, writing or all three. Wikipedia's entry on the junk journal describes it as a journal "of any size, composed of recycled or upcycled papers," usually put together by hand from various materials, and notes that it arose as a DIY twist on scrapbooking and collage.
The appeal is the mix. One page might be a torn map with a train ticket taped over it. The next might be a sheet of ledger paper with three lines about your week and a pressed leaf. Nothing has to match, and the book usually gets chunkier and more personal as it fills.
Why is it called junk journaling?
It is called junk journaling because the raw materials are things people usually discard: receipts, envelopes, packaging, cereal-box card, old sheet music, tea tags and junk mail. The same Wikipedia entry lists sources such as "letters, papers, books, photos, invoices" and points out that the materials are almost entirely found items, unlike scrapbooking. "Junk" here means humble, not dirty. Most junk journalers keep a small box or envelope where useful paper goes instead of the recycling bin.
What a junk journal is used for
People use junk journals in a few overlapping ways. You do not need to pick one; many books drift between them.
- Memory keeping: trips, concerts, a season of life, a year with a new baby or a new city.
- Creative practice: trying collage, layering and color without the pressure of a pristine sketchbook.
- Everyday journaling: short notes, lists and reflections with paper scraps for company.
- Gifts: a small themed book made for a friend, filled with tags and pockets for them to finish.
Junk journal vs scrapbook vs art journal
The quick difference: a scrapbook arranges photos and memorabilia neatly around a story, an art journal is mainly a place to paint and draw, and a junk journal sits between them, built from mixed found papers with collage and writing layered together. The table below sums up how they usually differ in practice.
| Feature | Junk journal | Scrapbook | Art journal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Collage, memory keeping and writing mixed together | Preserving and presenting personal or family history | Visual art practice: paint, drawing, mixed media |
| Base book | Often self-assembled or a refillable cover; any size | Usually a manufactured album with uniform pages | Usually a sketchbook with heavy paper |
| Pages | Mixed papers of different sizes, colors and textures | Uniform pages, often square | Uniform, heavier art paper |
| Materials | Found paper, ephemera, tape, stickers, fabric scraps | Photos, captions, matching embellishments | Paint, ink, gesso, drawing media |
| Look | Layered, textured, imperfect on purpose | Tidy, story-led layouts | Expressive, painterly |
| Writing | Optional; tucked into tags, pockets and margins | Captions and journaling blocks | Optional; often lettering within the art |
Wikipedia defines scrapbooking as "a method of preserving, presenting, and arranging personal and family history," which explains the tidier, story-first feel. The junk journal entry adds that scrapbooks are usually manufactured books with a more uniform focus, while a junk journal "tends to be made up of all types of unrelated papers" and "is less precise than a scrapbook." In real life the lines blur, and that is fine. If you like neat photo pages inside a junk journal, add them.
What goes in a junk journal?
A junk journal holds five kinds of material: ephemera, background and collage paper, tape, stickers and labels, and your own words. You do not need all five on every page. Most spreads use one background, one or two focal pieces and a few small accents.
Ephemera
Ephemera are the small printed items of daily life that were never meant to be kept. Wikipedia's article on ephemera calls them "the minor transient documents of everyday life" and lists examples such as menus, ticket stubs, newspapers, postcards, posters, sheet music, stickers and greeting cards. The word comes from the Ancient Greek ephēmeros, "lasting only a day." In a junk journal, ephemera are usually the stars of the page: the boarding pass, the café receipt, the seed packet from the garden. For a deeper look at the term and what collectors value, read our guide to what ephemera is and how to use it.
Background and collage paper
These are the layers that sit behind everything else. Free options include book pages from damaged paperbacks, brown paper bags, envelopes with security patterns inside, old maps and wrapping paper. Printed collage papers add a coordinated look when your found paper feels too random. A mixed pack such as our vintage kraft collage paper pack has 30 small sheets in themes like floral garden, coffee and tea, and travel letters, which is enough backgrounds for a first book. Translucent parchment sheets are useful too, because you can lay them over writing or a photo and still see what is underneath.
Tape
Washi tape is the most-used tool in many junk journals. It holds light pieces, hides rough edges, makes hinges for flip-up tags and adds color in a strip. It is low tack, so you can usually lift and reposition it while you plan. Plain masking tape and fabric tape are also common. Our washi tape and sticker ideas guide covers seven tape techniques, from hinges to skinny-tape grids.
Stickers, labels and small accents
Stickers fill gaps, add a date or a word, and seal envelopes and pockets. Vintage-style paper stickers, seal stickers and corner stickers fit the junk journal look well. Other small accents include stamps, buttons, lace, string, pressed flowers and paper clips. Keep metal and bulky pieces to a minimum at first, because they add thickness quickly.
Your own words
Writing is what turns a pretty collage into a journal. It can be a full page, a few lines on a tag or one word on a strip of tape. More on that below.
Do you write in a junk journal?
Yes, most people write in their junk journals, though how much is up to you. Some journalers write a full entry and collage around it. Others keep the writing on tags, envelopes and the backs of ephemera so the page stays visual. Both are real junk journaling.
Here are easy ways to add words without staring at a blank page:
- Caption the ephemera. Write the date, place and who you were with on the back of a ticket or next to it.
- Use tags and tuck cards. A tag slipped into a pocket can hold a longer note that stays private until someone pulls it out.
- Write lists. Three good things today, songs on repeat, things overheard at the market.
- Copy a line. A quote from a book you are reading, written on a strip of paper and taped down.
- Answer one prompt. If you get stuck, our junk journal ideas article has 30 page ideas with materials and a time estimate for each.
If your pages are textured or glossy, write on a separate card or tag first and then stick it in. Ballpoint and fine gel pens handle most papers; on coated ephemera a permanent marker usually works better.
Choosing a base book
The best base book for a beginner is the one you will actually open. If you want to start today, use a sturdy notebook you already own. If you want to keep adding pages for years, a refillable cover or binder works well. If you want the classic chunky look, fold and sew your own signatures. The table below compares the main options.
| Base book | Best for | Pros | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Store-bought bound notebook | Starting today, writing-heavy journals | No setup; paper is uniform and easy to write on | The spine has no room for bulk; remove a few pages if you add a lot of layers |
| Refillable cover (TN-style or tri-fold) | Long-term use, travel, swapping themes | Inserts can be removed and replaced; the cover lasts through many fills | Each insert should stay fairly slim so the cover still closes |
| Loose-leaf binder | Rearranging pages, adding pockets later | Pages lie flat and can be moved around | Punched pages can tear if very heavy items are attached |
| Self-made signatures with a pamphlet stitch | The classic junk journal look, mixed paper sizes | Total freedom of paper, size and thickness | Takes an hour or two to build; needs a needle and thread |
| Altered old book | Vintage feel, using a book that is already damaged | Ready-made hard cover with printed pages as backgrounds | You must remove pages to make room for collage, or it will not close |
What journals to use for junk journaling?
Look for three things: paper that is heavy enough to hold glue without buckling, a cover that can flex a little as the book fills, and a size you can carry or work on comfortably. Kraft and thicker wood-free papers are popular because they take glue and pen well and suit the vintage look. A cowhide sketchbook with 120 gsm kraft pages, a refillable leather cover with removable inserts, or a slim A6 grid notebook all work as starting points. If you would rather build the book yourself, our guide to making a junk journal from scratch explains how to fold signatures and keep the book closable, and it walks through both a no-sew and a sewn build.
Which size should a beginner choose?
Smaller is easier. A pocket or A6-sized book fills quickly, which keeps you motivated, and small spreads need fewer pieces to look finished. A5 gives more room for large collage and longer writing. Very large books can feel intimidating to fill, so many people start small and go bigger on their second book.
Junk journal supplies by budget
You can make a complete first junk journal for nothing. Supplies only become useful once you know which parts of the craft you enjoy. Sort your supplies into three tiers and only move up a tier when a real need appears.
| Tier | What to use | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Free (found at home) | Envelopes, receipts, tickets, cereal-box card, brown paper bags, book pages from damaged books, old calendars, tea tags, string, a glue stick, scissors | Teaches you what you like before you spend anything; this is the original spirit of junk journaling |
| Low-cost | A washi tape set in mixed widths, a pack of vintage paper stickers, a pack of printed collage or parchment paper, a stronger liquid glue, a bone folder or the back of a spoon | Pulls a random mix together with coordinated colors and gives you reliable adhesive |
| Nice-to-have | A leather or PU refillable cover, a brass stencil ruler for headers, rubber stamps and ink, a paper trimmer, a craft knife and cutting mat | Saves time and makes the book feel finished; worth it once you know you will keep going |
If you would rather open one box and start, a journaling kit that pairs a small notebook with stickers, papers and tape covers the low-cost tier in one go. Our journaling gift sets are built around that idea.
How to make your first junk journal spread
Your first spread should take under an hour and use things you already have. Choose a small theme, build from the back layer forward, and stop before the page feels full. Follow these steps.
- Pick a tiny theme. "Saturday morning," "the coffee shop," or "things from my bag this week." A narrow theme makes choices easier.
- Gather 8 to 12 pieces. One or two backgrounds, one focal item (a ticket, photo or postcard), and a handful of small accents. Lay them out before gluing anything.
- Choose a color story. Pull out pieces that share two or three colors, such as kraft brown, cream and dusty blue. Set aside anything that fights the palette.
- Lay the background. Glue down your largest paper first. Tear the edges instead of cutting them for a softer look; our guide to torn paper collage explains why tearing along the paper's grain gives cleaner edges.
- Place the focal piece. Put it slightly off center, then anchor it with tape on one or two edges so it stays put.
- Add a pocket or flap. Glue three sides of an envelope or a folded scrap to make a pocket. Tuck a tag inside for writing.
- Layer small accents. Add a sticker, a strip of washi tape and a stamp or doodle near the focal piece. Work in odd numbers, such as three small items, to keep the eye moving.
- Write something. A date, a line about the day, or a list on the tag.
- Press it. Close the book with a sheet of scrap paper between the pages and put something heavy on top for a few hours so the glue dries flat.
Done is better than perfect. The second spread will be easier, and by the fifth you will have a feel for how much layering your book can take.
Five simple techniques every junk journal uses
Almost every junk journal page is built from the same five moves: pockets, tuck spots, tags, flip-outs and belly bands. Learn these and you can make any spread look interactive, even with plain paper.
Pockets
A pocket is anything with an opening that holds a loose item. The quickest version is an envelope glued down on three sides, with the flap left open or trimmed off. You can also fold a rectangle of paper in half, glue the side edges, and attach it to the page. Pockets are where tags, receipts and private notes live.
Tuck spots
A tuck spot is a slot rather than a full pocket. Glue a strip of paper across a page on its two ends only, leaving the middle loose, and you can slide a card or photo behind it. A strip of washi tape stuck down at both ends works the same way for very light items.
Tags
Tags are small cards, often with a punched hole and a loop of string, that slide into pockets. They are the easiest place to write, because you can write on a flat tag at the table and then tuck it away. Make them from cereal-box card, old greeting cards or the backs of envelopes.
Flip-outs
A flip-out is a piece of paper hinged on one edge so it opens like a small door. Tape or glue only one side of a card or folded paper to the page. It doubles the space on a spread and hides writing or a photo underneath.
Belly bands
A belly band is a strip of paper or ribbon wrapped around a single page or a signature, like a paper napkin ring. Slide tickets, a postcard or a small bundle of notes under it. It holds things in place without any glue at all, which makes it useful for items you might want to take out later.
Should you buy a junk journal book or make one?
Buy or reuse a book if you want to start collaging this week; make one if building the book is part of the fun for you. Neither approach is more "real." Plenty of experienced junk journalers alternate: a ready-made notebook or refillable insert when they want to focus on pages, and a self-made book when they have a stack of interesting paper they want to bind.
A good middle path is a refillable cover. You get a sturdy, ready-made outer shell, and you can still fill the inserts with your own mixed papers. When an insert is full and too thick to stay in the cover, slide it out, tie it with string, and add a fresh one. Our step-by-step junk journal tutorial shows how to make your own inserts to fit.
Junk journal themes for your first book
A theme gives your first book a direction so you know what to save and what to skip. Pick one that matches the paper you already collect.
- Everyday life: receipts, notes, coffee sleeves and a line about the day.
- Travel: maps, transit tickets, brochures and foreign coins in a pocket.
- Botanical: seed packets, pressed leaves, garden notes and floral papers.
- Letters: envelopes, stamps, postcards and handwritten notes from friends.
- Seasonal: one book per season, filled as the weeks go by.
- Reading: bookmarks, quotes, library slips and short reviews.
Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
Most beginner problems come from three things: adding bulk without making room for it, using too much wet glue, and choosing an adhesive that does not suit the material. Each one is easy to fix once you know the cause.
The book is too thick to close
Every pocket, tag and envelope adds thickness, but the spine stays the same width. Plan for it from the start: leave some pages plain, remove a page for every few you thicken, or use a binding with room to grow, such as a refillable cover. If you are making signatures, use fewer sheets per signature than you would for a writing notebook. A gentle wrap with string or an elastic band can hold a slightly chunky book closed, but a book that gapes open badly will strain its spine.
Pages warp and ripple
Wet glue makes paper swell, and it does not always shrink back evenly as it dries. A bookbinding worksheet from the University of Brighton explains that damp paper stretches more in one direction than the other, and that when glued layers stretch and shrink in opposite directions, warping can happen. To keep pages flat:
- Use a glue stick or double-sided tape for thin papers, and spread liquid glue in a thin, even layer.
- Glue the smaller, lighter piece onto the heavier one, not the other way round.
- Line up the grain of the papers you layer when you can.
- Press the finished page under weight until it is fully dry.
Pieces fall off or curl up
Glue sticks are great for paper on paper but often fail on glossy photos, coated cards and plastic. Washi tape is low tack by design, so it suits light pieces and hinges, not heavy items. Match the adhesive to the job: liquid glue or strong double-sided tape for heavy card, photo corners for photos you may want to remove later, and stitching or a staple for very heavy pieces. Our tutorial on how to use photo corners covers the photo side of this.
Waiting for the perfect supplies
Many people buy a pile of supplies and then feel too nervous to use them. Start with free paper, so mistakes cost nothing. Keep your favorite ephemera for later pages once you have practiced.
Trying to fill every inch
Empty space is part of the design. Leaving some background visible makes the focal piece stand out and keeps the book thinner.
How to keep your junk journal habit going
The easiest way to keep going is to make collecting part of your week and give yourself small, finishable sessions. Junk journals grow slowly, and that is part of the charm.
- Keep a collection envelope. Drop in tickets, receipts and interesting paper as they come. When you sit down to journal, you already have material.
- Prep pages ahead. On a free evening, glue backgrounds onto several pages. On busy days you only need to add one item and a few words.
- Work in themes. One insert for travel, one for reading, one for the garden. Refillable covers make this easy.
- Set a small target. One spread a week is plenty.
Your junk journaling reading list
Use these guides as next steps, depending on what you want to do first.
- How to make a junk journal from scratch: build a book with a no-sew method or a simple pamphlet stitch.
- Junk journal ideas: 30 page ideas sorted by theme and time needed.
- What is ephemera: what counts, where to find it and how to use it.
- Torn paper collage: layering, tearing and choosing the right glue.
- How to use photo corners: mount photos and tickets so they can be removed later.
Frequently asked questions
What journals to use for junk journaling?
Use any book with paper sturdy enough to hold glue: a thick notebook, a refillable cover with removable inserts, a loose-leaf binder, or signatures you fold and sew yourself. Kraft and heavier wood-free papers are popular. Choose a small size for your first book so it fills quickly.
Do you write in junk journals?
Yes, most people do, but the amount is up to you. You can write full entries and collage around them, or keep writing on tags, envelopes and the backs of tickets so the pages stay mostly visual. A date and one line about the day is enough.
What is ephemera in junk journaling?
Ephemera are everyday printed items that were not meant to be kept, such as tickets, receipts, postcards, menus, labels and letters. In junk journaling they are the focal pieces of a page, often framed with tape, tucked into pockets or layered over background paper.
Why is it called junk journaling?
Because the materials are things people usually throw away: envelopes, packaging, receipts, junk mail and old book pages. "Junk" means humble, everyday paper given a second life, not dirty trash. Many junk journalers keep a box of useful scraps instead of recycling them.
What are good things to put in a journal?
Good things to put in a junk journal include ticket stubs, receipts, postcards, photos, pressed flowers, tea tags, labels, handwritten notes, maps, book pages, stickers and washi tape. Add a few words about why each item matters so the page means something when you look back.
Start your first junk journal
Pick a base book, raid your recycling for paper, and make one spread this week. When you are ready to add color and texture, browse our stickers and ephemera collection for collage paper, parchment and vintage stickers, and our washi tape collection for sets in mixed widths. US orders ship for a flat $6.99, and orders of $79 or more ship free. Find the papers that fit your first theme in the stickers and ephemera collection.
