The Best Journal for Junk Journaling (How to Choose Your Base)

The best journal for junk journaling is one with sturdy, slightly
textured paper, a binding that lies flat, and room to swell as you add
layers. For most people that means a mixed-media book, a composition
book, or a handmade journal, depending on budget and how much building
you want to do.

There is no single “best” book, and anyone who tells you otherwise is
selling one. The right base depends on what you are doing: a beginner
testing the waters wants something cheap and forgiving, while someone
who layers heavily needs thicker paper and a binding that can take the
bulk. This guide sorts the options by who they are for, so you can pick
with confidence instead of guessing.

We will walk through what actually matters in a base journal, then
the best types for different needs, and finally whether you should buy
one or make your own. By the end you will know exactly what to look
for.

The short version: For most beginners, a mixed-media
book or a plain composition book is the sweet spot: cheap, sturdy paper
that takes glue and a little moisture. Layer-heavy journalers want thick
pages and a binding that lies flat. Want full control of size and paper?
Make your own or upcycle an old hardback.

What makes a good junk
journal base?

A good junk journal base has paper heavy enough to take glue without
buckling, a binding that opens flat, and enough room at the spine for
the bulk you add. Those three things matter far more than the brand on
the cover.

What to look for:

• Paper weight. Thin notebook paper wrinkles and
  bleeds. Mixed-media or cardstock-weight pages (heavier paper) hold glue,
  paint, and ephemera far better.
• Binding that lies flat. Spiral, disc, and hand-sewn
  bindings open flat so you can work across a spread. Tightly glued spines
  fight you.
• Spine room. Junk journals swell as you add layers.
  A book with a flexible or expandable spine handles the bulk; a slim,
  rigid one pops open.
• Page count and size. Fewer, thicker pages beat many
  thin ones. A6 to A5 sizes are easy for beginners; larger gives more room
  to play.

If you would rather build a base with exactly these traits, see how to make a junk journal from an
old book.

The best types
of journals for junk journaling

The best base depends on your needs, so here are the main types and
who each one suits. Match the book to how you work, not to a trend.

Best for beginners: the
composition book

A plain composition book is cheap, widely available, and surprisingly
sturdy, which makes it the easiest no-pressure starting point. The sewn
signatures lie reasonably flat, and because it costs so little, you will
not feel precious about experimenting. Glue a few pages together
back-to-back to thicken them and it handles layers fine.

Best paper quality: the
mixed-media book

A mixed-media book has thick, slightly textured pages made to take
wet media, so it holds glue, paint, and ephemera without buckling. If
you want pages that behave from day one and you are willing to spend a
little more, this is the most forgiving option. Look for a lay-flat or
spiral binding.

Best for
layering: the spiral or disc-bound book

Spiral and disc-bound books open completely flat and have flexible
spines that swell to fit heavy layers without straining. If you build
chunky, ephemera-packed pages, this binding takes the abuse better than
a glued spine. Disc systems also let you add and rearrange pages.

Best for a vintage
look: an upcycled hardback

An old hardback gives you an authentic vintage cover and spine for
the price of a thrift-store find. You remove some pages to make room,
then add your own, which is a core junk journaling technique. It is the
cheapest route to real vintage character.

Best for full control:
a handmade journal

Making your own lets you choose the exact size, paper, and number of
pockets, with a spine built to expand. It takes more time but gives you
a base nothing off the shelf can match. Many journalers graduate to this
once they know their style.

Buy this if you are unsure: A mixed-media book. It
is the most forgiving base for a beginner because the thick paper takes
glue and a little moisture without wrinkling, which removes the single
most common early frustration. You can always move to composition books
or handmade journals once you know how you like to work.

Should you buy a journal
or make one?

Buy a journal if you want to start today with zero fuss; make one if
you want control over size, paper, and pockets. Both are valid, and many
people do both: a store-bought book to learn on, then handmade once they
know their style.

Buying wins on speed and consistency. Making (or upcycling) wins on
cost, character, and customization. If you are brand new, buy or upcycle
something cheap and start now. The perfect handmade journal can wait
until you have a few pages under your belt. For the materials either
way, see the junk journal supplies
list.

How much
should you spend on a junk journal base?

You can spend nothing by upcycling a book you own, or a modest amount
on a mixed-media or spiral book. There is no need to spend a lot,
especially when you are starting out and still finding your style.

A sensible approach: start cheap (a composition book or a thrifted
hardback), and only invest in a nicer mixed-media or disc-bound book
once you know you enjoy the craft and how you like to work. Spending
more on paper quality is worth it eventually, but not on day one.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of
notebook is best for junk journaling?

A mixed-media book or a composition book is best for most people.
Mixed-media books have thick paper that takes glue and paint without
buckling, while composition books are cheap and sturdy for beginners.
Both beat thin lined notebooks.

Can I use a
regular notebook for a junk journal?

Yes, but thin pages wrinkle and may bleed when you add glue or
moisture. Gluing pages back-to-back to thicken them helps. For heavier
layering, a mixed-media or spiral book holds up much better.

What size should a junk
journal be?

A6 to A5 are easy, portable sizes for beginners, while larger books
give more room to layer. There is no rule, so choose the size that fits
how and where you like to work.

Is it cheaper to
make or buy a junk journal?

Making or upcycling is cheaper, especially if you start with a
thrifted hardback and paper you already have. Buying a ready-made book
costs more but saves time and gives consistent paper quality.

What paper weight
is best for junk journaling?

Heavier paper, around cardstock or mixed-media weight, holds glue,
paint, and ephemera without wrinkling. Thin notebook paper works for
light collage but buckles under wet glue and heavy layers.

Choose your base and start

The best journal for junk journaling is the one that gets you making
pages. If you are unsure, grab a mixed-media book or a cheap composition
book and begin, then explore handmade or upcycled bases once you know
your style.

When you have your base, fill it using our page ideas, gather the rest of your
kit with the supplies list, or
read the complete beginner’s guide for
the full picture.

Want to try before you invest? Our free printable
starter kit lets you build pages in any notebook you already own. Sign
up below and we will send it over.