Junk Journaling for Beginners: The Complete Guide
Junk journaling is the art of making a handmade book out of bits and
pieces you would usually throw away: old envelopes, ticket stubs, scrap
paper, packaging, magazine pages, and whatever else has a little life
left in it. There are no rules, no skill requirements, and no expensive
supplies, which is exactly why it has become one of the most
beginner-friendly paper crafts around.
If you have ever saved a pretty receipt or a card you could not bring
yourself to bin, you already have the instinct for this. Most people who
try junk journaling are not artists. They are folks who like the idea of
slowing down, working with their hands, and turning a pile of “junk”
into something they actually want to keep. You do not need a single new
thing to begin today.
Two things trip up almost every beginner, and we will get to both:
the urge to buy a cart full of supplies before you have made a single
page, and the fear that your first journal has to look like the polished
ones you see online. Neither is true, and both are easy to sidestep once
you know what is going on.
The short version: A junk journal is a DIY book of
repurposed paper and ephemera. You can start with a notebook (or an old
book), a glue stick, and a shoebox of saved scraps. Spend nothing to
begin, and add supplies only once you know what you actually reach for.
Your first pages are meant to be messy. That is the whole point.
What is a junk journal?
A junk journal is a handmade or repurposed book filled with collaged
paper scraps, ephemera, and mixed media instead of plain blank pages.
Think of it as a cross between a scrapbook, an art journal, and a diary,
with the freedom to use whatever materials you have on hand.
The “junk” part is literal, and friendly. The pages are built from
things most people discard: brown paper bags, sheet music, book pages,
fabric scraps, stamps, maps, dictionary pages, and packaging with nice
colors or textures. Some people keep theirs purely decorative. Some
write in them like a diary. Plenty use them as a memory keeper for a
trip or a season. There is no correct way to fill one, and that freedom
is a big part of why it sticks.
If you want the full breakdown of what goes inside one and how it
differs from a scrapbook or a smash book, we cover that in what is a junk journal. For now, the
one-line definition is enough to start.
Why do people love junk
journaling?
People love junk journaling because it is cheap, low-pressure, and
almost impossible to do wrong. You are working with materials that were
already headed for the recycling bin, so there is nothing precious to
“waste” and no wrong move to make.
A few reasons it tends to stick once people try it:
- It costs almost nothing to start. Your raw
materials are things you already own. The barrier to entry is a glue
stick. - There are no rules. No straight lines to keep, no
rubric, no “right” aesthetic. Crooked and layered is a feature, not a
mistake. - It is genuinely relaxing. Tearing, gluing, and
arranging is repetitive in the good way, the kind of quiet handwork that
gives your brain a rest from screens. - It turns clutter into something you want. That
drawer of saved cards, stamps, and ticket stubs finally has a home. - It grows with you. Beginners make simple collaged
pages. A year in, the same people are binding their own books and dyeing
paper with tea. It scales to whatever you want it to be.
The honest truth about your first journal: It will
look like a beginner made it, because one did. Every junk journaler you
admire has an ugly first book in a drawer somewhere. Make the ugly one
on purpose and get it out of the way. Page ten will already look
different from page one.
What do you need to
start a junk journal?
To start a junk journal you need three things: something to be the
book, something to stick things down with, and a small pile of paper
“junk” to fill it. Everything beyond that is optional and can wait until
you know your own style.
Here is the true starter list, the version that costs you nothing or
close to it:
- A base book. A cheap notebook, a composition book,
a sketchbook, or an old hardback you do not mind cutting up. Many
beginners start by turning a thrifted book into their first journal,
which we walk through in how to
make a junk journal from an old book. - A glue stick or PVA glue. A basic glue stick is
plenty for paper. You can upgrade later once you know what you are
sticking down. - Scissors. Any pair you own.
- Your “junk.” Start a small box and toss in
envelopes, packaging, cards, stamps, magazine pages, scrap fabric, sheet
music, and anything with a texture or color you like.
That is the whole kit. We deliberately keep this short because the
most common beginner mistake is buying a haul of stickers, washi tape,
and ephemera packs before making a single page, then feeling stuck under
a pile of stuff. Make a few pages first. You will learn fast what you
actually reach for.
When you are ready to add to your stash thoughtfully, our junk journal supplies guide covers
the essentials worth owning, the nice-to-haves, and where to find free
and cheap materials (the dollar store and thrift shops carry more than
you would think). And if you would rather start with a ready-made
bundle, see our roundup of junk journal
kits, including free printable kits you can download.
How do you start a
junk journal? (Step by step)
Starting a junk journal comes down to four steps: pick your base,
gather your scraps, build a simple first page, and keep going without
overthinking it. You can do all four in a single afternoon.
- Choose your base book. Decide whether you are
working in a notebook or transforming an old book. Either is fine. A
notebook is the easiest place to begin. - Gather and sort your junk. Empty your scrap box
onto the table and loosely group by color or type. You will start to see
combinations you like. - Make your first page. Pick a background (a book
page, patterned scrap, or paint wash), glue down two or three layers,
and add one focal piece like a photo, a stamp, or a ticket. Done. - Keep a loose rhythm. A page every few days beats a
marathon you never repeat. The habit is the craft.
That is the high-level version. For a fuller walkthrough with
beginner tips on first pages, pockets, and building a routine, head to
how to junk journal, our
step-by-step starter guide. New to crafting entirely and want the
gentlest on-ramp? Start with junk journals for
beginners.
Junk journal ideas to try
first
The best first ideas are the simple ones: a collaged background, a
pocket for tucking in keepsakes, and a themed spread around something
you care about. Start small and let pages stay messy while you find your
style.
A few beginner-friendly ideas to get going:
- A layered background page. Glue down a book page, a
strip of patterned paper, and a stamp. Nothing else needed. - A pocket page. Glue an envelope or folded paper to
the page and tuck in tags, notes, or photos. Interactive pages are the
ones people flip back to. - A memory or travel spread. Collect ticket stubs,
maps, and receipts from one trip onto a single spread. - A themed page. Pick a mood (vintage, garden,
gothic, cozy) and pull only scraps that fit it.
For dozens more layouts, including pockets, tucks, and fold-outs, see
our junk journal page ideas. The
cover is its own kind of fun, so when you are ready to dress up the
outside, we have a gallery of junk
journal cover ideas too.
Junk
journal vs scrapbook vs smash book: what is the difference?
A junk journal, a scrapbook, and a smash book overlap a lot, and the
lines are blurry on purpose. The simplest way to tell them apart is by
how structured and how “finished” each one tends to be.
| Type | Main idea | How structured |
|---|---|---|
| Junk journal | A handmade book of repurposed paper and ephemera; layered and tactile |
Low. No rules, messy is welcome |
| Scrapbook | Curated photos and memories laid out on themed pages | High. Often planned and polished |
| Smash book | A grab-and-go book you “smash” things into quickly | Very low. Fast and casual |
In practice, most people mix all three without thinking about labels.
If you are gluing saved bits into a book and enjoying it, you are doing
it right. If the differences matter to you, we go deeper in what is a junk journal.
How much does junk
journaling cost?
Junk journaling can cost nothing to start and stays cheap even as a
long-term hobby. Your core materials are free (saved scraps and paper),
and the few tools you do buy, like glue and scissors, are inexpensive
and last a long time.
Here is a rough sense of where money goes if and when you choose to
spend it:
- Free to start: notebook or old book you already
own, a glue stick from a drawer, saved paper and ephemera. - A small starter spend (low double digits): a bottle
of PVA glue, a craft scissors, a roll or two of washi tape, and a pack
of printables. - Optional upgrades over time: ephemera packs, a bone
folder, ink and stamps, a paper trimmer, or pre-cut kits.
The cheapest way to grow your stash is free printables. We keep a
regularly updated roundup of free junk journal printables,
from vintage paper to tags and pockets, so you can fill pages without
spending a thing.
Before you spend a dollar: Make five pages with only
what you already have. By page five you will know whether you like flat
collage or chunky layered pages, whether you reach for vintage or bright
colors, and which “junk” you keep wishing you had more of. That
knowledge is worth more than any starter haul.
How do you make the actual
book?
Once you have caught the bug, the next step many people take is
binding their own book instead of using a notebook. This means folding
paper into small stacks called signatures and stitching them into a
cover, which gives you full control over size, paper, and pockets.
It sounds intimidating and is not. A basic junk journal can be sewn
together with a needle, thread, and a few folded pages in under an hour.
If you would rather start with a base you do not have to build, see our
picks for the best journal
for junk journaling, which covers blank books, composition books,
and handmade options by budget and skill level. When you are ready to
build from scratch, we have a full construction tutorial on the way for
binding signatures, adding pockets, and finishing covers.
Common junk journaling
mistakes to avoid
The most common beginner mistakes are overbuying supplies, chasing a
perfect look, and waiting for the “right” idea before starting. All
three keep you from the part that actually makes you better, which is
making pages.
Watch for these:
- Buying before making. A cart full of ephemera will
not teach you your style. Pages will. - Aiming for perfect. Layered and imperfect is the
aesthetic. Crooked is fine. - Hoarding the good stuff. That pretty paper you are
“saving” is meant to be used. Use it. - Comparing page one to someone’s year three.
Everyone started ugly. Keep going. - Overthinking the theme. You do not need a concept.
Glue something down and see what happens.
Frequently
asked questions about junk journaling
What is the point of a junk
journal?
The point is the making, not the result. A junk journal gives you a
low-pressure, screen-free way to work with your hands, use up saved odds
and ends, and keep memories or ideas in a book that is entirely your
own. Some people use theirs as a diary or memory keeper, others purely
as a creative outlet.
Do I need to be
artistic to junk journal?
No. Junk journaling is built for non-artists. You are arranging and
gluing existing materials, not drawing or painting from scratch. If you
can tear paper and use a glue stick, you can junk journal.
What kind of book
do I use for a junk journal?
Any book works: a cheap notebook, a composition book, a sketchbook,
or an old hardback you repurpose. Beginners often start with a notebook
for simplicity, then move on to transforming thrifted books or binding
their own.
What do you put in a junk
journal?
Repurposed paper and ephemera: envelopes, book and sheet-music pages,
stamps, tickets, maps, fabric scraps, packaging, magazine cutouts, tags,
and printables. Anything flat (or flat enough) with a color or texture
you like is fair game.
How do I start a
junk journal with no supplies?
Grab a notebook, a glue stick, and a handful of saved paper, then
make one collaged page. That is a real start. Everything else, from
washi tape to ephemera packs, is optional and best added later once you
know your style.
Start your first junk
journal today
Junk journaling rewards starting more than planning. You do not need
the perfect supplies, the perfect idea, or any artistic skill, just a
book, some glue, and a willingness to make a few messy pages while you
find your style.
Pick your base, pull out that box of saved scraps, and glue something
down today. When you want a hand, we have you covered at every step: the
full supplies guide, our step-by-step starter, pages of layout ideas, and a stash of free printables to fill your
first pages.
Want a head start? Grab our free junk journal
starter kit, a printable bundle of vintage paper, tags, and pockets you
can print at home and glue straight into your first book. Sign up below
and we will send it over.
