What Is a Junk Journal? (And What to Put in One)
A junk journal is a handmade or repurposed book filled with collaged
paper scraps, ephemera, and mixed media instead of plain blank pages. It
is part scrapbook, part art journal, and part diary, built from
materials most people would throw away, with no rules about how it
should look or what goes inside.
The word “junk” is the key to the whole idea. The pages are made from
things headed for the recycling bin: old envelopes, book pages,
packaging, tickets, stamps, and scrap paper. You collect that “junk,”
layer it into a book, and the result is something personal and tactile.
People use junk journals as diaries, memory keepers, creative outlets,
or simply as a relaxing way to work with their hands.
This page answers the common questions clearly: what a junk journal
actually is, how it differs from a scrapbook or smash book, what it is
used for, and what you put inside. If you want to start one after
reading, we will point you to the right next step.
The short version: A junk journal is a DIY book of
repurposed paper and ephemera, collaged into pages. It overlaps with
scrapbooks (more photo-focused and planned) and smash books (faster and
more casual) but is looser and more layered than both. There are no
rules: write in it, decorate it, or both.
What is a junk journal,
exactly?
A junk journal is a book, often handmade or made from a repurposed
one, whose pages are built from layered paper scraps and ephemera rather
than left blank. The appeal is that it turns discarded, everyday
materials into something beautiful and personal.
A few things define it:
- Repurposed materials. The pages and contents come
from “junk”: book pages, packaging, mail, fabric scraps, and found
paper. - Layered and tactile. Pages are collaged with
overlapping paper, pockets, and texture, not written on a flat blank
sheet. - No rules. There is no correct layout, theme, or
skill level. Imperfect and personal is the point. - Mixed purpose. It can be decorative, a diary, a
memory book, or all three at once.
If you want the full hobby walkthrough rather than just the
definition, our complete guide to junk
journaling covers getting started, supplies, and ideas.
Junk journal vs
scrapbook vs smash book
The difference is mostly about structure and focus: scrapbooks are
planned and photo-led, smash books are fast and casual, and junk
journals are layered, tactile, and rule-free. In practice they overlap,
and many people blend all three.
| Type | Main focus | How structured | Typical materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junk journal | Repurposed paper and ephemera, collaged | Low, no rules | Book pages, ephemera, fabric, found paper |
| Scrapbook | Photos and memories, curated | High, often planned | Photos, cardstock, themed embellishments |
| Smash book | Quick capture of bits and mementos | Very low, casual | Tickets, notes, stickers, whatever fits |
| Art journal | Painting, drawing, mixed media art | Varies | Paint, ink, collage, mixed media |
The honest takeaway: the labels matter less than what you enjoy. If
you are gluing saved bits into a book, you are junk journaling, even if
it borrows from the others.
What is a junk journal used
for?
People use junk journals as creative outlets, diaries, memory
keepers, and planners, or just as a relaxing hobby. There is no single
purpose, which is part of why the craft appeals to such different
people.
Common uses:
- A creative outlet. Collaging pages is a
low-pressure way to make something with no skill required. - A diary or journal. Many people write entries among
the layers, mixing words and visuals. - A memory keeper. Travel mementos, ticket stubs,
photos, and keepsakes get a home. - A themed keepsake. Gardening, reading, recipes, or
a single trip can each get their own journal. - A relaxation practice. The repetitive, hands-on
work is calming and screen-free.
Why people get hooked: A junk journal is one of the
few crafts with no failure state. You are rescuing things you would have
thrown out, so nothing is wasted and nothing can be “ruined.” That
low-stakes feeling is exactly what makes it so relaxing, and why people
who start one rarely stop at one.
What do you put in a junk
journal?
You put repurposed paper and ephemera in a junk journal: book pages,
envelopes, tickets, stamps, packaging, fabric, photos, tags, and
writing. Anything flat (or flat enough) with a color, texture, or memory
attached is fair game.
Common contents:
- Paper: book and dictionary pages, sheet music,
scrapbook paper, kraft paper, printables. - Ephemera: tickets, receipts, stamps, postcards,
labels, maps, tea wrappers. - Textiles and bits: lace, ribbon, fabric scraps,
buttons, twine. - Personal pieces: photos, handwritten notes, quotes,
pressed flowers, keepsakes. - Interactive elements: pockets, tags, and tuck spots
for tucking things in.
For a complete rundown of materials and where to find them cheap or
free, see the junk journal supplies
list and our free
printables roundup.
Do you have to write in
a junk journal?
No, writing is optional. Some people keep theirs purely visual, some
use them as a daily diary, and many land somewhere in between with
occasional notes, quotes, or dates. The journal is yours to use however
you like.
That flexibility is a feature. If you love to write, a junk journal
gives your words a rich, layered backdrop. If you do not, it works just
as well as a visual collage book. Neither approach is more “correct”
than the other.
How do you start a junk
journal?
You start by choosing a base book, gathering some saved paper, and
collaging your first page. It takes very little: a notebook, a glue
stick, and a handful of scraps are enough to begin today.
We keep the full walkthrough separate so this page can stay focused
on what a junk journal is. When you are ready to make one, our step-by-step guide to junk journaling
takes you from blank book to first page, and junk journals for beginners has
easy first projects.
Frequently asked questions
What is the point of a junk
journal?
The point is the making and the keeping: a low-pressure, hands-on way
to use up saved materials and hold memories or ideas in a personal book.
Some use theirs as a diary, others purely as a creative or relaxing
outlet.
What
is the difference between a junk journal and a scrapbook?
A scrapbook is usually planned and photo-focused with curated pages,
while a junk journal is looser, layered, and built from repurposed paper
and ephemera. Junk journals have no rules; scrapbooks tend to follow a
plan.
What do you put in a junk
journal?
Repurposed paper and ephemera: book pages, envelopes, tickets,
stamps, packaging, fabric, photos, tags, and writing. Anything flat with
a color, texture, or memory attached can go in.
Do you write in a junk
journal?
Only if you want to. Some journals are purely visual collage, some
are written diaries, and many mix both. There is no requirement to
include words.
Is junk journaling
the same as smash booking?
They are close. A smash book is a quick, casual book you “smash”
mementos into, while a junk journal is usually more layered and
handmade. The two overlap, and people often blend the approaches.
Ready to make one?
Now that you know what a junk journal is, the best next step is to
make a single page and feel it for yourself. It needs almost nothing to
start, and the first page is where the whole craft clicks.
From here, our step-by-step guide
gets your first page going, the supplies list covers what you need,
and the complete beginner’s guide ties
it all together.
Want to start today? Our free printable starter kit
gives you vintage paper, tags, and pockets to fill your first pages.
Sign up below and we will send it over.
