A junk journal is a handmade book created from recycled, repurposed, and mixed materials. Unlike store-bought notebooks or traditional scrapbooks, junk journals celebrate imperfection and creative reuse. Old book pages, scrap paper, envelopes, cardstock, and found ephemera all become raw material for a one-of-a-kind journal that is entirely your own.
The word “junk” does not mean trash. It means taking everyday materials you already have and transforming them into something beautiful and personal. Whether you use your junk journal for memory keeping, art journaling, daily writing, or simply as a creative outlet, the process of making one is just as rewarding as using the finished product.
This step-by-step guide walks you through everything you need to know to make your first junk journal from scratch, from gathering supplies to binding your pages and adding creative details.
What Is a Junk Journal
A junk journal is a handmade book assembled from a variety of paper types and mixed media materials. The pages can include old book pages, scrapbook paper, kraft paper, envelopes, napkins, paper bags, music sheets, and anything else that inspires you. No two junk journals look alike because every maker uses different materials and techniques.
Junk journals differ from art journals and traditional scrapbooks in a few important ways. Art journals typically focus on painting, drawing, and mixed media art on blank pages. Scrapbooks preserve photos in structured layouts with coordinated supplies. Junk journals sit somewhere in between. They embrace texture, layers, and a handmade aesthetic that comes from combining many different paper types and found materials into a single book.
The junk journal movement has grown rapidly because the barrier to entry is low. You do not need expensive supplies or special training. You just need paper, something to bind it with, and a willingness to experiment. For more project inspiration, see our collection of junk journal ideas covering page designs, cover concepts, and creative themes.
Supplies You Need to Get Started
One of the best things about junk journaling is that you probably already have most of the supplies you need at home. Here is a breakdown of the basics, organized by category.
Paper and Pages
The heart of any junk journal is the paper. Gather a mix of different types to create visual variety and texture throughout your book. Good options include old book pages, kraft paper, scrapbook paper scraps, cardstock, watercolor paper, copy paper, brown paper bags, envelopes, file folders, and pages from old calendars or magazines. Mixing weights and textures is part of what gives a junk journal its unique character.
Binding Materials
You need something to hold your pages together. For hand-sewn binding, you will need waxed linen thread or embroidery floss, a large-eye needle, and an awl or thick pushpin for poking holes. For simpler methods, binder clips, staples, or strong adhesive tape can work for smaller journals.
Embellishments
Embellishments add personality and detail to your pages. Useful additions include washi tape, stickers, rubber stamps and ink pads, ribbon, lace, buttons, pressed flowers, vintage postcards, and printed ephemera. Start with what you have and add to your collection over time.
Basic Tools
A few simple tools make the process easier. Keep scissors, a craft knife, a metal ruler, a bone folder for creasing paper, a glue stick or liquid adhesive, and a cutting mat nearby. None of these need to be expensive. For a deeper look at essential crafting tools and materials, visit our scrapbook supplies guide.
Step 1 – Prepare Your Pages
Start by deciding on a size for your journal. A5 (5.8 x 8.3 inches) is a popular choice for beginners because it is large enough to work on but small enough to feel manageable. You can also make a 6×8 inch journal, which works well with many scrapbook paper sizes, or go smaller with an A6 mini journal.
Cut or tear your papers to your chosen size. You do not need to be perfectly precise. Slight variations in size add to the handmade charm of a junk journal. Aim for at least 20 to 30 pages to start with, mixing different paper types throughout.
If you want to give your pages an aged or vintage look, try distressing them before assembly. Tea staining is a popular technique where you brush cooled tea or coffee over the pages and let them dry for a warm, antique tone. You can also ink the edges with a brown or black ink pad, crumple pages and then flatten them out, or lightly sand the surface for texture.
Once your pages are cut and distressed, organize them into signatures. A signature is a small group of pages nested together, usually three to five sheets folded in half. You will bind multiple signatures together to form the complete journal. Stack your signatures in the order you want them to appear and set them aside.
Step 2 – Create the Cover
Your cover protects the journal and sets the tone for the entire book. Choose a sturdy material that can handle being opened and closed repeatedly. Chipboard, the thick cardboard from cereal boxes or shipping packaging, is an excellent free option. You can also use old hardcover book covers, heavy cardstock, or even fabric-wrapped cardboard.
Cut two cover pieces slightly larger than your interior pages, about a quarter inch on each side. This overhang protects the page edges and gives the journal a polished look.
Decorate your cover however you like. Popular techniques include covering the chipboard with patterned paper or fabric using decoupage medium, adding a collage of layered ephemera and images, rubber stamping a title or design, painting with acrylics or watercolors, and wrapping with linen or cotton fabric secured with glue. You can keep the cover simple or make it as elaborate as you want. Some junk journalers add dimensional elements like buttons, charms, lace trim, or ribbon closures to their covers.
Step 3 – Bind Your Journal
Binding is what turns a stack of paper into a book. For your first junk journal, the pamphlet stitch is the easiest method to learn and requires no special equipment beyond a needle, thread, and something to poke holes with.
Three-Hole Pamphlet Stitch
Place one signature inside your cover. Along the spine fold, mark three evenly spaced holes. The middle hole should be at the center, with the top and bottom holes about an inch from each edge. Use an awl, pushpin, or large needle to punch through all layers at each mark.
Thread your needle with about 18 inches of waxed thread. Starting from the outside, push the needle through the center hole. Pull it through, leaving a 3-inch tail on the outside. Go through the top hole from inside to outside. Skip the center hole and go through the bottom hole from outside to inside. Finally, go back through the center hole from inside to outside. You should end up on the same side as your starting tail. Tie the two thread ends together with a square knot and trim.
For a thicker journal, bind multiple signatures separately and then attach them to the cover with additional stitching along the spine. You can also use a coptic stitch, which creates an exposed spine with a decorative chain pattern, though this method takes more practice.
Alternative Methods
If sewing feels intimidating, you can start with simpler approaches. Staple binding works well for mini journals with fewer pages. You can also use binder rings through punched holes, or create a simple accordion fold journal that does not require any binding at all. The goal is to get started, and you can always try more advanced binding techniques on your next journal.
Adding Pockets, Flaps, and Interactive Elements
Interactive elements are what make junk journals so fun to flip through. These additions create hidden spaces, surprise reveals, and extra room for ephemera and keepsakes.
Pockets are the most common addition. Glue an envelope directly onto a page with the opening facing up to create an instant pocket. You can also fold a piece of cardstock into a pocket shape or use library card holders, coin envelopes, or small paper bags. Fill pockets with tags, journaling cards, small photos, or bits of ephemera.
Fold-out pages add an element of surprise. Attach a larger piece of paper folded to fit the page size, so readers can unfold it to reveal hidden content underneath. Flaps work similarly but are attached on one edge and lift up to show text or images beneath.
Tags on string or ribbon are another popular feature. Punch a hole in a tag, thread ribbon through it, and attach the other end to the page with tape or glue. The tag can be pulled out to read or tuck back in. Tip-ins are small pieces of paper or photos attached to a page by just one edge, creating a layered effect. Tuck spots are created by gluing a strip of paper across the bottom of a page to hold cards, tickets, or notes in place.
Junk Journal Page Ideas and Themes
Once your journal is assembled, the real creativity begins. Choosing a theme can help guide your page designs and give the entire journal a cohesive feel, though many junk journalers prefer to work without a specific theme and let each page develop organically.
A vintage or heritage theme works beautifully with aged papers, old photographs, handwritten letters, and muted color palettes. Use sepia tones, lace, and vintage typography to create pages that feel like they belong in another era.
Nature and botanical themes pair well with pressed flowers, leaf prints, garden catalog clippings, and earthy colors. Watercolor washes in greens and browns make lovely backgrounds for botanical pages.
Travel journal themes let you document adventures with maps, ticket stubs, postcards, and destination-specific ephemera. A travel junk journal becomes a meaningful keepsake that captures memories in a way photos alone cannot.
Seasonal themes give you a reason to create all year long. Spring gardens, summer beach days, autumn leaves, and winter holidays each offer distinct color palettes and motifs to build pages around.
Mixed media pages combine techniques like painting, stamping, collage, and hand lettering on a single spread. These pages often become the most visually striking in a journal. For dozens more layout ideas and theme suggestions, explore our complete guide to junk journal ideas.
Tips for Your First Junk Journal
If you are making your first junk journal, keep these tips in mind to make the process enjoyable and set yourself up for success.
- Start small. A mini journal or A6 size is less intimidating than a large format book and lets you practice techniques without a big time commitment.
- Embrace imperfection. Junk journals are meant to look handmade. Rough edges, uneven pages, and visible stitching all add to the character and charm.
- Use what you already have. Look around your home for paper, packaging, old magazines, greeting cards, and craft scraps before buying anything new. The whole point is creative reuse.
- Watch process videos for binding techniques. Seeing someone demonstrate a pamphlet stitch or coptic binding is much easier to follow than written instructions alone.
- Do not over-plan. Some of the best junk journal pages happen spontaneously. Let yourself experiment with materials and see what happens.
- Connect with other makers. The junk journal community is welcoming and full of inspiration. Look for groups on social media, YouTube tutorials, and local craft meetups.
Making a junk journal is one of the most accessible and rewarding paper crafting projects you can try. There are no rules, no mistakes, and no wrong way to do it. Gather some paper, pick up a needle and thread, and start creating something uniquely yours.
For more creative project ideas including page layouts, cover designs, and themed journals, visit our junk journal ideas guide. And if you are looking for curated supplies to get started, check out our journaling projects for inspiration from our design team.