If you’ve spent any time on TikTok, Instagram, or Pinterest lately, chances are you’ve seen beautifully layered journals filled with vintage paper scraps, handwritten notes, pressed flowers, ticket stubs, or photographs. These handmade creations are called junk journals, and they’ve quickly become one of the most popular DIY crafting trends online.
But what is a junk journal?
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At its core, a junk journal is a handmade journal created using recycled, repurposed, or collected materials. Instead of starting with a traditional notebook full of blank pages, junk journal creators build layered spreads using old book pages, envelopes, receipts, postcards, fabric, and meaningful keepsakes.
Part scrapbook, part diary, and part mixed-media art project, junk journaling gives creators freedom to experiment with texture, storytelling, and self-expression.
What Makes a Junk Journal Different?
Unlike traditional planners or notebooks, junk journals don’t follow strict rules, layouts, or formats. The “junk” simply refers to the everyday materials and found objects used to create them.
Some people use junk journals as travel diaries, memory books, art journals, or gratitude journals. Others use them as a creative outlet to experiment with collage techniques, layered textures, and mixed-media design.
No two junk journals are exactly alike. Every page reflects the personality, memories, and creativity of the person making it.
Why Junk Journaling Has Become So Popular
Junk journaling has experienced a major resurgence thanks to social media creators sharing flip-through videos, vintage-inspired spreads, and DIY tutorials.
Part of the appeal is that junk journaling feels approachable. You don’t need expensive supplies or professional artistic skills to get started. In fact, many people begin with items they already have around the house.
It also taps into several trends that have grown in popularity:
- Sustainability and Upcycling: Junk journals encourage reusing paper goods and sentimental items instead of throwing them away. Old envelopes, packaging, paper bags, and scraps can all become part of a creative project.
- Relaxing Creativity: Many people are drawn to junk journaling because it offers a calming, hands-on creative escape from screens and busy schedules. Cutting paper, layering textures, stamping pages, and arranging small details can feel surprisingly meditative.
- Personalized Storytelling: Junk journals allow creators to document memories in a highly personal way. Instead of rigid templates, every page becomes an artistic reflection of a moment, mood, or experience.
- Vintage and Handmade Aesthetics: The layered, imperfect look of junk journals aligns perfectly with the growing appreciation for handmade crafts and vintage-inspired design.
- Fun Activities for Kids: Junk journals can also be a fun, screen-free activity. Because there are no strict rules or expectations, children can experiment freely with textures, stickers, stamps, and layering materials without worrying about making mistakes.
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How to Make a Junk Journal
If you’re wondering how to make a junk journal, the good news is that there’s no single “right” way. You can make one as simple or elaborate as you’d like. Here’s a beginner-friendly process to help you get started.
Step 1: Choose Your Journal Base
The first step is deciding what you’ll use as the foundation for your journal. Some popular options include:
- An old hardcover book
- A blank notebook
- A binder
- Handmade folded paper signatures
- A composition notebook
- A traveler’s notebook
Many junk journal creators enjoy repurposing vintage books because they already have character and texture.
Step 2: Gather Junk Journal Supplies
One of the most fun parts of junk journaling is collecting materials. Your junk journal supplies can come from craft stores, thrift shops, antique stores, or items you already have at home. Here are some common supplies you can start with:
Paper and Background Materials
- Scrapbook paper
- Vintage book pages
- Music sheets
- Old letters
- Paper bags
- Envelopes
Decorative Elements
- Custom stamps
- Ink pads
- Ephemera packs
- Dried flowers
- Stamps
- Tags and labels
- Stickers
- Ribbon and lace
- Fabric scraps
Adhesives and Tools
- Glue sticks
- Double-sided tape
- Scissors
Step 3: Create and Layer Your Pages
Once you’ve gathered supplies, begin building your pages. Junk journaling is all about layering textures and combining materials in visually interesting ways. You can:
- Glue vintage paper onto a page
- Add photos or postcards
- Attach envelopes that hold notes or keepsakes
- Stamp dates, quotes, or designs onto pages
- Include handwritten journaling
There’s no pressure to make every page look polished or perfect. In fact, the layered, imperfect, handmade feel is part of the charm. Every page captures a moment, memory, or creative impulse in a uniquely personal way.
Step 4: Add Interactive Elements
Many junk journals include fold-outs, pockets, flip pages, and hidden notes. These interactive details make the journal feel more personal and tactile. You can create:
- Envelope pockets
- Folded inserts
- Mini tags
- Secret journaling spaces
- Tucked-away photographs
- Pull-out cards
Step 5: Personalize Your Journal
This is where junk journals truly come to life. Personalization transforms a collection of paper scraps into something meaningful and memorable. One of the easiest and most creative ways to personalize a junk journal is with custom stamps.
Using Custom Stamps in Junk Journals
Custom stamps are a perfect addition to junk journaling because they combine creativity, consistency, and personalization.
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Instead of handwriting the same phrases repeatedly, custom stamps allow you to quickly add decorative and meaningful touches throughout your journal. A few well-designed stamps can completely elevate the look of your pages.
Some of the most popular stamp ideas for junk journals include:
- Date Stamps: Date stamps are perfect for documenting memories, travel entries, and daily reflections. Adding dates helps create a timeline throughout your journal while also giving pages a vintage-inspired aesthetic.
- Monogram Stamps: Custom monogram stamps add a personal signature to your journal pages. They’re especially popular for creators who sell handmade journals or want to give their projects a polished, branded look.
- “This Book Belongs To” Stamps: A custom ownership stamp adds personality right from the inside cover. This small detail can make a handmade junk journal feel even more special and intentional.
- Quote and Phrase Stamps: Many journalers love adding repeated phrases throughout their books. Custom stamps with favorite quotes, affirmations, or short sayings make it easy to create cohesive page designs.
- Decorative Border and Pattern Stamps: Simple decorative stamps can help frame photos, add texture, or fill empty spaces on a page.
Create a Custom Stamp with your own text and artwork.
Why Stamps Work So Well for Junk Journaling
Stamps work especially well in junk journals because they combine creativity with consistency. They can instantly add texture, layering, and personality while helping pages feel cohesive throughout the journal.
Custom stamps make it easy to create a signature style. Whether you prefer vintage-inspired layouts, minimalist spreads, or heavily layered collage pages, stamps can become recurring design elements that tie everything together.
Junk Journaling Ideas for Beginners
If you’re feeling overwhelmed about where to start, here are some beginner-friendly junk journaling ideas.
- Create a Travel Journal: Save ticket stubs, maps, brochures, receipts, and photos from a trip and turn them into a creative travel keepsake.
- Make a Seasonal Journal: Create pages inspired by autumn leaves, winter holidays, spring flowers, or summer adventures.
- Start a Daily Memory Journal: Document small everyday moments using photos, handwritten notes, and stamped dates.
- Build a Vintage-Themed Journal: Use antique book pages, sepia tones, old postcards, and distressed paper techniques for a nostalgic aesthetic.
- Create an Art and Inspiration Journal: Collect quotes, magazine cutouts, color palettes, sketches, and ideas that inspire you.
- Use it as a Gratitude Journal: Combine journaling with collage art by documenting things you’re thankful for.
- Create with Kids: Junk journaling is a great activity for little kids with short attention spans who aren’t concerned with perfection. This tactile activity gives them an outlet to be messy and creative without the pressure.
Tips for Creating Beautiful Junk Journal Pages
The number one rule of junk journaling is that there are no rules! As you experiment with junk journaling, keep these tips in mind:
- Don’t Overthink It: Junk journals are meant to feel layered, messy, organic, and handmade. Imperfections add character.
- Mix Textures: Combining paper, fabric, stamps, and handwritten notes creates depth and visual interest.
- Stick to a Loose Color Palette: Using a few consistent colors can help pages feel cohesive even when layering many different materials.
- Use Repetition: Repeating certain stamps, labels, or design elements throughout the journal creates continuity.
- Keep Collecting Materials: Many junk journal creators keep small bins or folders for collecting interesting papers and ephemera they find over time.
Where to Find Junk Journal Supplies
One of the best things about junk journaling is that inspiration and supplies can come from almost anywhere.
You might press flowers or leaves collected on a walk, save ticket stubs from concerts and trips, or repurpose old letters and packaging that would otherwise be thrown away. Everyday objects suddenly become creative materials with sentimental value.
Popular places to find junk journal supplies include:
- Thrift stores
- Antique malls
- Flea markets
- Craft stores
- Estate sales
- Stationery shops
- Old books and magazines
Even simple items like tissue paper, tags, envelopes, and paper packaging can add beautiful texture and personality to your pages.
Design Your Junk Journal with a Custom Stamp
Whether you’re preserving memories, experimenting with mixed media art, or simply looking for a relaxing creative hobby, junk journaling offers endless opportunities for self-expression.
And while there are countless ways to personalize your journal, custom stamps are among the easiest to add consistency, personality, and artistic flair to every page.
With The StampMaker, you can create fully customized stamps for junk journaling, scrapbooking, crafting, and creative projects of all kinds.
Ready to start customizing your own junk journal? Explore stamp options and easily create your own custom stamp design.