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Today I’d like to share some of my favorite junk journaling supplies! None of these are absolute necessities (except for maybe an adhesive, a pair of scissors and a pen) but they’re fun little additions to a really enjoyable craft.
+ A PHOTO PRINTER // This is the most expensive item and certainly not a necessity, but for me, it’s been worth its weight in gold! I have the Canon Selphy and you can link it right to your phone. It makes printing photos a breeze.
+ AWL // Part of the bookbinding process requires making holes for the string to pass through. I tried a variety of things to accomplish this (including bamboo skewers!) but ultimately invested in this little awl created especially for this purpose. Worth every penny.
+ EXACTO KNIFE // If you want to make a journal from an old hardcover book, a sharp exacto knife is really helpful. I have this Fiskars one and it has worked great for me so far.
+ PAPER CUTTER // I have had the same paper cutter for years and years! I don’t even think they make my version anymore, but this one is very similar.
+ 9×12″ NEWSPRINT PAPER // You can use any type of paper for your interior pages, but I like this Strathmore newsprint because it’s a little bit thicker than printer paper but also not too bulky. I also like using a similar sized children’s “story pad” because it includes an easy place to journal.
+ TINY ATTACHER // Imagine a stapler, but make it teeny and adorable.
+ ADHESIVES // I use a variety of adhesives, depending on the type of paper I’m working with. For most papers, I go for the everyday Elmer’s glue stick. Super cheap and one supply I use a lot! For a slightly heavier paper, I like to use scrapbook rolling adhesive because it holds just a bit better than the glue stick. If I have something really bulky or I’m creating a pocket that will be tugged and pulled on, I choose red line double-sided tape.
+ WASHI TAPE // So versatile and the possibilities are endless. You can use them for decoration or even its own type of adhesive. I bought this set in October 2022 and I still have a ton left. It really goes far.
+ ALPHABET STAMPS // So these are technically for homeschooling, but I like to use them in my journals too! We have this lowercase set from Educational Insights. For ink, I like the StazOn brand because it is supposed to work on all types of surfaces.
+ PENS // I use everything from a cheap Bic Round Stic to Micron pens of various sizes to scrapbook-type pens. Not sure if the Bic will stand the test of time, but I usually just use what I have closest at hand.
I hope to share parts of my January journal soon!
Hi Ashley,
That Canon Selphy printer… Are the pictures it prints comparable in quality to what you might print at a photo center? (Still thinking about buying it.)
Thanks for sharing your junk journaling process/supplies.
God bless,
Melisa
I haven’t had photos printed in a long time, but I would say it’s pretty similar. All of the pictures are coming off of my phone, so better lighting definitely makes for better prints, but I think that’s true regardless of where/how you print. Sorry that that’s not much help!